Insulating your campervan can be simple if you know what to look for. Vapour barriers should be installed to stop moisture from seeping into your insulation from seeping into the metal van frame, which could otherwise lead to mould and rust growth.
Wool insulation is your best bet when it comes to minimising thermal bridging, which can lower its effectiveness. Wool also manages condensation better than other materials.
Wool
Wool insulation is an ideal material to use in your campervan, as it is natural and sustainable product that does not release toxic chemicals into the air, safe to breath, fire resistant, reduce condensation and rust and is an effective insulator when combined with radiant barriers or vapor barriers.
Wool insulation can be an ideal way to insulate your van safely, especially since it won’t settle over time and create bare spots. Wool doesn’t settle either and will hold its shape for decades while resisting mold and mildew growth. Another great advantage is noise absorption which helps provide better sleep on trips while it also prevents thermal bridging which occurs within your campervan’s metal frames.
Radiant heat barrier
Radiant heat barriers are thin layers of foil or plastic designed to reflect sunlight away from insulation, thereby decreasing conduction heat transference and providing extra protection from environmental factors – an invaluable addition for campervan insulation!
Convection is another main way that heat transfers through a van, with warmer air rising as cooler air sinks. To reduce convection effects and to protect against further heat transference, it is crucial that both walls and floor of your van be properly insulated to minimize this process.
To prevent moisture from getting between your insulation and metal body of your van, it is wise to choose a non-toxic material with good mold resistance. Spray foam is one option; however, its installation costs can be costly and requires professional application services.
Foam board
As part of your campervan build process, moisture management must be considered carefully. When hot, moist air meets cold metal walls in your van, condensation may form which leads to mold or rust formation if left unmanaged; to avoid this risk it is wise to invest in insulation that effectively manages moisture.
Sheep wool insulation is an eco-friendly, natural, sustainable, non-toxic choice that insulates well while naturally managing moisture and condensation. Additionally, it has sound deadening properties and helps purify the air in your van.
Foam board offers another viable solution, being easily cut into almost any shape and printed using a vinyl cutter. Foam boards are easy to work with and accept paints, felt-tip markers and fabric. Plus they can even be laminated for a striking surface!
Aluminium bubble foil
Insulation is an integral component of any campervan conversion, providing comfort both during winter and summer months. Insulation also lowers condensation risk on cold metal surfaces that could otherwise result in rust through reduced thermal bridging and creating a vapour barrier; combination this approach with ventilation for best results to avoid moisture damage.
Polyisocyanurate or XPS foam board insulation is an excellent choice for insulation purposes, featuring an impressive R-value per inch and being easy to work with. Furthermore, this non-toxic material does not off-gas any hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere.
Spray foam is another cost-effective and simple option that can fill gaps in walls and ceilings quickly and efficiently. Though more costly, its application process is quick and effortless.
Campervan specific insulation
Insulating your campervan should include using materials with high R-Values. These will keep you warm in cold weather while reducing noise and vibration, plus they should be non-toxic, moisture resistant, and environmentally-friendly.
Your insulation requirements depend heavily on where and how you will use your van. For instance, traveling in hot climates might necessitate more insulation than staying put for an extended period.
Kingspan Kooltherm PIR or Celotex boards would make an excellent choice for this application, offering greater thermal resistance than polystyrene insulation boards and are easier to cut to size for easier installation. Furthermore, they’re less costly than alternative insulation options while being suitable for vapour barrier installation as well.