Wall paneling

[rheapup]

Hey guys, just a quick question out of morbid curiosity. After insulating the inside of a van, is putting up wooden panels over it necessary for something or is it just an aesthetic choice?

 

[Reducto]

I've just been leaving the insulation bare. The good stuff (blue stuff or polyiso) is reasonably tough and I haven't been able to do much damage to it other than minor dents.

I am planning on covering it with fabric at some point for looks but it's not at the top of my list right now.

 

[Almost There]

Hey guys, just a quick question out of morbid curiosity. After insulating the inside of a van, is putting up wooden panels over it necessary for something or is it just an aesthetic choice?

Technically necessary - no!

Esthetically necessary - well that depends on you.

If you'd be comfortable in a S&B home with exposed insulation then you'll do fine. I have a friend whose great room at his summer home has exposed pink insulation, vapour barrier and the wall studs. He's even put up all kinds of pictures and wall décor and never needed to dig out the stud finder....

Personally, even bare drywall offends my sense of décor. I can tolerate the bare reflectix inserts for my windows being put in place at dusk but even they will get a fabric treatment soon!

To each their own!

 

[ahh_me2]

I'm currently living in a cube van that I am also doing the build in it, and I can't wait to get to the stage where I can put the wall panelling up.

-I can wipe down the walls, harder to clean blue sm.
-A screw can be put into a panel to support light weight loads, insulation...not so much
-I want it to look/feel like home, not a construction site

In the end it's your own choice as to what makes you happy!

 

[accrete]

we went with covering the insulation with marine grade hull liner fabric _example link_
Five years after install and looks like new.

Have some nice pics at build thread in siggy.

Thom

 

[rheapup]

Thanks for the feedback guys, was thinkin about doing a van build and just wasnt sure if I'd need to get comfortable cutting wood or not. I don't really have an issue with how it looks, I just want it to be functional haha. That marine grade hull liner does look interesting though, I might look more in to that if I end up having extra cash to blow after everything else is all together.

 

[accrete]

the hull liner is easy to come by. I think we have ~$100 or so into what was needed to do our high top conversion. my wife did most of the detail work...you really have to look close before noticing any seam.

: ) Thom

 

[GotSmart]

Hey guys, just a quick question out of morbid curiosity. After insulating the inside of a van, is putting up wooden panels over it necessary for something or is it just an aesthetic choice?

Depends on what you used.  Fiberglass insulation causes respiratory problems if allowed to blow around. It also itches   :dodgy:

 

[highdesertranger]

I would put up some type of something over the insulation. the hull liner looks like a good option if you are in a clean environment. remember that extra layer adds a little more insulation and the hull liner would help with condensation. if you use paneling use real plywood paneling not that particle board paneling. highdesertranger

 

[rheapup]

Depends on what you used.  Fiberglass insulation causes respiratory problems if allowed to blow around. It also itches   :dodgy:

Not planning on using fiberglass, was either gonna do the bubblewrap, reflectix, bubblewrap thing or go with something like that ultra touch denim insulation I've heard about.

 

[GotSmart]

Not planning on using fiberglass, was either gonna do the bubblewrap, reflectix, bubblewrap thing or go with something like that ultra touch denim insulation I've heard about.

The denim also sheds and blows particles.  Cover whatever you do.  There are some great suggestions already posted. Keep it neat and clean.  You will be much happier.

 

[akrvbob]

I've never covered any of my insulation, just left it bare.

To be honest, I wouldn't follow your insulation plan, but maybe I'm wrong--that's happened lots of times!
Bob

 

[akrvbob]

I've never covered any of my insulation, just left it bare.

To be honest, I wouldn't follow your insulation plan, but maybe I'm wrong--that's happened lots of times!
Bob