Insulation ideas for the van

[James.rigby]

Hi all i am starting my interior this weekend as was wondering if the thermowrap foil insulation would be sufficient for the interior? has anyone used this before? if so what are your comments on it?

1-AWFUL 2-OK 3-BRILLIANT

All comments appreciated.

cheers

[dugcati]

I rammed this into everywhere in my van and if I'm totally honest I'm not sure it's done a lot, its warmer but by how much I can't really say... bear in mind I drive an air cooled and I also drove in the -18 we have last winter!


I think there is a big part of suggestion with this kind of thing - some people swear it makes a huge difference where as other claim it did nothing (much like them stupid magnetic MPG improver things and split fire spark plugs!)

[James.rigby]

so your thinking using something else aswel as this thermowrap? what recommendations you think mate?

[dugcati]

well, I'm not sure as everything that is suggested seems to get beaten down by someone somewhere along the line

what kind of properties are you looking for? there are a fair few things to consider....
* warmth whilst sleeping
* noise insulation
* cool in summer
* weight
* cost
* what is there existing?
* how much of the van do/can you get to
* how good are your heaters
* do you have a night heater
* can you bear handling fibreglass (asthma/itching etc)
* what kind of bus you have (some of them will never be any good if the hightop is letting heat out or if the pop top doesn't seal or if your not insulating the roof of a tintop....

I tried the thermowrap as it made sense for me to use at that time and I decided that fibreglass/rockwool was too heavy and needed putting in bags and sealing to stop moisture issues - I also didn't think it would work in the doors very well - this is just my opinion though!


Many of the conversions out there had insulation put in them at the time of conversion and I think that some of the bad press is due to people seeing the effects of 15-20 years of rockwool in the bodywork - I do keep thinking about the recycled bottle insulation which works much like rock wool and using it in sealed bags but its the time factor of removing my current insulation and doing it


(I'll stop rambling now!)

[James.rigby]

Well this is the good thing you see, at the moment my van is bare completely bare so i can get access to every where. It will be mainly used for me and the missus but if the kids come along thats when the insulation needs to kick in and keep them warm as us adults can snuggle!! i am planning on just having a few bits and bobs for the interior, like a bed and a tv and will have an awning to hitch onto the side which i will have a kero heater and the cooker in the awning. i will be insulating all the van. I have profited really because i have been given a whole load of this thermowrap but if its not very good and doesnt keep the heat in then maybe its best to insulate it with something else then use the thermowrap as a final layer before the ply so to speak. what you think? will it keep the kids warm enough and keep enough heat in for us adults?

[dugcati]

I dont think using thermowrap as a final layer hasn't been mentioned in any of the previous chatterings about insulation I've seen - that might be a good way to go

What kind of bus do you have - I'm guessing it's a tintop home brew but is it a panel van or does it have windows?

[James.rigby]

Its a panel van mate. so you have any ideas for the main insulation?

[v-lux]

Personally i prefer:
Sound deadening material of choice direct on to panels
For the walls - Rockwool stuffed into bin bags and sealed to form 'pillows'. Shove them in everywhere trying to get rid any air space.
For the ceiling - 25mm Celotex (or similar) glued directly to the roof with temp resistant contact adhesive.
Then a single layer of the silver bubble wrap stuff over everything, preferably silver on both sides.
Layer of polythene as a vapour barrier.
Panels over the top of this with your covering of choice.

The advantage of the rock wool pillows is that it minimises the chance of there being air space near any of the panels. Any air space will create the possibility of condensation, which you don't want but the insulation being contained in the bags means it wont soak up water or let any fibres into the cabin.

Everyone has a different opinion about insulation methods, but from my experience this way works very well.

[James.rigby]

brilliant cheers for that mate. i have just lined the van with the bubble wrap with foil on both sides. then going to buy that insulation in bags then going to cover with ply. that sound ok?

[Plasticman]

your not planning on running a parrafin heater in the awning are you?
mm

[James.rigby]

No not parafin. i will use either a kerosene or an electric one. why you ask?

[Plasticman]

kerosene/parrafin effectivly the same thing, they stink and give off fumes and such tht you really dont want,
mm

[James.rigby]

I use kerosene in work hasnt bothered me but i will be having the kids with me so might be safe to use an electric one:)

[ambibus]

hi, I've just taken all my interior cards off except the driver passenger door cards. I've then taped thermowrap to the inside of the panels using the thermo wrap foil tape. One roll of thermo did both sides tailgate and engine lid but not the load area. My nephew has just converted his T4 and has advised me to put a 2nd layer of 'space blanket' foil covered rock wool in as an extra layer as the thermowrap is still cold to the touch. Wickes have had it on offer 3 rolls for £15 but has just gone up again but is good stuff. Just make sure you seal the foil sleeve with duck tape or foil tape where you cut it. Ta Paul

[James.rigby]

Paul. thats the idea i had in mind. them spacefoils are £5 each in wickes now and even homebase are £4.50. i will definately put some of it when i take my panels back out to carpet/line. I was speaking to a bloke who worked in Jewsons where i bought the plywood from and noticed that he had done a course in insualtion techniques ( mainly for houses) so i spoke to him about this thermo foil and he said it seems to have good enough thermal properties for the purpose of insulating the van. which is always good to hear.