We also did not spray insulation on the floor or the lower walls below window level. We used 50-feet in our 144 wheelbase Sprinter, which has the crew windows (in the second position) and rear door windows. One of the best ways to do this is with van window covers. If you have, could you direct me to that video, if not, can you walk me through the process of removing the panels without destroying anything and what sealant to use. DIY Exterior Van Light: Solar, Magnetic & Motion Detected! No one ever says: "I wish I had less storage in my . Sheetmetal is very efficient at conducting the summer's heat straight in to the van. Hey, any thoughts on ceramic insulation like this? Be careful in the sliding door and rear doors. Just got a sprinter last week. If the panel doesnt move, it doesnt make noise. -ken. With this headliner, you will remove and remount your sun visors directly to the bottom of this shelf. Unless you live in Dubai. We sincerely appreciate your visit as well as your support. You can use CLD tiles/roll. The main reason for sound deadening the panels is because the flat steel panels vibrate andproduce a level or frequency of noise. Consider that your first source of moisture. Then I used the insulation from window level-ish up. I dont have a strong opinion on whether its better to spray the Lizard Skin before or after the sound dampening.we sprayed two vans in one daymy van already had the sound dampening up so I sprayed over it. Your insulation is essentially bypassed in these locations. Its super thick at 80 mil, and provides tremendous bang for the buck. Spray Foam: An absolute mess from what I have seen in other peoples installs and its permanent, Moisture Resistant: Its hydrophobic fibers resist moisture, mold, and mildew. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. As Amazon Associates we will make earnings from qualifying purchases, however it costs you nothing to use them. The panels sound considerably less tinny with the butyl in place. Purchase a few cans of 3M-90 spray adhesive, spray it on both the van wall and the insulation. Ft $399.95 Add to Cart 2007 - 2018 Window Insulation Set for Sprinter Vans (Front Or Rear) $69.95 - $164.95 View Options Sprinterstore.com offers the best selection of Insulation parts and reasonable shipping for tricking out your Sprinter Van. I never really thought much about its ability to maintain heat in the winter but on a past coastal camping trip a friend pointed out one morning that there was condensation on the sides of the van, EXCEPT for the lower walls. Most high roof vans will require 50+ feet, so we recommend selecting the appropriate length, whether you choose to purchase on Amazon or eBay. We arent talking about rivers of water that would go out the vans weep holes, we are talking about moist air trapped in the walls from all of those leaky penetrations in the vehicle we discussed earlier. 60-feet is recommended for the 170 Sprinter and 70-feet for the 170-Extended Sprinter. roostvans.com. Heres a copy of my receipt for the closed cell foam: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48798996188_8e8c08c08f_z.jpg Take care! That is my motto lately. And, the total cost was roughly $1,000 for floor, wall, and ceiling insulation. Believe it or not, driving straight-on into the sun is almost an enjoyable experience. Sprinter Van Convertible Folding Dinette and Bed, Installing CR Laurence Windows in Our Sprinter Van, Installing a MaxxAir 7500k Roof Vent in our Sprinter Van, Sprinter Van 200 Watt Solar System Install, Installing Sprinter Van RTS523 Rhino-Rack Roof Rails, Sprinter Van Sportcraft Swivel Seats Installation, Upgraded Sprinter Van Wheels: Method Wheels & Nitto ATs, Dual 6 Volt Underhood Battery Tray: Sprinter Van, Our New Sprinter Van: Building the Ultimate Adventure Rig, How To Build Your Own DIY Outdoor Shower For Under $30, Denim: Easily soaks up moisture which causes rust and is also treated with chemicals. Procedure that worked for me for removal of headliner (as usual, your experience my vary - hopefully better than mine): Starting at the front: Move the driver and passenger seats fully forward and angle the seats down Remove the D-ring bolt at bottom of the driver's and passenger side "B" pillar using a Torx T-45 wrench. I really appreciate your support; it really helps! We had no future use for the (2) three-passenger bench seats that were installed in our Sprinter when we purchased it. Appreciate your work very much @ourkaravan! I know itll help some with sound but Im trying to quantify & measure what the actual result will be. Are there other things I can do to achieve this? Cut a few pieces of the insulating foam into large-enough panels to cover the windows. I am not sure if that is due to the cold temperatures not letting it set up right or the fact that I did not scuff up the paint first (too impatient also). I have absolutely no regrets regarding the cost or installation of the Thinsulate. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. I wondered if you documented your install of Noico panels. We have these magnets custom made to our specifications in the USA. I didnt scuff my paint either. Prolonged, reoccurring condensation causes mold and rust, as youve mentioned. Im down in the Sacramento area and visit Oregon frequently. Thanks for sharing. We believe it reduces heat loading in our hot climate, but due to the effort and special tools required, we cant recommend it quite as easily as just a basic butyl mat + Thinsulate package. Removing excess spray foam with a kitchen knife. Ford vs Chevy, PC vs Mac, Transit vs Sprinter, van insulation can be just as controversial. Lizard Skin appears to be reasonably environmentally friendly and it is water based. It worked like a charm. So I think thats proof-positive it does work! Fiberglass and rock wool: Great R-value and sound reducer, but irritates skin, eyes, and lungs if not properly sealed off. 4.5 out of 5 stars (36) $ 355.00. No harmful fibers like fiberglass It also works extremely well at reducing noise. Hi Ken, love your site. We experimented with Reflectix and tore most of it out of the van. We feel the Lizard Skin is helpful and definitely worth the $275 we have into it. To install, clean the surface of the van with mineral spirits. Fully insulating the van means less condensation, which leads to mold and rust. Posted at 06:48h in jewellery box designs handmade by faux brick feature wall. Install all/most of your major penetrations before insulation and interior. Some of the above links will take you to Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate CreatID, Inc. will earn revenue from qualifying purchases. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. I have had a wall panel off the van and there was no evidence of Lizard Skin delamination. When we pulled the domed cab headliner, we glued Thinsulate to the ceiling of the van. Do you know why there are open vents in the rear columns of the van? It is essentially a metal box going down the road and very noisy. Just wondering if you have had any problems with condensation in the headliner after insulating it? However, we found that application of small amounts of butyl mat, helps further reduce noise intruding into the van. Grafton4x4. Insulation and ventilation work hand in hand so consider both before you start your installation. You can replace it yourself by following these steps for how to install a headliner. Is that what you would recommend I do? Your appreciation helps keep my content flowing! Before or after sound dampening? Do you think there would be any benefit to something like this? Water is a bi-product of its combustion. Layer 1: Sound Deadening FatMat Rattle Trap The first part of insulating the van was to sound deaden it. 1501 Anza Ave #36, Vista, CA 92084. -Ken, Update: sprayed lizard skin just about everywhere (tip: make sure to do great prep-this stuff sneaks in everywhere). The best way we can describe it is to say it helps panels sound less tinny. That said, you dont have to use a ton of it. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items . Of course its all anonymous so I have no idea whos buying what. It does have a smell for a couple of days but leaving the van opened up the first few days after spraying will remedy that. Wellthats what we did anyway with our Sprinter, La Bonita Negra (aka Bonny Lass). The surfaces in our van that have been sprayed with Lizard Skin are noticeably cooler than the ones that were not. There is no Lizard Skin in the sliding door or the rear doors. https://www.foambymail.com/PR/polyethylene-foam-roll.html, Adventure Gear Review: Kemimoto Heated Jacket, A Wet, But Fun, Weekend In The Sandbox Dumont Dunes Trip Report, 6 Things To Do While Visiting Pioneertown, CA. Overall thickness is 3/8" +/- consisting of 2 closed cell sections laminated to an aluminum center foil to maintain shape and van skin contour. Some think it can act as a vapor barrier to prevent moisture produced inside the van from condensing on the inside of the vans sheetmetal walls. People have done in-floor radiant heating before. For hard-to-reach areas, use a fish tape to help with insulation placement. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. We now find that the shaded area of the ceiling (under the solar panel) remains cooler for longer. ft for the 2" thick (R13.3) material. Thank you and kind regards, We think this is a big mistake. Published by at aot 23, 2022. To install, clean the surface of the van with mineral spirits. We sprayed a total of 1.5 gallons of Lizard Skin in our van. I dunno, Im not one to want to experiment too heavily with something as important as insulation. It is probably one of the most expensive products, but it is the clear winner for several reasons. . More important, the venting is required to allow the dash heating and air conditioning to distribute air inside the van. Some of the top choices used to insulate vans include fiberglass batts, spray foam insulation, and Reflectix. The purpose of insulation is to slow the transfer of heat in and out of the vehicle. It has an R-value rating of 38-R at ambient external temperature of 80F. Im planning on doing Noico & Thinsulate, like you have. We also chose to layer long batts of wool into our campervan's headliner area. Commercial Van to Camper Van Registration. I put Noico down, mini cell in between the ribs followed by another layer on top, followed by the stock floor (crew). Van Insulationoh the subject of much debate. Learn more. Thanks, Hi Dean, Traveling and seeing new places is always at the top of our to-do list. A full size kitchen inside a van, with a bed, makes a home, CreatID Sprinter Van Cabinets are strong & secure, simple to install, and offer crazy amounts of storage, Dennis Veatch, IDSA insulating sprinter headliner presto professional electric knife sharpener February 16, 2022 February 16, 2022 white suede sectional on insulating sprinter headliner We didnt pull the headliner but managed to stuff a few pieces in the important places. We barely had enough and there are a couple areas that could probably still use more. Thank you. They installed UV-reflective tinting on all the windowswhich came in at an additional $1,000and the effect is dramatic. Its a great website. Rather than just feeding you links, we are taking some time in an attempt to share why we made the choices we did. You are subscribed! Water is a bi-product of its combustion. I did not see this in your video, but did you do any prep other than cleaning the surfaces? Hi Nic, We carry a wide variety of parts, accessories and upgrades for Mercedes, Dodge and Freightliner Sprinter vans. In the other van (which was bare), we sprayed Lizard Skin and adhered the sound deadening to it. No fiberglass insulation itchiness to deal with. It also works extremelywell at reducing noise. DuraTherm Insulated Liners provide a number of advantages: Rear Doors- Full liner coverage Side Doors Full liner coverage Liner Kits in GREY color. 136 wheel base Promaster: 40-45 linear feet; 159 wheel base Promaster: 50-55 linear feet; 159 extended wheel base Promaster: 60-65 linear feet; 144 wheel base Sprinter: 50-55 linear feet; 170 wheel base Sprinter: 60-65 linear feet So it sounds like you did not scuff or sand and if so have you checked for any delamination of the Lizard skin? Before I came across your site, I was thinking that the dampener would stick better to the original bare metallic surface than a ceramic one. We sealed the roll in a plastic bag and threw it in the hot tub to warm it up. Seems to us that moisture will instead take the path of least resistance and go out a vented window and/or vent fan. I have already applied Noico butyl sound deadening over most of the walls and ceiling of my van build. For months Read More, In order to mount things like solar or a roof rack, yourSprinter van must have Read More, Your email address will not be published. 1/4 plywood was used for the final wall panels. Specifically, theNoico acts as a panel dampener. FatMat Rattle Trap stops or dampens these vibrations. Hein confirmed our reservations about using spray foam and encouraged us to use 3M Thinsulate and Low-E Reflective Foam instead. We have an 18 month old and just bought a 144 high roof Sprinter to convert, so your conversion is very helpful to see! The Sprinter Headliner Shelf is the perfect way to utilize all the wasted space directly above the Driver and Passenger seats in the new 2019+ VS30 model Sprinters. Nearby homes similar to 2130 Sunset Dr #100 have recently sold between $237K to $605K at an average of $295 per square foot. Many metal sprinter vans do not come with insulation, so the interiors can quickly become uncomfortable and filled with rattles and road noise. If you spray the doors, then be quite careful to feel around for the door mechanisms and stuff/tape to protect from over-spray. Uncovered and uninsulated, these elements act as thermal bridges, extending the condensation problem into the envelope of the vehiclethe 2x4s in your home construction present us with the same issue. Thank you for your fantastic posts and videos! At 162,000 miles this van still has a long life to live. Insulated Storage Doors; Rear Wall Insulation (R-9) Side Walls Insulation (R-9) Slide room Roof and End Wall Insulation (R-9) Main Floor Insulation (R-11) Roof Insulation (R-40) Interior. We decided to attach the wooden battens before the foil wrap was up, so that we wouldn't have to screw through the foil bubble wrap. Thank you, I always appreciate the kind words. Love your show!!! Subscribe & you will get an automatic email notification when I post up a new adventure, tip, or review on my blog. My wife, Anna, and I recently bought and built out a Sprinter van to do more of the things we love. Your email address will not be published. for example if i were to run piping in the channels on the floor of the van for example, then fill it with hot water somehow? My name is Pete. Alternatively you mayconsider using the donate button below to make a simple Paypal payment, or message us if you prefer Venmo. that was going to be my question on how much you scuffed paint before application. I will have a heaterbut thinking maybe a wood stove. A friend and I both wanted to do our vans, so we split the cost of the required spray-gun and each purchased 2 gallons of Lizard Skin. If you watch our YouTube video on Part 1 of our insulation install, you will likely be able to hear the difference in the rear door panels before and after installation of the butyl dampener. You tear out the interior, of course! Although mostly cosmetic and meant to finish off the appearance of the van, the walls also help with insulating noise and temperatures. The factory bolts are M8x1.25, in varying lengths. US Energy Products AD5mm Reflective Foam Core Insulation, Cold and Heat Shield, Radiant Barrier, Thermal Insulation 48''X100ft R8, Rugged Ridge 12109.04 Hard Top Insulation Kit; 11-18 Jeep Wrangler JK, 4 Door, Siless Liner 157 mil 36 sqft Aluminum Foil Finish Car Sound Deadening & Heat Insulation Closed Cell Foam - PE Foam Sound Deadener, uxcell 394mil 16.36sqft Car Noise Sound Deadener Deadening Insulation Mat Waterproof 60 x 40 Inches, Siless Liner 157 (4 mm) mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Closed Cell Foam & Heat Insulation mat - PE Foam Sound Deadener Material & Heat Barrier, Heat Shield Material, Car Sound Deadening Material. Im not sure Ill use it again as the cost and the effectiveness of the Thinsulate are so great. It can be used under floors to absorb noise, but when you install it with an air gap, it works to reflect heat back because of its foil layer and closed-cell foam insulating layer. Heres where more controversy and opinions come into-play. I am in the process of converting my 2017 144 sprinter van and you are fantastic, simply put. Although we had to rip most of it off the wall to install our Fatmat, we reapplied it and taped it using foil tape. Call (570) 401-7697 Duratherm Interior Liners Insulated interior protection for walls, ceilings, and doors. There is no airgap between the wall panel and the Thinsulate at the mid-wall level inside the van. So, we sold the seats for about $500 each and made out like bandits. First, is understanding the 3 Heat loss mechanisms and how insulation works in slowing down these reactions.Radiation or Radiant heat transfer can be the rays of the sun striking the vans metal skin, heating up the metal and transfer the heat to the inside or passing through the windows. Really happy with the lizard skin. It also prevents the windows from popping out in their frames and other damage from taking hold. Your site is a fantastic resource. These lockers seem like an ideal cabinetry solution for a quick-convert modular adventure van. I know some of the schools give out an Amazon code and ask parents to use it when buying things on Amazon. SE Portland OR, For van related inquiries visit As a building contractor for 50+ years, it was so refreshing to read your opinion concerning the use of a vapor barrier in a van. Not only the labor but I was worried that, lets say, you dent the roof. This product can double both the heating and cooling efficiency of your vehicle no matter what the climate you operate in. They were first wrapped in 1/8, 4lb closed cel foam before being covered with fabric. Thank you for the update! Based on insulating the entirety of the walls, ceiling and structural cavities but not the floor. So both the walls and ceiling got a full wrap of Low E foam. Lizard Skin is one piece of the insulation puzzle but not the end-all. The rule of thumb is 40-50 lf for a 144 Sprinter. If you just want to get started without reading further, get some Thinsulateand some Noicoand youve got a great insulation package for most people in most climates. Expanding foam is what is used to hold polyiso in place. $475.00. As you know, I only used the ceramic insulation and not the sound deadener. It seems to work well for both sound dampening as well as thermal insulation. Some van builders believe use of a vapor barrier inside a van is a bad idea because it can trap moisture between the Reflectix and the metal skin of the van. Panel dampener is not really needed on the floor as it will already be dampened by everything you have on top of it. (Are cucumbers cool?) Im sure it will come as no surprise that there are varying opinions regarding insulating a Sprinter van. If you feel you desire more, simply apply more around the existing butyl. That acid can etch paint on a vehicle and eventually cause rust. Gray Insulated Duratherm Wall, Ceiling and Door Liners come backed with foam and foil insulation for increased noise-deadening and temperature control. or would the dark color absorb more heat and negate reduced heat transfer benefits? Were looking forward to pleasant-smelling road trips in the near future and out-gassing foam on a hot day is not attractive. -ken. I used the sound deadening from window level-ish down and the floor to just behind the slider opening. 4660 N River Rd #95, Oceanside, CA 92057. And secondly, insulating a Sprinter van has many advantages. There would be penetrations everywhere in the Reflectix for plumbing and wiring. Do you have to worry about that? All in all, the insulation project didnt take that much time. 2006 white sprinter, roof needs paint repair/repainted, scratched and some rust. In the upper wall cavities, of a Sprinter anyway, the Thinsulate stays-put without glue. Trust me. We also threw down thick Minicell foam rubber on the floor to reduce radiant heat from the highway, thus reducing warming of the vehicle from the underside. Thanks for your great content! We have read on various forums about 4-5 year old vans insulated with denim insulation showing significant evidence of mold and vehicle rust. It is definitely more comfortable. Installation was pretty painless. it's completely worth it. This is where I share our adventures, van build details, tips, ride reports and more. They can help with your DIY products, full builds, or combination of both! Thank you! I purchased longer bolts from the hardware store so the factory floor could be bolted-down just as it was from the factory. I ll probably follow this exactly. Covering a panel 100% only adds unnecessary weight and cost. We use only the highest quality and most powerful N55 rare earth magnets for all of our shades. A big job! Next you'll remove the trim pad panels that run along the sides of the headliner. What are your thoughts on underfloor heating ? Hi Tre, I used some polyiso in my floor but chose not to use it anywhere else. It sounds like BS but we can tell you without a doubt it works. Thanks for this! Not necessarily, I just looked around at Home Depot until I found a polyurethane-based one in a caulk tube. A single human will lose 800mL of water per day through a combination of perspiration and respiration. If the Lizard Skin breaks away, you now have an unprotected area that could rust. Manufactured by Legend Fleet Solutions 5/16" heavy-duty rigid gray plastic ceiling protection including insulation Layer of foil/foam insulation attached to the back of the panels Gray color Precision cut to fit Sound deadening Easy install - fastens using pre-drilled holes and self-drilling screws Bravo! Your insulation is essentially bypassed in these locations. Tip: if you pull the dome lamp out you can access the forward part behind the headliner area. Would you recommend applying Lizard Skin before or after installing the roof vent? Hi, Im not sure what you mean by layering but I have the combination of Lizard Skin, butyl mat (noico) and thinsulate all layered in my walls. Homes similar to 2130 Sunset Dr #100 are listed between $250K to $750K at an average of $275 per square foot. Below the solar panel, it is cool to the touch, for a while. Must be glued in place. We used one 36 sq ft pack for our 144 wheelbase Sprinter and it was plenty. The body trim clips are the very first project I did on the van. The window insulation kits work great to reduce condensation build up, slow thermal transfer, and add privacy. A friend and I both wanted to do our vans, so we split the cost of the required. But I thought I ask your advice on the Lizard Skin application since you are one of the fews who documented its usage in a Sprinter van. Being a Sprinter van enthusiast yourself, you still might be wary of taking on such a project. (You need a good air compressor if you do it yourself.) . I dont know about you, but we want to avoid health concerns for ourselves and our van as much as possible. Sound dampening/blocking is a complex subject. I also wouldve worked hard to try to install the GTMat on a warmer day, in the colder air the material is very firm and completely ridiculous to work with. Assume water will be present inside the walls. Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? Questions? I was thinking is just using the lizard skin before the built-out and nothing else. I hope that helps! For California Customers: The factory butyl is very effective, so I left it. https://www.homedepot.com/p/UniTherm-Ceramic-Fiber-Insulation-Blanket-Roll-8-Density-2300-F-0-5-in-x-24-in-x-60-in-R-5-CF8-5-2460/309952191?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_2_AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-Generic-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-EvapCoolers&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_2_AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-Generic-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-EvapCoolers-71700000052590833-58700005054698689-92700050204976188&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJLzBRAZEiwAmZb0arII4iMMnQLHFgyxr0h9Lin6gmFKb0ie8er0BLJCear96ylP-Z4pIRoCf7EQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds.