Insulate and Install flooring | FOUR SEASON VAN LIFE | EP.27

DIY Van Build Step #27 Insulate and Install vinyl flooring
Another key part of making ROAMR a Four season van is the floors, so this week we Insulate our floors with 1.5" XPS Foam insulation board, Install our 1/2" Pine Sub Flooring and install our 4mm Vinyl floor which ended up looking better than I could have imagined.
Check it out and let me know what you think!!
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Products used to make this video possible:
BEHR Clear WP Paint: amzn.to/32Z6HKK
Plywood sheets: amzn.to/3jV57jp
XPS Insulation board: www.homedepot....
Sub Floor glue: amzn.to/2CV0vsI
Composite flooring: amzn.to/2P4nYdC
Camera, lights and tools:
Camera: amzn.to/3hzWRTQ
Microphone: amzn.to/3hIeDV4
LED work lights: amzn.to/39AdUSW
Sliding miter Saw: amzn.to/307DGLk
Miter saw stand: amzn.to/3f6yefJ
Drill Press: amzn.to/2Xj9c7l
Impact socket set: amzn.to/2BF6UaW
Dewalt drill set: amzn.to/331BmHn
Dewalt Skill saw: amzn.to/304ird4
Dewalt Jig saw: amzn.to/39yMD36
*Some links are not exact replicas but would be considered closest comparable available from Amazon
#vinylflooring #diyvanbuild #daresdrives

[@alexromero-v6v]

The floor looks 👌 😍 🔥

[@luisrodriguez6290]

That template was a nice touch. Definitely made everything simple and smooth

[@WizzRacing]

I Installed 1/2" Automotive grade high density rubber. Reflectix on top of that. Then laid 10mm XP Pergo flooring in my van. No wood to Rot. Mold, Mildew etc.. As that stuff as an R value of 9 without Reflectix as a radiant barrier and the flooring added...Been 8 years.. Plus I get the benefit of sound deadening...Best Decision I ever made. Along with 3M 600L Insulation and foil radiant barrier seam sealed. I can cool my van to 67 degree. Using nothing but a 6k BTU Ac unit....

[@goldyg6511]

Dude I work as HVAC energy I guy I thought the same thing about all these people not understanding about this foam panel insulation, do not cut it or as little as possible, support under it not around it .... thumbs up !!

[@robertwirth582]

I’m doing my floor now in a 2024 Sprinter. You have EDUCATED ME! I would have made too many mistakes without your video. Great job!

[@spiroszaharakis2648]

Finally, someone that gets it.

[@Vera-xu3xw]

Excellent video, thanks.

[@LUCYJane-r1i]

Hey dude, youre genius. Watched your video this morning. My subfloor was done in 3 hours and did it myself and i am a 61 year old woman. I didnt even glue it and i put the factory floor back in. I cant tell you how grateful i am. Simple, genius, easy, done. Thank you thank you. Ha ha. 3 hours. Ha ha

[@deirdre444]

That is SO cool. The more research I'm doing (KZbin University), the more inspired processes I come across making my van build easier this coming summer. Thanks for this video. Genius level. "Safety second, my friends." (Atchoo!) "Hoo, corona." Hilarious.

[@davidterrie7661]

I just found your channel. I get smarter with every video I watch. Thanks.

[@JoshuaScott-j5i]

Good explanation of putting in a floor thank you for your information

[@albertogamboa1065]

Nice 👍

[@tamaramathison5065]

We just bought a 1970 econoline ford van and I am so glad I came across your video. By far the most direct and easy insulation job. I am excited to do the same to my van!

[@tradmanmike3360]

GREAT VIDEO!!! REALLY GLAD I WATCHED AND SUBSCRIBED. ALWAYS THUMBS UP!

[@samb8996]

I loved your install Ninja Man !!

[@DaresDrives]

Haha YES!!! Thanks for watching!

[@sd6458]

Nice job

[@JimmyG1776]

Nice.

[@decolonizeEverywhere]

New sub! I've been looking for someone to make sense of insulating my van floor without turning it into a sticks and bricks construction job. Like you said everybody wants to build frames for things and I knew that wasn't necessary. Just had to find somebody who knew how to do it the right way, thanks.

[@twinsmomusa9904]

Great video

[@AnthonyEvans1990]

Cheers for a straight forward install idea!

[@mr.standing4christ491]

Great video thanks for the information brother! Did subscribe as well will share this at no cost to you just keep bringing the enjoyment. Thanks again and God bless always in these days and times. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you richly.

[@oliversimmons988]

great video

[@mln1669]

The floor looks great, I love it😍

[@weekendlovinggypsy1737]

That's awesome, glad I found you.

[@SamB-fv6su]

Following along Jeff - looking great !!

[@DaresDrives]

Awesome thank you for your support!!

[@TheShelbyCamperVan]

Thanks for this easier way to do the floors.

[@hedleypepper1838]

I think I'd go for the pir foam without foil. It's closed cell and pretty much a vapour barrier on its own. Use a good quality roll vinyl NOT planks as that is genuinely 100% waterproof. Once the cabinets etc are fixed in the floor ain't going anywhere... Good video thanks. Definitely no sticks and bricks In my van

[@intrinsically_m3]

I have been looking EVERYWHERE for this video!! I'm going to try it :) thank you!!

[@bluegabs]

Great video! The shortcuts make sense

[@lesliebrown6239]

nice!!!!!

[@rosacardoso4917]

Very good vídeo

[@thekingofthegamers2880]

First time ive seen the floor donne like this, looks good

[@1life2pono]

Great info and really enjoyed your narration. I found it very helpful, thank you!

[@leenichols4141]

good vid

[@sarahpicard9819]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@ganja2369]

Great floor.

[@allenjones5960]

Keep it up.

[@dariusbajoriunas7]

Thank you for the good ideas

[@angeladawn805]

5:02 "safety second, my friend..". Lol. You do have a point with the framing, and transferring housebuilding norms to vans. It IS a different kettle of fish. Thanks for taking sense :)

[@iverb2]

Thanks for the video.

[@howtovanlife]

Videos are awesome, I’m surprised the algorithm hasn’t picked them up yet

[@DaresDrives]

Awesome, thank you. Hopefully one day it will click!! Thanks for watching!

[@jesseperez8805]

Lookin awesome my friend!

[@leomoonify]

You did a stellar job on that floor!

[@lanicehudson8472]

You jus saved me a passel of work on framing, not to mention all the excess weight! Tks

[@chrisperkins1585]

Really cool

[@garykreutzer7692]

Nice to see someone simply the floor process without over thinking it.

[@davidjames2235]

well done.

[@onetruecalling]

I like your approach to flooring installation. It’s much easier and less time required then others I’ve view. Keep the vids coming, your doing great

[@wagnonalves4913]

Good job!

[@russellaustin8731]

Awesomeness

[@krisrodrigues1]

Because you begged I had to subscribe. But the video was well worth it! Good job, thank you.

[@empressVeeMiddleton]

Thanks

[@marshawilliams9383]

Hi I’ve just came across your video & I’m just starting my first van conversion & it’s a relief to see someone else had done what I ended up deciding to do in the end too. I just went off gut instincts for how to go about it as I didn’t want to loose any more height in van than necessary so I ended up deciding to run 3 timbers length ways separated evenly across van & to the exact height of the metal flooring grooves, then I laid my foam insulation down (except I put foil side down & green side facing up) wasn’t sure which side it was meant to go on & my thoughts was if there is any condensation from the other grooves in the metal floor then having the foil side facing down will deter any water vapour getting into the foam. I don’t know if I did the right thing or not. I also painted the marine ply with white undercoat sealant paint Then laid down thick marine ply then a 3mm insulation silver foil underlay on top of marine ply & below floating floor boards which I completed cutting out the underlay and taping down today & starting to cut & lay tongue & groove floor boards in tomorrow hence how I just came across your video refreshing my mind with laying floor boards down before I start on them tomorrow , my flooring isn’t screwed down either atm, the kitchen cupboards I was planning on screwing each cupboard to the cupboard next to it so it’s one big unit together & then screwing to kitchen cupboards to the wall framework. Atm it’s just all theories thought out in my head & I’ll adjust my method if i feel I will run into a problem. But it’s good having the reassurance that I’m on the right track. Thanks for your video. Cheers from Australia 🍻xx

[@papafishcake]

superb

[@nicolashoffman754]

This is great!

[@jakejohnson_]

One thing to note. When using this in a house, yes you can lay boards directly on top, then flooring. But in a house you don’t need to screw anything down into the floor because it dose not move. In a van there may be a need to screw items into the floor. Because of the make up of the PIR board the grab adhesive used is only touching the foil layer top and bottom which rips off very easily. If not using a frame bolting through the steel floor of the van would be best practice.

[@shevy5000]

Wouldn't screwing into the 1/2" plywood subfloor be secure enough? Wouldn't be relying on the insulation for any support

[@Moto290]

Thank you

[@eddiecamps6365]

Mr. Nija 🥷🏻 great floor turn out 👍🏼 💯

[@danielguilfuchi2561]

That was even better out of all the tape that scene makes it much easier thank you

[@V.Hansen.]

Underrated videos. They are quite good

[@DaresDrives]

WOW, thank you very much for your feedback and thanks for watching!!

[@richard4743]

Good job I save all ; for further use

[@harryt988]

Really well thought out install Jeff! Much respect to your process

[@DaresDrives]

The process is the key to keeping this moving forward. Thank you for watching and commenting!!

[@aremisstudios5149]

Good info. I appreciate your efforts and insight.

[@pachay68]

I really liked it but I would go with 1/8 of the inch diamond rubber floor for less weight. the rubber is durable and washable. just saying . do not take my word .I did it on my Astro van but good work

[@billridenour1]

Got into the series late but catching up. You are a good splaner - keep it up.

[@debwack1462]

Wow.. I really appreciate this tutorial! Thankful I found your channel! Great Job!!

[@davideckenroth8394]

I like that you kept the insulation panels at maximum size.

[@rchwha]

Great video. Presumably, you don't screw the tie downs too tight, as it will squash the insulation foam ?

[@angelitavanpelt5207]

I love your video its awesome and interesting to watch its not boring

[@RebelAtWar]

Looks good

[@kurtiswagner]

Holy, you just need some stainless steel appliances and you have yourself a fully modern apartment in a big city! Very exciting to see the big pieces get laid down as you see all the hard work come together. Loving the series, this is wonderful!

[@DaresDrives]

Thanks again Kurtis!!! Just wait till you see what is coming!!

[@TiaraPoodles]

Nice work Jeff!

[@lindseyiman9052]

I always thought the floor framing helped with installing other things, ie cabinets and the bed. Do you just stabilize everything using the wall framing?

[@simontatchell6386]

I learnt a thing or 2 that i will put to use shortly

[@dagnolia6004]

A plus

[@nicholasbate2269]

I'm going to be building a van in the near future! I've watched a lot of videos and yours has been the best at explaining

[@errtex]

Excellent tutorial video… my van is more of an “old school” style (1999) but flooring principle you’ve demonstrated here should work the same! Thanks!

[@AutoTuned]

Hey Dares, I want to let you know that your flooring style is quick and effective. I see others doing framing and I think its a waste of time. you really hit the point and I hope those looking to do subflooring go with this method. great work buddy.

[@DaresDrives]

Hello Auto Tuned, thank you so much for your response. I thought it was risky going outside the norm of what is typically done but I am very happy with the results.. Thanks again for watching!!

[@lkazanov]

100% agree. XPS has about 25psi by itself, compressive strength. Framing is a waste of time, resources, and energy. However, I would through bolt the plywood to the van floor using T nuts on the plywood side with graded bolts through the van body. I really believe that should be standard. And in this application, XPS is better than polyiso because of better moisture tolerance and compressive strength.

[@danielp.52]

In retrospec, three years later, was the decision to install SilverBoard foam panels without a wood structure a good decision? In other words, did your floor sagged or remained flat? You are the only van converter who used that method which to be true is much easier to install.

[@zakvierucci8220]

nice video, thanks

[@FernandaFoertter]

nice! I would have painted the ply subfloor with Killz just in case.

[@angeladawn805]

Yep, and plonk lino on top, as there's no joins to deal with, and the expansion and contraction with heat (the peel and stick ones are the worst, the glue fails in the head)

[@vanlifeforgoldenrhodes]

Well done, and great job on thinking ahead.

[@DaresDrives]

Thank you, at times it feels like I am thinking too far ahead and get distracted from the project at hand!! Hahaha. Thanks for watching!!

[@SuperGenerallee007]

Great video, good job. Thank you Jeff

[@tomaskey6844]

Great info!

[@LaurelHill2024]

Well done! thanks for taking the time.

[@DaresDrives]

Perfect, thank you for commenting and watching!

[@munecito]

I'm commenting to help because you helped me with your paint bomb video. 👍

[@Sikekele]

Perfect video

[@fboest]

Jeff...good point not having tons of hours to make this floor wooden frame, but my question is how you fasten the plywood floor onto insulation without its not floating from middle sections?

[@jackthefunshack8618]

Thanks for this video! We are building our van now and took the similar approach of no wood bracing between our XPS insulation. The one thi g we are doing different is we left the factory floor in and just sandwhiching our insulation under plywood subfloor on top. The subfloor is secured via the tiedowns (we are using g 80/20 also attached to tie downs and additionally secured to plywood in other spots). If it doesn't work as we hoped we built this thi g, we can fix it later.

[@michellevancini3811]

Yes you ARE a Ninja! Fantastic job simplifying the process.

[@dthomas3065]

Thank you your explanation and demo of laying foam insulation without battens made total sense

[@DaresDrives]

Perfect, glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ernestomedina7885]

Saw another video where they traced and cut the laminated floor outside probably easier n less time, I'm taking the best ideas from all of you guys building vans

[@MrGottaGo]

Nice

[@rodulfomolina1099]

Great video finally a floor make sense!!!!

[@myopinion8610]

Nice floor

[@jcb67]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Excellent production. Great presentation and instructional style. I am new to your videos and truly appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm. I will be doing my own build soon and look forward to watching more videos. Please keep up the good work. John

[@stillrandy]

Hey Jeff, thank you so much. I have never thought that putting down a 2x2 wood frame was a good idea. I've tried to explain this to a few people, but you did a great job of it. Thermal transfer is not understood by most.

[@DaresDrives]

Thanks Randy, I agree thermal transfer is something that seems to be difficult for people to grasp, but is the main premise behind insulation. Really noticed that when I speak about the Lizard skin we did as well.. **Just saw your share on Vanlife Canada as well.. Thank you very much!!

[@stillrandy]

@@DaresDrives hey Jeff, I don't share a lot of videos, but I thought yours needs to get out there. It seems it sure got its fair share of comments eh! 😎

[@DaresDrives]

It is all because of people like yourself sharing it. Thank you so much, I appreciate it more than you can imagine!!

[@Gypsie33]

I am curious why you used sanded plywood for the subfloor instead of simply re-using the old Sprinter floor?

[@user-bt4mj6oi8m]

Good job; clean and simple.

[@oysterhoys]

Love your video's