2021Sprinter Van Floor and Insulation Tips Pt 2

I'll reiterate that nobody in over 100 videos has done this the same way...there are debates backwards and forth to what is right, and what is wrong with each and every way I've seen. Some of the video's I've seen, I like the way they did this or that, but for my own reasons did mine a bit different or with different materials. YOU HAVE TO FIGURE THIS PART OUT FOR YOURSELF. When I first started, there was a lot of confusion on terminology. I had no clue what Rigid Core Foam, or Polystyrene, or Thinsulate, or Reflectix, or Lambs Wool were...(I like the idea of Wool, but not the price.)...There are benefits, and drawbacks to each of these and it seems no matter which way you go. My advice is to watch all the videos you can stomach, and one step at a time come up with a plan on what will work for you and your skill set. I bought everything you see here from Lowes Hardware. I did see some of the same stuff at Home Depot and for the same price; but they didn't have the 3" tape. I just finished taping up all the 1/2" Rigid Foam Core Insulation. I knew the 3" x 50ft and the 2" x 30ft tape would be close to having enough, and it was. If I had about 6 more feet of the 2" I'd have the perfect amount. But I say it's close enough, the parts that I didn't cover were a tight fit anyway so really not even necessary.
When I get into wall and ceiling insulation, I think I'll used three kinds...Rigid Foam Core Polystyrene, Thinsulate, and Reflectix.
But for this floor, I only used the Polystyrene Foam.
NOTE: I could have used some expanding spray foam (Great Stuff) and went around all the edges; but in the end I decided not to. 30 years ago, when I built my house I used that "Great Stuff", and it is great stuff, but it is VERY messy, and labor intensive when you consider having to cut the excess flush, and getting it off your hands etc... I showed you the knife I used for that great stuff, so if you want to mask off around the edges, and then spray the foam, then slice it flush with the surface...well you just go for it. Were talking about R1.9 here on the floor adn it'll all be covered up with the bed, and cabinets, and carpets, and cushions so by not spraying foam, we are not losing that much R value anyway. This is where I called "Good Enough: "Good Enough". In the end, I decided that I'm most likely not looking at traveling in any Artic weather conditions, in fact I'm not going to be living in this van full time anyway. Mostly weekend, or a week, a month or two, but definitely not full time. The 1/2" foam core says its "R1.9". I could have gone to 1" for R4.54 instead but decided that my 6"4" noggin height is more important. One thing I learned from many of the youtube video's I've watched is that "THE FLOOR IS GOING TO BE COLD NO MATTER" unless you go full tilt and install a liquid heated floor.
Also: A Sprinter van is exactly 6'4" from the top of the metal factory floor to the top of the metal cross channel at the top on the roof support beams. So the 1/2" polystyrene, along with the 3/4" Tongue and Groove plywood, and 1/8" vinyl floor sheet, and however much ceiling thickness we come up with, I know that will all add up to making me head knockingly challanged. So, to try to keep things working for "ME"...1/2". The Tongue and Groove plywood will be nice and solid too.
Here are the Lowes links to all the Insulation stuff I used.
3 sheets of Polystyrene Insulfoam (R-1.9 0.5-in x 4-ft x 8-ft 1 Faced Polystyrene :
www.lowes.com/...
I used every bit of both rolls of tape, so about $25.00 worth of tape.
1 Roll of "Pella Smart Flash Tape" for Windows and Door Installations: www.lowes.com/...
1 Roll of Reflectix 2" x 30 ft Roll: www.lowes.com/...
4 Sheets, 3/4" (23/32") Tongue and Groove Plywood,
www.lowes.com/...