Insulation Questions and Concerns

T270_Dreamin · Apr 21, 2013

I was interested in more pictures and details regarding this load one drivers build?

Summer Retrofit Update

Where did you get the foam and what did you use to get the reflective material to bond to the metal in your sprinter?

I met one guy on the road that used this foam from home depot, he used 1 1/2

http://homedepot.owenscorning.com/products/foam.aspx

asjssl · Apr 21, 2013

From being a Mechanical Insulation Contractor for many years...I would go with A. Spray foam insulation.. comes in a pack (not the little spray can stuff) this is 2 part system..little pricey... but hands down the best option.
B. Would be as you suggested the foam board..thicker the better..than DO use the little cans of foam to fill in any voids or cracks..glue it to the wall with a silicone style caulk..it will give with the bouncing of the vehicle and won't get that squeaking either..
Foam in a vehicle gives you the best results...think of your foam coffee cup. Coffee is hot hot hot..but that little bit of foam between your hand and the coffee makes it able for you to grab the cup..good luck..

ebsprintin · Apr 21, 2013

T270_Dreamin said:
I was interested in more pictures and details regarding this load one drivers build?

Summer Retrofit Update

Where did you get the foam and what did you use to get the reflective material to bond to the metal in your sprinter?

I met one guy on the road that used this foam from home depot, he used 1 1/2

Foam Insulation Products

I'll be blogging more details and photos of the entire project this week and maybe next. I finally moved back into the van this evening, so I'll have more time to write.

If I was starting over from scratch, I would probably go the spray foam route. I would do a layer of reflectix then the spray-in foam. On this project I preferred working with something I'm more familiar with, since I was working around previously installed fixtures, and I didn't have time for experimenting with a new technique.

The foam and Reflectix is available at Home Depot and Lowe's. I try to make Menards my first stop. I used the one inch foam, but 1.5 inch fits most spaces just as easily. I used an exterior grade construction adhesive in caulk tubes for the Reflectix to foam board bond and used a thin bead of Great Stuff foam around the edges to seal and hold the boards in place.

If you haven't run across it yet, the link goes to other van set up topics, and I'm pretty sure it includes a couple very indepth discussions on different ways to insulate a van.

http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/truck-talk/44083-cargo-van-threads.html

eb

ebsprintin · Apr 21, 2013

Oh yeah, the Reflectix to metal question. I used a 3M double sided tape, but that was when there was nothing else to support the bubble wrap. With a foam board support, I would be relying on the foam board to keep the Reflectix in place. The main adhesive being the spray foam around the edges.

eb

xiggi · Apr 21, 2013

ebsprintin said:
I'll be blogging more details and photos of the entire project this week and maybe next. I finally moved back into the van this evening, so I'll have more time to write.

If I was starting over from scratch, I would probably go the spray foam route. I would do a layer of reflectix then the spray-in foam. On this project I preferred working with something I'm more familiar with, since I was working around previously installed fixtures, and I didn't have time for experimenting with a new technique.

The foam and Reflectix is available at Home Depot and Lowe's. I try to make Menards my first stop. I used the one inch foam, but 1.5 inch fits most spaces just as easily. I used an exterior grade construction adhesive in caulk tubes for the Reflectix to foam board bond and used a thin bead of Great Stuff foam around the edges to seal and hold the boards in place.

If you haven't run across it yet, the link goes to other van set up topics, and I'm pretty sure it includes a couple very indepth discussions on different ways to insulate a van.

http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/truck-talk/44083-cargo-van-threads.html

eb

They now make a specific glue for foam board that comes in the caulk tubes because some of it eats foam board.

T270_Dreamin · Apr 21, 2013

ebsprintin said:
Oh yeah, the Reflectix to metal question. I used a 3M double sided tape, but that was when there was nothing else to support the bubble wrap. With a foam board support, I would be relying on the foam board to keep the Reflectix in place. The main adhesive being the spray foam around the edges.

eb

good to know.. I want to do spray foam in the walls and do the Reflectix/foam board in the roof just encase I ever want to ad anything to the roof, seems to be vital space to ad wiring etc.

I like your idea of using Reflectix under closed cell spray foam, seems like Laredo proof insulation if that exist. Only thing that worries me from my research on sprinter source is that they talk about moisture having the ability to get in there, using tape it seems like it could get in potentially causing rust in the long term.

What do you think about this kit, seems like it would do the job for walls and doors.
FROTH-PAK 200 Foam Insulation at Menards

Still undecided on the floors. I don't want to elevate it too much because I afraid of loosing head room. my height is 6 ft. I suppose the guys in the 07+ sprinters don't have to worry about that.

Seems like we're are turning our vans into mini RV's

Turtle · Apr 21, 2013

I used a combination of Loctite (same as Liquid Nails) and 3M spray adhesive for the Reflectix. For the foam boards, I usually just used a little spray foam that would act as a sort of glue that held it in place while I installed the Reflectix.

T270_Dreamin · Apr 21, 2013

Turtle said:
I used a combination of Loctite (same as Liquid Nails) and 3M spray adhesive for the Reflectix. For the foam boards, I usually just used a little spray foam that would act as a sort of glue that held it in place while I installed the Reflectix.

so you did the same, a layer of Reflectix on bare metal foam in the middle and another layer or Reflectix?

Turtle · Apr 21, 2013

T270_Dreamin said:
so you did the same, a layer of Reflectix on bare metal foam in the middle and another layer or Reflectix?

No, I used foam board and canned foam in all the voids, behind all the panels, and the doors. Then I put Reflectix over everything, then replaced the panels where they are supposed to go.

BEFORE

AFTER

PANELS BACK ON

That kind of thing. Bare metal without voids, I just used Reflectix.

ebsprintin · Apr 22, 2013

xiggi said:
They now make a specific glue for foam board that comes in the caulk tubes because some of it eats foam board.

I tried a couple of tubes of that stuff on this project, but it didn't seem to adhere as well. Maybe it needs more time to cure. If half my stuff starts falling down, I'll have to remember which I used where, or if it looks like something is eating my foam, I'll only have to redo half of it.

eb

T270_Dreamin · Apr 22, 2013

Nice job turtle! What kinda and size foam board did you end up using? I hear the pink is good. inch and a half.

ebsprintin · Apr 22, 2013

Dreamin,

That sounds like the kind asjssl mentioned. I would also check an industrial supplier like McMaster-Carr, MSC Direct or Grainger.

I wasn't too concerned about condensation when it was just the Reflectix. I only used enough of the tape to tack the sheets in place. I wasn't trying to seal anything in or out, just reflect the sun's heat. Condensation also shouldn't be a problem with foam or foam panels if they are carefully sealed.

Something to remember when installing the Reflectix if you want to do it correctly (more properly?). It likes to have an air space between it and the surface it is attached to. Cut a bunch of two inch strips of the Reflectix. Glue the strips vertically on the wall like furring strips. Then glue the sheets of reflectix to the strips of Reflectix. The Reflectix furring strips act as a spacer. But don't get hung up on thinking one way is more perfect than another. Main thing is insulation material and a vapor barrier.

eb

Turtle · Apr 22, 2013

T270_Dreamin said:
Nice job turtle! What kinda and size foam board did you end up using? I hear the pink is good. inch and a half.

I dunno. I think it was either half an inch or an inch, probably an inch. Might be 3/4". It's blue, I know that.

I got it at Lowe's, just a piece of foam board. I used those to fill the large voids in the sides, doors and ceiling, instead of using nothing but canned foam, and then used the canned foam to fill it all in. Some of the larger (deeper) voids in the doors and sides I used one or two layers of the board foam. I was looking to fill spaces.

ebsprintin · Apr 26, 2013

I posted a couple more photos on the blog.

Insulation Job

eb

Rocketman · Apr 26, 2013

If I remember correctly, the blue insulation board has a better R value than the pink...might wanna check that.

ebsprintin · Apr 26, 2013

They are both rated at R-5 per inch. --eb

TonyD · Apr 29, 2013

Took a few days in Oregon and foam boarded our sprinter. Messy but not bad. Took advice from here. Board foam and reflectix looks good. Much quieter and feels better.