😔 Well, I feel like quite the numpty. 🤦 It just dawned on me as I was cutting up my foam board that it was "pilling" or balling up into chunks as you cut it... which Polyiso shouldn't do, and yet my boards were... well that's because I bought polystyrene foam boards by mistake. It's not the end of the world, these are still mold and pest resistant, but they are only rated to R3.8 vs R6. If I could find any in-stock near me I'd probably switch, but sadly everywhere seems to be out of stock. 😭
Thank you Eric for this information ... as someone who's allergic to wool I'll probably be going with the thinsulate option in spite of the pricing... I'll also be doing a significant amount of time in Florida for beach time so keeping cool...a relevant issue. A thought to consider for the windows is interior ceramic coating... a total boss for thermal assist. Just do it 😎
OMG This was my favorite video so far! I looooved all your little jokes and commentary and accents and playfulness in this one. And I’m definitely sold on all the wool. Just bought a bunch of cashmere pants for my Utah winter… same benefits as wool, right?
So after some quick research, it looks like cashmere also wicks moisture and both are antimicrobial, however evidently Merino has Lanolin which can cause allergies in some, but is the key element in Merino's anti-odor properties that cashmere lacks. But on the plus side, cashmere has more loft/insulation for it's equivalent weight vs Merino, and it's smaller fibers make it softer to the touch. 😍
I remember that spray foam stain debacle! 😂 You seem a bit traumatized by that incident 🤔 Is havelock fire resistant? Also, loving that Arc'teryx jacket! She's so beautiful 😍
Merino Wool is naturally fire resistant! 🤯 One of the video sources I link in the description actually shows trying to light it on fire in a comparison vs hemp wool. Oh, that sprayfoam mishap. 😭 Every time I put on that stained wool Hoodie I shed a tear.
I installed R-13 insulation inside my side and rear car doors, that was a big game changer. (it added to the quietness) Then the usual top, side and floor insulation.
lol You really got distracted there for a while with that light lol. The wool stuff is very interesting. Im trying to decide on insulation myself. Still in planning phase. I think spray foam meets all my needs. The only down side i see with it is the permanent nature of it. There's no resale of my van that isn't to another van dweller. With wool. Well its always possible to make it look less like a camper van. Thought would i ever take that effort? Probably not. Im in a location where temperatures never go below 0C. The heat is more likely the issue in summer. I know this next point makes so little sense. .. it also feels like spray foam covers up all my hard work!!!
Erik, I heard that, if not careful used, the expanding foam can actually cause the van's outer skin to bulge. Evidently it's that strong but I don't have personal experience with it, just something I've heard.
Hey Brian! You're totally right about expanding foam possibly damaging or "denting" the outer shell if you use too much. It can also block your door lock's and handle's ability to actuate if you aren't careful and leave enough space.
@@ErikJohnson2020 Oh and one last thing on this, thanks for the illustration regarding the different types of Thermal Transfer because it's important that folks who are converting vans know this.
The problem with poly-iso is that its insulative properties DECREASE as the temperature drops - the opposite of what you want it to do. XPS is a better floor insulator for most of us.
Holy cow! You're right! At 75°F polyiso has an r-value of 6/in, but at 15°F it drops all the way down to 2/in! I'm lucky I accidentally bought polystyrene foam then!
With a bit of research you will find wool will easily mold and mildew. Not sure where you got the info that says differently. Wool does retain insulating ability when wet but it is also slow drying. Mold will grow on the surface of anything that remains wet, metal, wood, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, stone etc.
Hi John! As I mentioned in my video I linked several of the main sources for my info in the description of the video, but you can also google the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of wool in comparison to the other build materials you are considering. Best of luck in your research!
Really good info content. I feel your funny bits (bear grylls , impersonation voices etc etc) are maybe distracting from the content. Which is a pity as it's otherwise really good info keep that up.
Hi Greatness! I actually made a 2 part series on my van floor insulation and support structure. At the end of the second part I talked about what I would have done differently, if you were interested. Thanks for leaving a comment though!
Regarding the hood reaching to the nose, I suspect some stoned designer wanted to put goggles over the eyes, but the higher-ups nixed the goggles but forgot to shorten the material. Regarding insulation, I am surprised to see only one van converter use Lizard skin. It reaches all those ares insulation may not, and it covers those heat bridges like the beams. I am considering lizard skin first, then kilmat, then probably wool everywhere. I wonder about the floor, being the lowest point where pooling can occur, leaving the space between ribs open will promote ventilation and avoid water pooling and rusting. I am thinking about putting cork sheet over the beams as additional barrier for heat bridging, BTW: is the transit high or medium roof?
LOL, I'm sure the hood is designed to fit a variety of sporting helmets, I just wish they gave you a vertical drawstring to help cinch up the extra material when you don't need it 99% of the time. Yeah, George at Humble Road used Lizard Skin on the underside of his most recent build as a form of rust protection and a tiny bit of extra insulation, however if you're considering adding it to the inside of your van and predominantly as a form of insulation I think you can find a lot more cost effective and efficient forms of insulation - not to mention the time involved to apply it. Now, there might be something to be said about spraying it on the inside of the floor since we do expect all the moisture to drain and collect down there until it's able to evaporate, so you could be on to something!
Thanks for commenting! 🥰 So the issue isn't the vapor barrier itself, it's the inability to make the insulated wall completely airtight because the vans have holes all throughout to drain water, so air and moisture is getting in, and it'll just be harder to dry out because you've limited airflow with the Tyvec.
The air gap between the solar panels will help reduce heat in the summer, but will do nothing to help keep the van warm in the winter. Also, it does nothing to reduce the issues of water condensation when you warm the inside of the van.
😔 Well, I feel like quite the numpty. 🤦
It just dawned on me as I was cutting up my foam board that it was "pilling" or balling up into chunks as you cut it... which Polyiso shouldn't do, and yet my boards were... well that's because I bought polystyrene foam boards by mistake.
It's not the end of the world, these are still mold and pest resistant, but they are only rated to R3.8 vs R6. If I could find any in-stock near me I'd probably switch, but sadly everywhere seems to be out of stock. 😭
I think you can actually witness in real time me losing my mind. Once I get to my window coverings, it's all on the table. 😅
Best explanation I have heard yet!
🥰🥰 Thanks! Glad it helped!
Thank you Eric for this information ... as someone who's allergic to wool I'll probably be going with the thinsulate option in spite of the pricing... I'll also be doing a significant amount of time in Florida for beach time so keeping cool...a relevant issue. A thought to consider for the windows is interior ceramic coating... a total boss for thermal assist. Just do it 😎
OMG This was my favorite video so far! I looooved all your little jokes and commentary and accents and playfulness in this one. And I’m definitely sold on all the wool. Just bought a bunch of cashmere pants for my Utah winter… same benefits as wool, right?
So after some quick research, it looks like cashmere also wicks moisture and both are antimicrobial, however evidently Merino has Lanolin which can cause allergies in some, but is the key element in Merino's anti-odor properties that cashmere lacks.
But on the plus side, cashmere has more loft/insulation for it's equivalent weight vs Merino, and it's smaller fibers make it softer to the touch. 😍
What about *V.I.P.* ? Vacuum Insulation Panels? @@ErikJohnson2020
I remember that spray foam stain debacle! 😂 You seem a bit traumatized by that incident 🤔 Is havelock fire resistant? Also, loving that Arc'teryx jacket! She's so beautiful 😍
Merino Wool is naturally fire resistant! 🤯 One of the video sources I link in the description actually shows trying to light it on fire in a comparison vs hemp wool.
Oh, that sprayfoam mishap. 😭 Every time I put on that stained wool Hoodie I shed a tear.
I'm a huge merino wool fan for backpacking, and you're speakin' my language! Getting ready to insulate my van, thanks for the great video!
I like your presentation style and the way your mind works. Definitely subscribing!
Well I'm glad somebody out here appreciates it! 😌
Wool is good but not so great inside a wall, the water weep holes provide little air circulation around the wool to allow moisture evaporation.
I installed R-13 insulation inside my side and rear car doors, that was a big game changer. (it added to the quietness) Then the usual top, side and floor insulation.
lol You really got distracted there for a while with that light lol.
The wool stuff is very interesting. Im trying to decide on insulation myself. Still in planning phase. I think spray foam meets all my needs. The only down side i see with it is the permanent nature of it. There's no resale of my van that isn't to another van dweller. With wool. Well its always possible to make it look less like a camper van.
Thought would i ever take that effort? Probably not. Im in a location where temperatures never go below 0C. The heat is more likely the issue in summer.
I know this next point makes so little sense. .. it also feels like spray foam covers up all my hard work!!!
"My Ted Talk on Wool"
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Right?! lol
Erik, I heard that, if not careful used, the expanding foam can actually cause the van's outer skin to bulge. Evidently it's that strong but I don't have personal experience with it, just something I've heard.
Hey Brian! You're totally right about expanding foam possibly damaging or "denting" the outer shell if you use too much. It can also block your door lock's and handle's ability to actuate if you aren't careful and leave enough space.
@@ErikJohnson2020 Oh and one last thing on this, thanks for the illustration regarding the different types of Thermal Transfer because it's important that folks who are converting vans know this.
Haaa it's all good on the mic. : )
The problem with poly-iso is that its insulative properties DECREASE as the temperature drops - the opposite of what you want it to do. XPS is a better floor insulator for most of us.
That's not something I've heard before. Do you know how much it decreases and at what temperatures?
Holy cow! You're right! At 75°F polyiso has an r-value of 6/in, but at 15°F it drops all the way down to 2/in!
I'm lucky I accidentally bought polystyrene foam then!
With a bit of research you will find wool will easily mold and mildew. Not sure where you got the info that says differently. Wool does retain insulating ability when wet but it is also slow drying. Mold will grow on the surface of anything that remains wet, metal, wood, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, stone etc.
Hi John! As I mentioned in my video I linked several of the main sources for my info in the description of the video, but you can also google the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of wool in comparison to the other build materials you are considering. Best of luck in your research!
ADHD at its finest ! 🤣 but in a serious note, probably the best educational videos/channel ive found on youtube. thanks eric
My favorite part was at 20:28 😂
Funny stuff. Thanks
Very educational and entertaining, thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Really good info content. I feel your funny bits (bear grylls , impersonation voices etc etc) are maybe distracting from the content. Which is a pity as it's otherwise really good info keep that up.
Do you have a video of how to insulate the van
Got my van. Gonna copy you for insulation O_O Also, what’d you do for the floor? Like in this video bc I don’t have anything down yet
Hi Greatness! I actually made a 2 part series on my van floor insulation and support structure. At the end of the second part I talked about what I would have done differently, if you were interested. Thanks for leaving a comment though!
Regarding the hood reaching to the nose, I suspect some stoned designer wanted to put goggles over the eyes, but the higher-ups nixed the goggles but forgot to shorten the material.
Regarding insulation, I am surprised to see only one van converter use Lizard skin. It reaches all those ares insulation may not, and it covers those heat bridges like the beams. I am considering lizard skin first, then kilmat, then probably wool everywhere. I wonder about the floor, being the lowest point where pooling can occur, leaving the space between ribs open will promote ventilation and avoid water pooling and rusting. I am thinking about putting cork sheet over the beams as additional barrier for heat bridging,
BTW: is the transit high or medium roof?
LOL, I'm sure the hood is designed to fit a variety of sporting helmets, I just wish they gave you a vertical drawstring to help cinch up the extra material when you don't need it 99% of the time. Yeah, George at Humble Road used Lizard Skin on the underside of his most recent build as a form of rust protection and a tiny bit of extra insulation, however if you're considering adding it to the inside of your van and predominantly as a form of insulation I think you can find a lot more cost effective and efficient forms of insulation - not to mention the time involved to apply it. Now, there might be something to be said about spraying it on the inside of the floor since we do expect all the moisture to drain and collect down there until it's able to evaporate, so you could be on to something!
@@mrgcav Thanks
Did you consider tyvec for insulation?
Thanks for commenting! 🥰
So the issue isn't the vapor barrier itself, it's the inability to make the insulated wall completely airtight because the vans have holes all throughout to drain water, so air and moisture is getting in, and it'll just be harder to dry out because you've limited airflow with the Tyvec.
When you install solar panels on a van with an air gap between, doesn't that keep the van cooler with the shade? Do they block radiant heat
The air gap between the solar panels will help reduce heat in the summer, but will do nothing to help keep the van warm in the winter. Also, it does nothing to reduce the issues of water condensation when you warm the inside of the van.
What about lizard skin?
too many words and got goofy
Glad you stuck it out though and took the time to comment!
not funny mate, i was hoping for an informative video but git chit comedy NOT