Are you tired of melting in your van during the summer or shivering through cold nights on the road? Whether you’re living the van life full-time or just embarking on weekend adventures, not having proper insulation can make your travels uncomfortable and stressful.
In this guide, we’ll show you how the right insulation materials can keep you cool, warm and dry while reducing road noise in your van or campervan. Insulate your van the right way with the help of this blog by our expert team.
Why Should You Add Insulation to Your Van?
Comfort and Temperature Control:
Without insulation, your van can feel like an oven in the summer months and a freezer at night, making it difficult to relax or sleep. The van absorbs the day's heat and the night's chill, leaving you constantly battling the elements. Van insulation is designed to resist heat transfer. Proper 7 star insulation allows you to regulate the temperature inside your van, creating a barrier between you and the outside world. This enables you to stay comfortable year-round, no matter the weather.
Prevents Mould & Rust:
Condensation can build up as the temperature fluctuates between the inside and outside of your van. Over time, this moisture can lead to mould, mildew, and rust, causing long-term damage and an unhealthy living environment. Insulation not only helps maintain a stable temperature but also helps control moisture throughout your entire van, preventing condensation from forming. This keeps your van fresh, dry, and free of mould or rust.
Noise Reduction:
If you’ve ever lived in a van or campervan, you know how loud vehicle noise, wind, or even rain can be when trying to sleep. The good news is that insulation can act as a sound barrier, effectively deadening these outside noises.
Did you know our team supplies insulation products for all applications? If you're curious about which acoustic insulation materials are best for reducing noise inside your van or campervan, contact our friendly team today.
Energy Efficiency:
Keeping your van at a nice temperature can be quite a challenge. During our hot Australian nights, you may find yourself running the air conditioner constantly, only to find the heat unbearable after it has been turned off for 5 minutes. Van insulation helps keep a constant temperature so that you can spend less on consuming unnecessary energy and draining your resources.
The Pros & Cons of Different Van Insulation Types
Foam Board Insulation
Foam board insulation is one of the best choices for van insulation, thanks to its affordability, easy installation process, and excellent ability to provide both thermal protection and soundproofing.
Pros:
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Excellent thermal insulation - Foam boards come in high R-values, making them great for maintaining comfortable temperatures inside your van during summer & winter.
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Moisture resistance - Foam board insulation has great moisture resistance properties, ensuring your insulation stays dry and prevents mould growth.
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Affordable - Compared to some alternatives, Foam boards are a cost-effective option for insulating your van without breaking the bank.
Cons:
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Weight - Foam boards can be relatively heavy compared to other options. However, this issue is minor as they are still a relatively lightweight insulation choice overall.
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Fitting gaps – Cutting and fitting foam boards into uneven or irregular spaces can be difficult, often resulting in gaps that compromise the effectiveness of the insulation.
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Durability - While durable, foam boards can be prone to damage from impacts, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause them to degrade over time.
Glasswool Insulation
Glasswool insulation is a common choice for van & camper van insulation due to its thermal and soundproofing properties. There are some challenges when using Fibreglass so it is best to contact professionals before choosing to install it yourself.
Pros:
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Thermal insulation - Glasswool offers a high R-value making it great for maintaining temperature control throughout the summer and winter months.
- Soundproofing- Provides fantastic noise reduction, ideal for reducing road vehicle noise, vibrations and external sounds.
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Lightweight - Compared to other van insulation options such as foam board insulation, glasswool insulation is very lightweight keeping the overall weight of your van lower.
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Fire-resistant - Although you probably won’t light your van on fire (hopefully), glasswool insulation is non-combustible, offering additional safety by minimising the risk of spreading fire throughout your van.
Cons:
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Health risks if not handled correctly – Cutting and handling glasswool can be quite dangerous if you are inexperienced. If you choose to insulate your van with glasswool insulation it is recommended to go with a professional.
- Moisture sensitivity – If not installed correctly, glasswool insulation can absorb moisture which can lead to the growth of mould and mildew inside your van reducing the effectiveness of the insulation over time.
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Challenging to fit in tight spaces – Glasswool is quite bulky in nature, and therefore it can be quite difficult to fit in irregular can shapes or tight spots such as corners or wheel arches.
Foil Insulation:
Foil insulation is often used in combination with other materials for its ability to reflect heat. It is commonly used in vans to improve thermal performance and reduce heat transfer.
Pros:
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Reflects Heat – Foil insulation is highly effective at reflecting radiant heat, which helps keep your van cooler in our hot Australian weather, especially when used as a layer near the van's exterior.
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Lightweight - Foil insulation is incredibly lightweight making it ideal for those who are looking for lightweight van insulation options.
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Moisture resistant - Foil doesn’t absorb water and is resistant to moisture, helping prevent mould and mildew.
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Easy to install - Foil can easily be cut into various shapes and sizes making it ideal for van & campervan insulation.
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Space-saving - Thin yet effective, foil insulation takes up minimal space inside your van, making it ideal for vans with limited interior room.
Cons:
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Requires an air gap - During the insulation process it is best practice to ensure that there is a gap between the foil and the surface it is reflecting heat from. This can sometimes be difficult to achieve in certain vans.
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Not as good for soundproofing - While effective at reflecting heat, foil insulation may not be as effective for soundproofing your van as some of the other options.
- It might not be as effective for colder weather - On a chilly Perth night, foil insulation will not be very effective against the cold compared to other insulation options. Foil insulation blocks radiant heat but struggles to provide substantial thermal mass to retain heat in colder winter months.
How to Insulate Your Van
Van Floor Insulation:
Insulating your van floor is essential. The cold from the road during winter can seep into your van, lowering the interior temperature. Below are some steps you can follow when installing insulation. If you are ever unsure, always talk to an insulation professional or reach out to our friendly team for further advice.
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Prepare the surface: Clean the floor thoroughly removing all dirt, debris and old flooring to ensure you can install the floor insulation correctly.
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Lay down a moisture barrier: This is optional, but if you choose to you may want to lay down a moisture barrier to help protect against water damage. Some of the best insulation options to stop condensation are plastic sheets, foil insulation or a rubber membrane.
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Apply the insulation: Typically for your van floor insulation, you will be looking at using foam boards that are cut to shape. Try to ensure that there are no gaps between them, and secure them with adhesive.
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Cover with a floor layer: Once the insulation is securely in place, cover it with plywood, vinyl, or your chosen flooring material to complete the look and ensure protection for your insulation.
Van Wall Insulation
The walls of your van can absorb and transfer heat, making your van uncomfortable during extreme temperatures. Effective van wall insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside and reduces noise from the outside.
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Prepare surface - Before installing insulation inside your van, ensure to clean the surface of the walls thoroughly, removing all dirt, dust and all materials to ensure a clean surface for installation.
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Apply a moisture barrier - As with floor insulation, this step is optional but recommended. A moisture barrier helps protect against water damage and minimises condensation inside your van.
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Apply the insulation - For van walls, foam boards, spray foam, or glasswool are common options. Cut the insulation to fit the contours of your walls, ensuring there are no gaps. Secure the insulation in place using adhesive or mounting clips.
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Cover with wall panels - Once the van insulation is in place, cover it using plywood, panelling or any other wall material to style your van and ensure the insulation stays in place.
Van Roof Insulation
The roof of your van is one of the most crucial areas to insulate as it absorbs the most amount of heat from the sun and is how heat will escape during the winter. Effective roof insulation is also fantastic at reducing noise from both rain and wind.
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Prepare the Surface – Start by cleaning the roof thoroughly. Remove dirt, debris or old materials to ensure a clean surface for installing the insulation.
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Apply a Moisture Barrier - This step is optional, but adding a layer of insulation for condensation control reduces the moisture build-up within your van, preserving your insulation and reducing the risk of mould.
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Install the Insulation - Common options for roof insulation include foam board, spray foam, and reflective insulation. Cut the insulation to fit the contours of your roof, ensuring there are no gaps. Use adhesive, screws, or mounting clips to secure the insulation in place. The last thing you want is for the roof insulation to come loose while you're sleeping!
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Cover with roof panels: Once the roof insulation is securely in place, cover it with desired panelling such as plywood, foam panels or any other materials for your desired finish. This will help protect the insulation and create the look that you want for your van.
If ever in doubt, always chat with a professional installer first.
Why Using Quality Insulation Materials Matters:
When it comes to van conversions or campervan builds, the insulation you choose is one of the most important decisions you will make. Quality insulation will keep you comfortable in your van in the summer and winter months and provide an extra layer of protection so you can enjoy your travels regardless of the weather outside.
Get the Best Insulation for Your Van at Home Insulation Online
At Home Insulation Online, we specialise in providing high-quality insulation products that will make a real difference. Whether you need foam boards, glasswool or foil insulation, our expert team is here to help you select the perfect products for your needs.
Don’t settle for less when it comes to your van’s insulation. Contact us today or explore our range of insulation products to ensure your van stays comfortable, efficient, and ready for whatever the road has in store.
