Insulation is key for creating an inviting and comfortable campervan environment, but not all insulations offer equal levels of warmth.
What you want is insulation that slows conductive heat transfer while remaining moisture and mildew resistant, in addition to being non-toxic and eco-friendly.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is ideal for filling any hard-to-reach spots on the van’s metal frame and closing gaps between panels, offering great R-value insulation that’s nontoxic and relatively straightforward to install. Just be sure to hire a professional and take safety precautions.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the type of styrofoam you may be most familiar with. While its initial R-value may be lower than polyiso and XPS foams, its R-value doesn’t reduce over time due to off-gassing or off-gassing emissions.
Any insulation chosen should be moisture-resistant. Because moisture always finds a way into a van, you’ll want something that manages moisture efficiently or can be sealed using a vapor barrier.
Polyisocyanurate (PIR)
Insulation for campervans that has an R-value per inch and is lightweight is often chosen, since this material offers superior R-value per inch as well as being nontoxic and easy to work with.
Moisture-wicking fabric doesn’t retain moisture, which is critical for campervan interiors as condensation can damage them and encourage mold growth. With adequate ventilation in place however, this should become less of an issue.
Vibration from driving can cause other forms of insulation to lose their effectiveness, which makes this material particularly advantageous. Furthermore, it’s eco-friendly: being recyclable makes an enormous contribution towards conserving resources.
Polyisocyanurate Foam Board
Polyiso foam boards are an excellent insulation choice for camper vans. Offering high R-values and easily cuttable to meet odd shapes within a campervan’s walls and ceiling, polyiso insulation makes an eco-friendly choice.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly referred to as Styrofoam, can also provide excellent insulation in your campervan. Unlike spray foam insulation materials, expanded Polystyrene does not off-gas or lose its R-value over time and is relatively cheaper compared to Polyiso or XPS solutions.
3M Thinsulate
Insulation provides your campervan with excellent moisture management capabilities, making it an invaluable asset. Temperature fluctuations can create condensation that damages metal van walls as well as decreasing its R-value rating. Insulation provides protection from this potential problem by managing moisture efficiently.
3M Thinsulate began life as an insulating material used for clothing lining cold weather apparel, but has quickly become popular in RV and campervan builds due to its excellent insulation capabilities. Constructed of tiny polypropylene fibers which limit heat transfer while permitting airflow.
Non-toxic and off-gassing-free, this blanket insulation won’t release toxic fumes into the environment. Furthermore, its water-resistance means it maintains its insulation properties even in wet environments.
Havelock Wool
Sheep’s wool insulation is an eco-friendly and non-toxic insulation option with an R-value per inch rating that also manages moisture and sound well, but can be hard to come by in brick-and-mortar stores; also, its costs tend to be more expensive than spray foam alternatives.
XPS foam board, offering similar R-values as polyiso and remaining effective even at colder temperatures, is another top contender in terms of insulation value and effectiveness. Easily applied to walls and ceilings of van bodies using adhesive such as Great Stuff spray foam or 3M High Strength 90 spray adhesive, it makes an excellent addition.
Celotex and Kingspan Insulation Blocks
Celotex and Kingspan insulation boards are two popular choices for insulating your campervan, being easily cuttable rigid foam plastic boards designed to provide insulation on larger surface areas such as floors and ceilings.
Celotex XR4000’s thickest product boasts an extremely low thermal conductivity of only 0.022 W/mK – this makes it an excellent solution to prevent condensation forming on cold metal surfaces of your van and leading to mould and rot in future.
Expanding Foam
Insulating your walls is one of the key steps of campervan conversion. Bare metal walls absorb and dissipate heat quickly, making it hard to keep an ideal temperature inside your van.
Sheep wool insulation is an eco-friendly choice, featuring low R-Values while remaining non-toxic, fire and pest resistant, moisture managing capabilities, deadening sound absorption and sequestering carbon emissions.
Relative to other options, it’s relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t stop radiant heat transfer as effectively and is not water resistant; additionally, installation requires the addition of a vapor barrier which will add further installation costs.