Van Build Ep 10 - Insulation and Sound Proofing

[@OurRetiredLife]

We just started our insulation, Alex asked me to find your video because "he did a good job with his van". Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@MathersOnTheMap]

thank you Yula! best of luck with the build!

[@LastNameTom]

We just got done insulating the inside of our van with the Rockwool and reflectix. You want to make sure that you DO NOT pack as much wool in as possible. The "fluff" is what insulates, not the actual material as it creates air pockets. packing it tight is a waste and you'll lose all insulation properties. We also went over the insulation and put reflictix over the rockwool insulated areas and made sure there was at least an inch or two of a gap between the reflectix and the wool to keep the fibers contained and add a bit of an R value to it. I hear you on the height problem. I'm 6'5" and had to get the extra tall Transit and still only have an inch left after the floor insulation and ceiling! Keep it up!!

[@MathersOnTheMap]

Tom Lastname appreciate it!!! We have our reflectix pretty loose to provide somewhat of an air gap. Definitely not as good as you with an inch or two but there’s a gap in most spots. the damn height issue!!! I wish We could insulate our floor better but I do not want to bend my head at all! We’ll see if I regret it or not. Hoping the espar diesel heater will keep us toasty

[@bobbylim3016]

Wow thanks so much for the info!! By the way you went through a quite of transformation yourself during the process of the whole insulation install. At the beginning you started it off as California Surf Dude then the mid part you turned into a Yuppy then at the end you turned into an Uncle.

[@johnpitman2292]

You might want to rethink the wool. I bought a 2008 Dodge Sprinter and they used wool on the bottom panels. There are external plastic protective body strips that are held on with plastic clips through the body. Moisture came through the clip hole and collected within the wool and created body rust. You might want to seal the clip holes inside with silicon sealer, but as for me , I am going with another style of insulation in the lower panels. The upper side panels did not have any problems.

[@MathersOnTheMap]

We sealed those plastic clips up when we added the truck bed liner to the van!

[@paulstephens9274]

With polyiso the foil is the vapor barrier not needing Reflectix

[@breadfan_85]

For the wool, they make machines, which you can rent, that will fluff it and blast in directly into every nook and cranny. Better results with less time and effort.

[@MathersOnTheMap]

Good to know! Who is they? Would love to check it out

[@breadfan_85]

@@MathersOnTheMap I don't know any specific brands, sorry. Best bet would be to just check a local tool and equipment rental shop.

[@MathersOnTheMap]

Will do for the future!

[@breadfan_85]

@@MathersOnTheMap glad I could help 😊.

[@treynewsom1817]

Home Depot or Lowe's have blow-in insulation machines but it would take a ton of wool in this case. May work well... may not.

[@julietkingsbury370]

Hello - It's been 1 1/2 years since you did the insulation. Would you change anything about what you did? Thank you.

[@MathersOnTheMap]

I would not put reflectix on the floor, what a waste of time!

[@brianbaxter2595]

Regarding comment below...Reflectix isn't only for windows! (where did you get that information from?) Anyway...all installations shown in this video requires an air gap to work (as per the manufactures instructions...go to their web site) . This product is designed to limit radiant heat transfer. I don't see this product works as shown in this video. It is simply jambed between two surfaces (like floor and plywood) A lot of work that will no produce the results you wanted.

[@AlohaCoastJoinery]

Hi, noting the below comments on Reflectix on metal and your need for height over R number for the floor (I am 6'2") it looks like there maybe so 3x1's under the back portion of the original truck flooring when you explain about the back edging. did you create a low wooden frame throughout or just certain areas (PS I am 52 so hoping that by the time I use my van I will have shrunk a couple of inches :) I love the idea of the space gain of using truck Reflectix only then original truck flooring with flooring on top for the space.......presume you are not feeling issues in use (unless in very cold temperatures perhaps? I am not planning to go anywhere cold ever! But I guess it could happen. Thanks for your build series. Very honest and very helpful.

[@MathersOnTheMap]

If you’re just doing reflectix on the floor I wouldn’t even bother! If I did it again I’d put that really thin foam insulation I think it’s pink? But I’m not sure if I would if I 100% wasn’t going in cold weather. We didn’t think we would either but here we are in -8 degrees in west Yellowstone. Biggest help is a runner rug on top of our flooring otherwise it’s FREEZING But if you’re staying in over 50 degrees don’t even bother with the floor just put a rug over it

[@AlohaCoastJoinery]

@Mathers On The Map thanks for your advice. Think I have completed watching the build series now. Thank you for the generosity of your time to explain things. Very much appreciated. I try to do the same on my channel. Thanks again and keep up the great work and great content.

[@tamnguyenfamilychannel8711]

Hello, did you put 1/2 foam board before or after the reflectix? that would brought the floor higher and able to screw in the original floor. Thanks

[@MathersOnTheMap]

No foam board on the floor unfortunately!

[@peterobukhovski7599]

Any squeaky noise out of foam boards?

[@wkchong1]

Kevin. What type of wire you use to wire the lighting? Regular NM-B 14 gauge?

[@MathersOnTheMap]

16awg for lights 👌🏻

[@jkyoft78]

in terms of order, it seems you installed windows & roof fan first, then insulation, then electrical, then plumbing?

[@MathersOnTheMap]

yep that's right Dave! basically all of the exterior was done before insulation then electrical but grounding to the chassis was before completing insulation, plumbing was after all of that. You definitely want your plumbing on the inside of insulation not behind it especially if you'll be in colder temperatures!

[@jkyoft78]

@@MathersOnTheMap thanks!

[@bennymbrown7765]

Hey Kevin, where did get the sound barrier at

[@danmilner6738]

Hi Kevin, I'm similar height (6' 2") and I was wondering if you have any regrets not putting insulation on the floor or do you enjoy not having to worry about hitting your head? Anything you would have done differently on that? Thanks! Dan

[@MathersOnTheMap]

I would maybe do thin foam but it’s unlikely it would do that much to benefit from it. I absolutely LOVE not having to worry about my head I can’t imagine having to bend it... would hate that

[@MySonsMother]

Where the reflectix touches any metal it becomes a conductor.

[@MathersOnTheMap]

Hey yes you’re right, when it touches the metal it does act as a conductor. For our build we have an air gap everywhere. However on our floor, some of the reflectix does touch the metal. A big concern of mine is standing room height being 6’1” so I didn’t want to elevate the floor too much

[@gomxproductions]

i believe with whool insukation u get moisture on chassis because of humidity. not good

[@bjbhehir]

you need to do more research on insulation!!

[@ZILAwelds]

sorry to find this video so late. you might as well tear all this out again, the reflectics will help you trap water where you put it and make your van rust out very quick and that rockwool insulation will get in your lungs and itch everywhere on your body ... it will be horrible ..... who am I to tell you this - just some Whole commenting on a KZbin video .... I bought a van that was done wrong and I build 2 vans myself so far ... I kind of found out the hard war what worked and what doesn't ... and those wheel wells need to be covered completely in rattle trap ..... sorry, shoot the messenger or delete my comment - or if you want my help or more information reply to this comment and I will give you my contact information or contact me on IG. @zilawelds

[@LastNameTom]

As long as you put a barrier between the wool and the van, its fine. That stuff is MUCH better than regular insulation when it comes to "flaking off" and floating around. I put up 3 bags of rockwool without a mask and ripping it up and hardly had any issues coughing or itching. So daily use of it sitting behind a wall (and hopefully with a vapor barrier) there would be no problems.

[@donnalanda1878]

Do you have a 2500 or 3500 sprinter van ?

[@MathersOnTheMap]

Hey Donna! This is a 2500 Sprinter

[@maddie4077]

Enjoyed the video but please do away with that God awful music in the early part of the video. I had to mute it until it was over.