What’s the cost of insulating and paneling on a Chevy express.

[Karlamaria]

I’d like to get s Chevy express cargo van, and have it insulated, paneled. And solar added to it. Can someone give me a cost estimate of the cost of materials, along with the solar panels, batteries and inverter ? Also does anyone at the van builders conventions to this work? I don’t know anyone to do the work ere, and I don’t know if I can trust anyone. I really want to start getting a van ready for when I retire in the next year. I need to know how much I’ll be in for and how to go about getting my van ready.

 

[maki2]

You measure the surface area that you need to insulate and panel. Take those measurements to a lumber yard. Lumber yards often have a person on staff who does estimating of materials needed and then quotes a price for the materials. Typically it is a free service. They will need to know the basic measurements and some photos will also help.

The cost of materials depends on the materials you decide to use. It sounds like you may need to hire an installer as well. Having the lumberyard give you a basic cost estimate will help protect you from being overcharged for materials by someone you contract to do the job. Don't be afraid to ask a lumberyard for a cash discount if you do pay with cash, every little bit helps reduce your cost

 

[Scout]

I have a standard chevy express and it took 2 sheets of plywood to do the floor and 3 pieces of paneling to do the walls and ceiling. Those are 4 x 8 ft so just multiply the cost of whatever you want to use.The insulation depends on what you use and how thick you made it.
Bob just put out a video of a carpenter for hire if you need help. Check out my Youtube channel below. I go into detail how I built mine.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

While many people use spray foam with great results, consider a few things before you choose to.

1. Learn what "offgassing" means and how it can effect your health in a tight, small box like that.
2. Make sure you understand how it can trap moisture and affect the metal in your van over the long haul. (AZ life would not worry me...but if I were all-seasons everywhere, watch that moisture.
3. The Styrofoam panels, natural fiber and good ole fiberglass have all been used to insulate the custom box trucks. The builders that do the custom stuff(mobile grooming, bookmobiles, mobile MD offices, FBI vans...) like the plain white styro. You can cut it with a razor, carve it and it glues easily to any surface. Many specs do not allow its use in for-profit truck outfitting however.

Allowing the metal to breathe, rather than sealing as some have with plastic wrap (inside) is better for the van and the mold you may avoid. Open air holes in the bottom/top paneling will be kind to you. (Many carpenters try for a sealed situation.)
If your van is not white, having the roof "wrapped" white will make you smile in the summer.
You are going to LOVE what this does to the noise in your van.

 

[MrNoodly]

This is another of those "It Depends" questions. For example, what sort of temperatures will you be dealing with and how insulated from them do you hope to be? As for paneling, do you want something attractive or merely functional? As for solar, how much it costs depends on how much you get which depends on what you want to be able to run. And it depends on what type of battery or batteries you want to use, since they have pros and cons.