Van insulation - did we actually decided which was best?

[1664]

I'm approaching the stage where I'm going to re-insulate the van and pop the furniture back in. I know there's been loads of threads on the subject of which is the best materisl to use, foam, 'kingspan', thermowrap etc etc.

By the time this had been munched over by all concerned did we ever come to a definative 'best choice'?

I'm half tempted to not put any in to allow the van to 'breathe' to prevent moisture. I'm not too bothered about noise as I VERY rarely listen to music and generally sing as I drive which would I suppose, explain why I'm so rarely accompanied on my camping trips....................

[dugcati]

I hope to see an answer in this thread as I am the same thoughts.....

[1664]

What do you think of the no insulation at all option? Besides noise there's the loss of heat in winter but to be honest when my propex clicked off the temperature would plummet within seconds anyway even when I did have insulation in there.

I think foam was shot down in flames at some point and I believe folk have been using bubblewrap and all manner of stuff. I know fibreglass wool is a no-no due to it's sponge like qualities.

Oh the agony of choice

[ambivert]

the guys at b&q told me that the green stuff doesn't soak up water at all. however I am starting to wonder if its the best thing for lining a van due to being rather flammable.

[1664]

No I wouldn't fancy anything inflammable much either

[Nicola&Tony]

I've been thinking about this as well recently, 'cos we now have an lt which will probably need insulating. Have looked at a couple of previous threads:

irishkeet's thread

gti mad man's thread

The only bit of personal experience that I can add so far is this. We have camped in some very cold (i.e. below zero) winter temperatures so I added two layers of thermawrap to the inside of the tailgate after reading irishkeet's thread. We sleep with our heads at that end of the bed and putting the thermawrap in has made a noticeable difference to the amount of cold that I used to feel permeating through the tailgate panel.

Having said that, I don't know whether gti's method would be even more effective?

I definitely won't be going for the no insulation option on the lt though. Once the existing interior has been removed, some level of thermal insulation will be going in there.

Tony

[jed the spread]

No I wouldn't fancy anything inflammable much either

Kingspan, it works....

jed

[1664]

Kingspan, it works....jed

Same stuff they use in buildings Jed? Just shove it in there or stick it to the shell?

[HarryMann]

If it juts loose in there there, cold & warm air will just convect around it.. Ideally bonded to outer skin?

[1664]

Gonna waxoyl the skin though. I suppose if it's packed in there nice and tight the air circulation will be cut to a minimum.

[HarryMann]

You cannot 'pack' Kingspan/Celotex tight - i's rigid. Either its in contact all over the skin or its not, if its isn't then condensation will form if warm air can get behind it, which it almost certainly will.

Wasn't all this discussed on the other thread?

When used in roofs its quite normal to use it at the depth of timbers and then seal over the whole area with another layer of thin (1/2" or 1") celotex, to stop airflow completely.

[eatcustard]

What about the stuff you put in lofts.
The Foil with bubbles in (Thermawrap)

[1664]

Wasn't all this discussed on the other thread?

I haven't read through either of the links Tony put up yet as they were put up last night (Thanks Tony). I did read them before but I've forgotton most of it. Gonna have a re-read now.

I wasn't trying to start another 'insulation thread' - i just wanted to know if we had determined a best option.

[HarryMann]

Yes, suppose we need some sort of 'closure' on this

[syncropatrick]

No one has mentioned sheeps wool. I was looking for an environmentally sound loft insulation. I got a small sample from a local shop, but unfortunately the local shop went bust before I made my mind up.

Came pressed into a sheet 2" thick. It was fab stuff - sheets had some flex in them so could feed into awkward gaps, gave sound insulaion as well (remember hi-fi speakers which used to have it stuffed inside?), non itchy, one could pull the sheets apart to get handfuls of wool to stuff into odd spaces. Is'nt wool water repellent as well?

Details at http://www.ecofirst.net/loft-cavity-wall-insulation.asp

I'd love to use it if its appropriate.

cheers
p.