How To Insulate Walls for a School Bus // Skoolie Conversion

High-density Rigid Foam is one of the best options to put in a school bus and when I stumbled upon this deal I couldn't say no to it, We used about 8 sheets doing side of our bus and also covering the 7 windows we deleted.
here is what we used www.homedepot....
Here is a list of the other tools we have used.
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Impact Driver amzn.to/2NRCHsL
Angler Grinder amzn.to/2OXjhDc
Twisted Wire Brush Wheel amzn.to/2MJnoQL
Grinder Disc amzn.to/2Bh5EXw
Gloves amzn.to/31hsqsU
Breathing Mask amzn.to/31hmPmC
Paint Brush amzn.to/32jNFLZ
Paint Roller amzn.to/2Br8LMV

[@guyfrom8654]

Did you sheet metal over the windows and then add with insulation? Or can you see the insulation thru the windows from the outside ? I have a 5 window shorty and I'm gonna cover all of my windows except the back ones and the emergency ones that open out all awesome like . About to start my conversion in the next few months . Awesome build so far . I subscribed also

[@BackroadPurpose]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing, if you need or want me to cover any particular part of the build, let me know. I covered up the windows we delete with sheet metal (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJbHi3qti7pmmbs) and then Insulated behind those with the same 1.5" Rigid foam. We used 18Gauge sheet metal. and it was only $50 for a full 4'x8' sheet.

[@BEAdventurePartners]

Nice find on the rigid board insulation! We just started to do the front end of our Skoolie with rigid by forming it into the areas behind the dash & Erin pushed it down into the wall spaces. Still have a bit to go before we insulate the whole thing. Keep rocking it, y'all! - Brian + Erin

[@BackroadPurpose]

Thanks guys! It's a good feeling having it done. I had been pushing it off until the end and am excited to have it done with.

[@bloodybonescomic]

I think this is actually a very good idea.

[@alyssasoto5489]

I am a single mama going to start building out a bus this summer. I have no clue what I'm doing when it comes to the electical or insulation. I have just registered for the school of KZbin to learn all of this. My question is...do you do the electrical or the insulation first? Thanks

[@BackroadPurpose]

Hey there! It depends. If you're doing spray foam insulation i would do electrical first. If your doing bat or rigid foam insulation I would do insulation first.

[@alyssasoto5489]

@@BackroadPurpose Yes, I plan to do the panels of foam. Thanks so much for the reply!

[@BackroadPurpose]

@@alyssasoto5489 very cool. We did 1.5" and doubled it in some spots and its quite cozy in the bus with a heater going. I'm hoping to wood and furniture will help a bit as well.

[@alyssasoto5489]

@@BackroadPurpose I am wanting to put a small wood stove in it, hopefully by next winter, if not in the budget by that point, I will use a buddy heater and my dog Sam to keep me warm. Lol I don't plan on being in super cold weather except for Christmas anyway. I watched a few of your videos and am now subscribed. I am hoping to learn a lot from you and a few others on youtube as I go. Thanks for sharing! Truly appreciated!

[@BackroadPurpose]

@@alyssasoto5489 we plan on doing the same thing! Minus sam. Lol let me know if there's anything else I might be able to help with.

[@Rene046]

looks great hope you closed all small hole to .. maybe with spray foam, and don't forget the cold will use the metal to, and are you also going to use a plastic to seal for moisture.. you dont want molds growing inside, wood can hold lost of water..

[@BackroadPurpose]

Yeah we spray foamed all of the open spots and ill keep and eye out for the moisture.

[@ckokomo808]

Thanks for the video! Just bought our bus and this is definitely priority as we’ll be traveling in the snow! Question- did you figure out electrical stuff before doing insulation?? Thanks!

[@BackroadPurpose]

I bet it is! It seems like the heat stays in better then the cold AC but that might just be me... and what do you mean exactly? I had a general idea on where I wanted to run the wires and where I wanted to put the outlets.

[@ckokomo808]

Backroad Purpose thanks for the response! Good things to know. I guess I’m asking how much of the actual wiring did you do before you installed insulation?? Thanks again!

[@iamhe999]

are you goimg to tape the seams? and doesnt that stuff gome with silver relective coatings?

[@stephenhansen8906]

Yep you ever heard if you don’t move it you loose it it probably sat for a while over where you bought it and while sitting things stop working properly condensation gets in the motor and the wires and things start failing the more you use it the more it heats up and so on

[@BackroadPurpose]

Yeah. Once we start to drive it more and more Im sure a few things will change but its part of the journey. Thanks for watching!

[@SergioBofill]

Really helpful video! I’m close to this step in the process. I have screws coming through the entire sidewall because of the metal guard. Did you grind them off? Thanks.

[@BackroadPurpose]

I'm glad it helped! No we left them there. I think they're apart of the structure. We put 2x2s on it and frame is out for our "walls" and intended up doubling the insulation on that section so the lower walls have a r15 value.

[@alexmcgowan5516]

Did you notice much of a space loss after doubling up the insulation on the sides? I have one layer of 1.5 inch in right now and am trying to decide if I should add an extra layer. Thanks!

[@BackroadPurpose]

Adding another layer brings it right out the the long ledge that runs front to back so we didn't loose any extra space.

[@joerobertson7047]

What kind of engine? If it's a Detroit diesel, its supposed to leak... if it ain't leaking oil, its not running. All jokes aside... I'm serious, I'm a diesel mechanic, every Detroit leaks oil.

[@BackroadPurpose]

Haha it is actually! That's quite funny. It's the dt466e.

[@innerpeaceimaginations6942]

Considering that you are a diesel mechanic, I am curious of what diesel engine would you recommend for a mid size bus? Would greatly appreciate your views.

[@misadventureswiththemartys312]

What did you do about thermal bridging? I, looking for solutions before we insulate.

[@BackroadPurpose]

I put small pieces of foam in-between the ribs and wood. Helps a little. So far this bus is super comfortable with our diesel heaters and 12k minisplit AC

[@misadventureswiththemartys312]

@@BackroadPurpose I was thinking about just putting a layer of plastic between the insulation and the wall covering thingy. How do you like your diesel heaters? Did you go for the cheaper ones? We are thinking about that as well.

[@brendalister7560]

It’s important to drive it. Vehicles are not meant to sit idle

[@The_real_Dr_mysterious]

Maybe invest in a Chinese diesel heater

[@jumpout4660]

you are close on the tank its 58.91 gallons its easy these days just go to google and look up volume calculator and put those measurements in and you get the results.

[@BackroadPurpose]

Yeah that's what I got too when I searched but I couldn't find a 58.91 gal tank for sale so I guess they just round up to 60.

[@itsmeowornever.8143]

Also not good at fancy math, but if you know what a 20 gal fish tank looks like you should be able to know by looking at the water container for sale.

[@BackroadPurpose]

Haha that sounds like a clever way to simplify it.

[@guyfrom8654]

A regular 20 gallon tank or a 20 long ? Cause they look different

[@bariettaperez]

@@guyfrom8654 gallon

[@outlawadventure7889]

What motor is in it. I can help with any mechanical issues.

[@BackroadPurpose]

We have the DT466E

[@Mamutoi44]

How did you remove the walls? Please help

[@BackroadPurpose]

You have to remove the screw or rivets and then cut it off under the window sill.

[@11TruthAssassin]

Can you do this with SPRAY FOAM instead ?

[@BackroadPurpose]

Hey mate! What do you mean exactly? Are you asking me to making a video of doing spray foam?

[@jumpout4660]

how many sheets did you end up using to insulate the bus

[@BackroadPurpose]

I believe it was around 25. That's all the way around and then double on the sides.

[@isaiahbangura4421]

What screws did you use for the subfloor?

[@BackroadPurpose]

we use 2" deck screws. and they worked great!

[@emma-maehacker2912]

How many boards did you actually use ?

[@BackroadPurpose]

I think it was around 30

[@hillaryconsultingservices]

Pros and cons of spray vs board?

[@chrissugg6781]

Asbestos at one point in time was the go to material in the building industry for its low cost, high durability value. As time went on we soon found out just how dangerous the material was for us! The same can be said for icing aka spray foam insulation. Even after 100% cured, spray foam insulation does under heat have a negative off gassing toxicity. It’s been proven that the off gassing from spray foam insulation is directly tied to the deterioration of aluminum HVAC coils in south Florida. The same exact kind of testing that led to the discovery of just how dangerous asbestos was. It’s one thing to have spray foam insulation in your homes attic, it’s another thing to have it in a close proximity living space where you are mere inches from its off gassing toxicity in a heat absorbing sheet metal bus. Stay safe my friends. We are in this for the long term!

[@BackroadPurpose]

Im not entirely sure. I honestly forgot after doing the research 1.5 years ago. from what I remember their both around the same r value per inch. I found these foam boards cheap and it was super easy to install. and after installing our heaters and ac, I'd even do it again. Its super comfy.

[@chrissugg6781]

@@BackroadPurpose the r-value for 3” of spray foam is around 27 so it’s significantly better and it really does keep this much cooler but you are trading off your over health for it.

[@BackroadPurpose]

@@chrissugg6781 oh ok. I guess it depends on which you get. Most of what I read was around r4-r6 per inch.

[@twigsam]

@@BackroadPurpose Now that you’re traveling in your schoolie, do you find that the insulation has worked well for preventing temperature swings and humidity? Has it worked well in a variety of climates?

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

0:59 $30 here

[@BackroadPurpose]

Bummer! Lowes was about $28 but HD was right at $21 I believe.

[@lousassle2327]

Nobody ever shows the old insulation ti show how bad it is. I call bullshit on gutting a bus out