insulation and paneling
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,021
Likes: 133
From: Maryville
I saw a link on http://www.vannin.com once that was to a spray foam company, this stuff comes in a box with attachment hose and spray nozzle, it's for home use. It comes as a kit, you assemble it then spray like paint, it expands on contact, much like the insta-foam, but it's not concentrated to one area. The stuff is designed to use in your home, you spray it between floor joists from underneath, unsulating the floors, or inside walls between the studs before closing them up.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
I would definitely say NO to the bubble wrap, BTW. That is a reflective barrier and it's not appropriate for this application. It does not have a "real" R-value, but rather an "equivalent" claim.
Heat exchanges through 2 methods, conduction/convection or radiation. The bubble wrap has a modest R-value against conduction. Its claim to fame is having a radiant barrier, but you can get that on fiberglass too which has a much higher conduction R-value.
Reflective barriers require an air gap, if they touch the hot surface then the conduction gets very high. The reflective barrier becomes most useful if you have a high temp differential and can vent the heated air through the air gap to the outside, Like if the top of the wall had a vent up into the attic. Otherwise the reflected heat increases the temp of the air in contact with the insulation and the conduction goes up. Vans have no way to vent like that.
Polyurethane, which contractors can spray, is good. It has a better R-value than styrofoam. If I recall correctly, I saw some explanations that the isocyanate was pretty poor in the long run because as it ages its R-value goes down.
Heat exchanges through 2 methods, conduction/convection or radiation. The bubble wrap has a modest R-value against conduction. Its claim to fame is having a radiant barrier, but you can get that on fiberglass too which has a much higher conduction R-value.
Reflective barriers require an air gap, if they touch the hot surface then the conduction gets very high. The reflective barrier becomes most useful if you have a high temp differential and can vent the heated air through the air gap to the outside, Like if the top of the wall had a vent up into the attic. Otherwise the reflected heat increases the temp of the air in contact with the insulation and the conduction goes up. Vans have no way to vent like that.
Polyurethane, which contractors can spray, is good. It has a better R-value than styrofoam. If I recall correctly, I saw some explanations that the isocyanate was pretty poor in the long run because as it ages its R-value goes down.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
I did my 94 e250 with the foil bubble and high density foam board. I'm in south Florida, so radiant heat is a big problem. I wouldn't worry about moisture. It drastically reduced the inside temperature from the sun's rays. There is no perfect way to insulate. Spray in foam is probably best for r-value but it is permanent and if you ever need access behind it, it can be a problem. Also unless you are familiar with it it can be a real mess. A limo building company next to me uses the bubble foil and I copied their method. All parts were purchased at Lowes. I can email you some pictures if you want.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 7
From: Birmingham, AL
This ad for a poly foam kit appeared in the Google ads at the bottom of this thread. Might be just what you need.
I have a '79 Avion travel trailer that was insulated at the factory with polyurethane foam. It works exceptionally well her in the south. It can be a pain if you need to add a new run of wiring though. In some cases you may be able to run a small pvc conduit for speaker or lighting wires and then foam over it.
Gene
I have a '79 Avion travel trailer that was insulated at the factory with polyurethane foam. It works exceptionally well her in the south. It can be a pain if you need to add a new run of wiring though. In some cases you may be able to run a small pvc conduit for speaker or lighting wires and then foam over it.
Gene
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