To be able to experience different cultures and enjoy the view of different spots across the country, at your own pace, is a unique and freeing experience. Travelling vast distances and being comfortable is best done with a camper van but since the sun is unforgiving most of the year, protection is needed in the form of insulation.
Van insulation isn’t only used to keep you warm inside your portable living space as the material itself is able to help control the temperature inside the van. You also make your vehicle more energy efficient and quieter at higher speeds thanks to the sound-dampening properties of insulative materials.
What to Consider in Van Insulation
R-Value
One of the most important factors to consider when searching for camper van insulation is the material’s R-value. Essentially what this represents is how much the insulation slows down convection heat loss. A high R-value radiant barrier for vans is able to provide better insulation as less heat is able to pass through from inside the van.
E-Value
The E-value on insulative materials tells you a lot about how much radiant heat they’re able to absorb. This means that less is better as the inside of your van won’t heat up as much when the sun is shining. This is expressed in percentages between 0 and 1. A material with a high R-value and a low E-value is what you should try to aim for.
Thermal Bridging
Metal is part of every van’s construction and it’s also a way for heat to find its way through insulation. This is what’s called thermal bridging as radiant heat finds the path with least resistance, no or little insulation, to the inside of your van. That’s why you should add thermal brakes in the form of tape, which goes on the frame of the van.
Air Loops
Hot air can also affect how well the insulation you put in your van, does its job. Since hot air tends to rise it can do so and keep itself in hollow spaces such as the roof. This way, especially when the sun shines bright, it can be quite hot inside a metal box which is what a van is. This creates air loops which you should fill up with any insinuative material that fits best in the roof, pillars and frames.
Types of Insulative Materials
Fibreglass
The most commonly used radiant barrier for vans is made of fibreglass. It’s not only affordable but it also works quite well and it can be used to fill up hollow spaces pretty well. What’s not so good with fibreglass batts is that they’re not as easy to work with and can be toxic.
Rock Wool
Also known as mineral wool, rock wool van insulation is better at insulating than fibreglass and it’s also more durable. You can apply rock wool batts more easily than fibreglass ones but don’t expect them to be as affordable. But like fibreglass, rock wool is toxic which is why you should wear a mask when working with it.
Recycled Denim
The most environmentally friendly solution when you’re insulating vans is to use recycled denim which is essentially cotton from blue jeans. This material has the same R-value as fibreglass but it’s not as affordable as it. Recycled denim batts are still more affordable than rock wool batts which makes them a good middle-ground option.
Closed-Cell Foam
The easiest way to insulate your van is to use closed-cell foam which comes in the form of a spray. While it’s not as good at insulating your van as some of the above-mentioned materials it’s definitely a solution to consider as it will take you a lot less time to apply it. This can be a rather costly solution depending on the size of your van.
Insulating Your Van
1. The first thing to do when insulating your van is to strip it down to its bare metal. This is actually the most time-consuming part as you need to take out every bit of plastic and carpet and then clean the areas where you want to place the insulation. The same goes for the existing wall panels which you’ll need to reattach later on.
2. Once your van is emptied out and prepared you should then start to add the insulative material you got. Be it in the form of mats, tape or foam. With mats, it’s easier to cover vertical surfaces while tape is great for horizontal surfaces, especially the roof. Foam can be used on any awkward-shaped areas where the former two just can’t provide good coverage.
3. Be sure to provide provided instructions as not every product is the same even if they’re made of the same material and come in the same form. Once you’re done applying the insulation make sure to double-check if you’ve covered everything. No metal should be visible.
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