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The vanlife => Van Conversion => Topic started by: Twinkltoes on May 04, 2018, 03:53:50 PM

Title: Sheep wool insulation
Post by: Twinkltoes on May 04, 2018, 03:53:50 PM
I just recently bought a 1995 chevy g20 conversion van and I am starting to gut the interior and plan how I want to build it. I was wanting an insulation that was ECO friendly and the brought me to sheep wool insulation. It is fairly new the in the vandwelling world but more and more people have started using it for some the benefits the wool has.
It has a relatively high R value, it is all natural and does not off gas, it cleans the air around it, it is naturally resistant to mold. It wicks and absorbs moisture off the walls while not feeling wet to the touch, it then releases the moisture in the air. It is also breathable so it will allow for ventilation.

It will be paired with Northern White Cedar walls which are water and mold resistant as well.

What are your opinions all wool insulation?

Links to builds/product info:
https://vacayvans.com/camper-van-insulation-reflectix-wool-spray-foam/
https://woolinsulation.com/fiberglass-insulation-vs-wool-insulation/
Title: Re: Sheep wool insulation
Post by: Camper_Dan on May 04, 2018, 08:36:04 PM
Greetings & Welcome!

DON'T GUT THE VAN !!!!  THAT'S THE BIGGEST MISTAKE MOST PEOPLE MAKE !!!

Keep the floor, walls, and ceiling intact. You'll regret gutting it !!!  The only people suggesting  gutting a van are the ones getting paid to promote stupid stuff.  Take out the seats and move your new interior in, and you're done.

While sheeps wool is great, insulation in a van doesn't work as expected because the necessary ventilation voids any benefits from insulation.  Without the ventilation, you'll get mold no matter what you do.

Don't put any holes in your roof for anything, because sooner or later they'll leak.  A $20 window fan is more effective than two $100+ roof vents.

Forget solar, charge your house battery(s) while driving, and if  that isn't enough get a CHEAP generator and put a quiet muffler on it.  Junkyard batteries are usually under $20, and last just as long as expensive new ones.

12v compressor fridges suck because they're too expensive and have too short of a life span.  Get a 3 way, or stick with an ice chest.

Anchor your new interior to the old seat anchors, then put a throw rug over the existing carpet so it's washable.

I can help you with kitchen and toilet/shower details, bed details, just about anything you need...

Cheers!

Dan



Title: Re: Sheep wool insulation
Post by: KevinSalyer on November 07, 2018, 08:39:15 AM
I believe that using a generator (diesel generator (https://www.dieselgeneratortech.com/genset/diesel-generator.html) or gasoline)for power supply is better than solar. Using solar equipment is really expensive and it really complicated. Add a silencer to the generator and it will be really quiet.
Title: Re: Sheep wool insulation
Post by: Camper_Dan on November 15, 2018, 10:41:19 PM
Greetings!

Absolutely, generators are cheaper, more reliable, and more versatile than solar.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Sheep wool insulation
Post by: Stardust on April 10, 2019, 12:18:54 AM
Hi Twinkltoes,
I just joined this forum, so just read your post about sheep wool insulation. Did you use it? How did it work?  In researching the various options, I am leaning towards this also due to its being sustainable, unlike almost all other popular choices.