I want to insulate the roof of my hiace, has anyone any tips for a good material to use. I don't know where to start.
You could try aircell permishield? Or maybe speak to an upholsterer to see if there's an insulated lining you could use.
Looking for a professional looking job?
If NOT, buy some 8mm closed cell foam sleeping mats from an outdoor / camping store (around $10-$12), and a tube or two of liquid nails (or kwik grip) and cut and paste. Get different coloured foam mats and get creative.
Select to expand quoteeasty said..
Looking for a professional looking job?
If NOT, buy some 8mm closed cell foam sleeping mats from an outdoor / camping store (around $10-$12), and a tube or two of liquid nails (or kwik grip) and cut and paste. Get different coloured foam mats and get creative.
Hmm, I always like to do a professional looking job, yet your idea has some merit...
solar roof fan, 70$ on ebay, got one on my iload, works a treat (even in the shade for hours)
Select to expand quoteRagnar said..easty said..
Looking for a professional looking job?
If NOT, buy some 8mm closed cell foam sleeping mats from an outdoor / camping store (around $10-$12), and a tube or two of liquid nails (or kwik grip) and cut and paste. Get different coloured foam mats and get creative.
Hmm, I always like to do a professional looking job, yet your idea has some merit...
You could go with easty's method, then line with a carpet-liner using spray contact adhesive for that professional look?
I have used pink batts for that job in the past then covered them with light weight laminated wood sheets. I bought the wood sheets from a specialist Caravan shop.
The important thing with pink batts is that you need to install a damp barrier over the top. The damp barrier is basically a sheet of plastic taped down with tape. There are a number of different products on the market for that job. Go to Bunnings and see what they have.
If you don't install the damp barrier the fibres will collaps when they get damp / wet. Also make sure you wear a protective mask. The fibres are quite small and shouldn't be inhaled.
Clark rubber sell a load of different foams.Roof vent would be good to stop condensation especially if you've got wet gear in the van.
Have all the girls you have sex with in the van donate their underwear for the cause!..... no damp barrier required!
Should offset the smell of wet sailing gear.
You will also save money on adhesive...
Ooooh was that a bit rude......just an idea I had.
A couple of ideas here, Dynamat won't insulate but will take out the rattles I have used R1.5 nylon wool bats almost everywhere depends on how much space you want to give up.
For self-adhesive insulation, suggest you try:
www.megasorber.com/
www.jenkinsrubber.com.au/?stg=657&view=657
Select to expand quotefitz66 said..
Clark rubber sell a load of different foams.Roof vent would be good to stop condensation especially if you've got wet gear in the van.
Yeah at about $50sqm 
I'd go for roof batts offcuts for free, maybe hard to find as they use every litlte bit?
Then if you can't find that, the white synthetic wadding they sell at Spotlight for filling teddy bears and blankets etc. It is about 50mm to 100mm thick and looks like a lower density roof batt.
Glue that in, then a layer of anything to hide it - cloth, vinyl, leather with studs and a disco ball, whatever.
Select to expand quotestehsegler said..
I have used pink batts for that job in the past then covered them with light weight laminated wood sheets. I bought the wood sheets from a specialist Caravan shop.
The important thing with pink batts is that you need to install a damp barrier over the top. The damp barrier is basically a sheet of plastic taped down with tape. There are a number of different products on the market for that job. Go to Bunnings and see what they have.
If you don't install the damp barrier the fibres will collaps when they get damp / wet. Also make sure you wear a protective mask. The fibres are quite small and shouldn't be inhaled.
Just be mindful that the insulation value for these type of batts is dependent on maintaining its thickness. Once you compress pink batts (or yellow or any glass fibre material) say from the specified 70mm to say 20mm it's virtually useless as an insulator. Also as these batts rely on the air space between fibre particles to do the insulation, that air on a humid day with wet gear in the van usually has a very high moisture content and as the sun goes down the surface temp of your metal roof cools much quicker than the ambient air temp thereby creating condensation on the underside of the roof which over time will rust it out prematurely (hence stehsegler's comment regarding the sisalation / damp proof barrier). if that damp course layer isn't tightly fitted to the metal and air gaps exist you can still get condensation on the underside of the roof.
I reckon Sailhack's suggestion to use an Aircell foil product would be economical and effective.
Great Info! Maybe I should paint the roof with something first? I don't like rust.
Select to expand quoteMagnus8 said..
Try Pink Batts R 3.5.
R3.5 batts are >160mm thick. As sausage said - if you compress the batts, the insulation property is lost.
Ideally a 'foil-backed' product with air sandwiched between would be the best for thickness, or in the least - a foam/styrene insulation. Carpet/flooring underlay should work to some degree as well?
If you want insulation from road noise. Try a solid bulkhead to screen off the drivers cabin.
There should be a safety benefit. Your AC and sound system will work a treat.
If your van lives in the sun, you probably have no choice, but cargo bay insulation seems to create as many problems as it solves.
Select to expand quoteIssa said..
If you want insulation from road noise. Try a solid bulkhead to screen off the drivers cabin.
There should be a safety benefit. Your AC and sound system will work a treat.
Yup, I've got all that. My cargo barrier has a plastic AC curtain and I've lined most of the rear of the barrier with those sport mat things to protect the noses of the boards. Sound is pretty much under control. I'm now thinking about temperature control when I'm camping in it in WA in January.
Select to expand quoteFez said..
Have all the girls you have sex with in the van donate their underwear for the cause!..... no damp barrier required!
Should offset the smell of wet sailing gear.
You will also save money on adhesive...
Ooooh was that a bit rude......just an idea I had.
Ragnars babes don't have underwear. P.S. I'll give you and Hags a hand with the guiness idea.
