Alternative to 4 way stretch carpet

[fishplug]

There are some areas where 4 way stretch is pretty much the only option (sliding door etc) but I'm really not a big fan of the way it looks.

There are some nice finishes on the lightweight furniture ply but the price of them is just too much for my budget.

The walls are going to be 9mm ply so I could just paint it but it would be nice to have something that helps hide the join between panels.

I did consider those hygienic wall coverings for showers with some silicone bead but I'm afraid it would feel too 'plastic'

I'm open to suggestions of alternative options or non-stretch fabrics that could be used.

 

[Diabalo]

Caravan wallpaper?

https://www.thecaravanwarehouse.co.uk/Products/wall-papers

 

[Mikeco]

There are some areas where 4 way stretch is pretty much the only option (sliding door etc) but I'm really not a big fan of the way it looks.

There are some nice finishes on the lightweight furniture ply but the price of them is just too much for my budget.

The walls are going to be 9mm ply so I could just paint it but it would be nice to have something that helps hide the join between panels.

I did consider those hygienic wall coverings for showers with some silicone bead but I'm afraid it would feel too 'plastic'

I'm open to suggestions of alternative options or non-stretch fabrics that could be used.

Instead of using 9mm ply which is quite heavy try using 6mm ply and then 3mm thick facing board, you have a choice of different colours and wood effect ones.
Magnums in Grimsby have a range of carpets which includes a ribbed effect which I have used on my walls

 

[philann]

I think our swift Mondial is only lined with something like 3mm board with a fabric covering and insulation behind. I think 9mm would be really heavy and eat into your payload.

 

[Next Stop]

I used T&G on ours, and painted it with chalky furniture paint with a bit of lacquer for protection.
If I was to do it again though I'd choose a better quality wood rather than the B&Q stuff as the wood does shrink a bit in hot dry weather and opens some of the joints slightly.

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[MisterB]

No idea if this would work, but you can get kitchen doors etc 'modernised' by having them resprayed. Could you have your wall panels sprayed once you have cut and scribed them to the correct shape/dimensions?

 

[Lumpy]

I used 4mm ply panels covered in crib5 foam backed vinyl, the sort that is used in boats. Easy to clean, fire resistant and easy to replace if damaged.

 

[fishplug]

I have a spray painter, so that's definitely an option (and currently the most likely one)

I ruled out tongue and groove for exactly the expand/contract reasons. We had that in an old VW when I was a kid and you could see the difference between where it had been varnished and where it hadn't.

Has anyone used 6mm ply? I was slightly concerned it would warp with heat / humidity.

I did consider a 5/6mm moisture resistant MDF as I think it has better dimensional stability. I just don't like working with the stuff as the dust off it is nasty. I do have a proper respirator so can work MDF safely but it's just an extra level of faff.

Never heard of crib5 foam backed vinyl - off to research it now. Thanks Lumpy

*edit - coo, it's not cheap but it does look like exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Really appreciated.

 

[Lumpy]

I have a spray painter, so that's definitely an option (and currently the most likely one)

I ruled out tongue and groove for exactly the expand/contract reasons. We had that in an old VW when I was a kid and you could see the difference between where it had been varnished and where it hadn't.

Has anyone used 6mm ply? I was slightly concerned it would warp with heat / humidity.

I did consider a 5/6mm moisture resistant MDF as I think it has better dimensional stability. I just don't like working with the stuff as the dust off it is nasty. I do have a proper respirator so can work MDF safely but it's just an extra level of faff.

Never heard of crib5 foam backed vinyl - off to research it now. Thanks Lumpy

Martrim is a good place to start.

 

[Raul]

When we did our van, I got few sheets of wall board (3-4)mm for the walls and ceiling, its a ply with the vinyl on top. I drove to O'Leary Motorhomes, and filled the van up with parts before conversion. Went in for few bits, and ended up spending about 4k in there. Didn't know they stoked that sort of stuff. The guy used to do conversions in the past, new his stuff, and helped me with my needs. He let me wonder a little at the back to see what he's got, and advised where I was not sure.
For the walls and ceilings, 5 years later now, I'm glad I took his advice for the walls.
My reassurance to buy from there all other parts, was costumer service, and you should seen ppl coming in with all sorts of issues, and he was able to help, or find discontinued parts.

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[Gellyneck]

I have a spray painter, so that's definitely an option (and currently the most likely one)

I ruled out tongue and groove for exactly the expand/contract reasons. We had that in an old VW when I was a kid and you could see the difference between where it had been varnished and where it hadn't.

Has anyone used 6mm ply? I was slightly concerned it would warp with heat / humidity.

I did consider a 5/6mm moisture resistant MDF as I think it has better dimensional stability. I just don't like working with the stuff as the dust off it is nasty. I do have a proper respirator so can work MDF safely but it's just an extra level of faff.

Never heard of crib5 foam backed vinyl - off to research it now. Thanks Lumpy

*edit - coo, it's not cheap but it does look like exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Really appreciated.

If you wanted to use timber rather than using t&g you could think about grooved weatherboard pre-sprayed before installation so any movement is "invisible".

 

[oldiesontour]

I used 3mm ply (black one side) from Magnum it's some they bought in bulk from a caravan builder it's about 7' x4' from memory £10 a sheet for wall and ceiling panels some carpeted some with wallboard (3mm)glued with carpet glue directly on top ,again magnum they stock it in the same colours/designs as the lightweight ply,some of which I used for furniture other furniture made in std ply faced with wallboard.Bathroom all ply walls 9mm clad inside with Formica sheet again another magnum bulk purchase 8x 4 £30
If sensibly framed 9mm wall/ceiling board is totally over the top ,my van was done 2 yrs ago and nothing has moved/warped or twisted

 

[oldiesontour]

Should have also said I only used 6mm for the floor.L3 H2 2020 Peugeot Boxer

 

[fishplug]

Should have also said I only used 6mm for the floor.L3 H2 2020 Peugeot Boxer

Oh! Same as mine (except for the word Peugeot crossed out and Citroën written in in crayon!)

Did you do the 25mm batten / PIR under that?

If 6mm works then I'll save myself some weight and money! I'm planning to put something like an Altro floor on top of the ply.

Magnum are the wrong side of the country for me, but it might still be worth it. Putting together a shopping list....

 

[oldiesontour]

Oh! Same as mine (except for the word Peugeot crossed out and Citroën written in in crayon!)

Did you do the 25mm batten / PIR under that?

If 6mm works then I'll save myself some weight and money! I'm planning to put something like an Altro floor on top of the ply.

Magnum are the wrong side of the country for me, but it might still be worth it. Putting together a shopping list....

Think I used some around 38 x 19 ISH cut on saw bench .If you want the 3 mm ply or Formica check if the still have it ,yes I used 38 mm pir insulation throughout

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[fishplug]

They've still got plenty of the £10 black 3mm ply but it's collection only and that's a 6h round trip for me....

Would need to get some other bits while I was there to make the journey worthwhile, but it's a contender - especially for the ceiling which I want to be as light and thin as possible.

 

[Mikeco]

They've still got plenty of the £10 black 3mm ply but it's collection only and that's a 6h round trip for me....

Would need to get some other bits while I was there to make the journey worthwhile, but it's a contender - especially for the ceiling which I want to be as light and thin as possible.

Well worth a trip to Magnums and you could stop at Cleethorpes overnight.

 

[oldiesontour]

They've still got plenty of the £10 black 3mm ply but it's collection only and that's a 6h round trip for me....

Would need to get some other bits while I was there to make the journey worthwhile, but it's a contender - especially for the ceiling which I want to be as light and thin as possible.

If the Formica is still available and the colour suits it's good for bathroom and worktops,the wallboard looks identical to lightweight ply and is less than half the price,the other stuff they sell is as everywhere silly dear but they are as cheap as anyone .I've just took a one season old 3 way fridge out and replaced it with a 240v fridge/freezer we find a separate freezer is essential also took out the Thetford oven ..having a microwave we didn't use it much and now have an air fryer oven type.
I swopped the 220amp lead acids for 640amp of self built lithium's (we never use hook up)We have a full height garage to carry all the gubbins and 2 folding ebikes (self built around aluminium frames.

Well worth a trip to Magnums and you could stop at Cleethorpes overnight.

Good idea if it's open the stadium site is great on the sea front near Chinese buffet ,carvery pub,easy walk to town ..we only live 20ish miles away but went twice this year for a few days

 

[fishplug]

Formica not listed on the website, but there are a few possible options for the wallboard. Would need to see / feel them in person to choose.

Not sure about going off camping in an uninsulated van at this time of year, and then reminded myself that I did exactly that this time last year with a ten day impromptu jaunt to France. Jerry rigged the batteries and solar panels to power the heater and ended up not needing it as it was so mild! I did put it on once, but that was just because I'd spent so much time and energy building a roof rack, getting the solar panels up and cobbling together an electrical board and I didn't want it all to have been for nothing!

Mind you a six hour round trip isn't really an issue either. I'm an early bird so could leave at 06:00, be there for opening at 09:00 spend a couple of hours releasing the moths from my wallet, have a spot of lunch and be home just before the rush hour.

Tempting.

 

[oldiesontour]

Formica not listed on the website, but there are a few possible options for the wallboard. Would need to see / feel them in person to choose.

Not sure about going off camping in an uninsulated van at this time of year, and then reminded myself that I did exactly that this time last year with a ten day impromptu jaunt to France. Jerry rigged the batteries and solar panels to power the heater and ended up not needing it as it was so mild! I did put it on once, but that was just because I'd spent so much time and energy building a roof rack, getting the solar panels up and cobbling together an electrical board and I didn't want it all to have been for nothing!

Mind you a six hour round trip isn't really an issue either. I'm an early bird so could leave at 06:00, be there for opening at 09:00 spend a couple of hours releasing the moths from my wallet, have a spot of lunch and be home just before the rush hour.

Tempting.

When I bought the Formica it wasn't on website but they had pallets of it might be worth ringing them.

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[Mikeco]

Formica not listed on the website, but there are a few possible options for the wallboard. Would need to see / feel them in person to choose.

Not sure about going off camping in an uninsulated van at this time of year, and then reminded myself that I did exactly that this time last year with a ten day impromptu jaunt to France. Jerry rigged the batteries and solar panels to power the heater and ended up not needing it as it was so mild! I did put it on once, but that was just because I'd spent so much time and energy building a roof rack, getting the solar panels up and cobbling together an electrical board and I didn't want it all to have been for nothing!

Mind you a six hour round trip isn't really an issue either. I'm an early bird so could leave at 06:00, be there for opening at 09:00 spend a couple of hours releasing the moths from my wallet, have a spot of lunch and be home just before the rush hour.

Tempting.

Seaview Motor home park should be open on the seafront in Cleethorpes, don’t believe that it’s expensive as it’s only a car park.

 

[Mikeco]

If the Formica is still available and the colour suits it's good for bathroom and worktops,the wallboard looks identical to lightweight ply and is less than half the price,the other stuff they sell is as everywhere silly dear but they are as cheap as anyone .I've just took a one season old 3 way fridge out and replaced it with a 240v fridge/freezer we find a separate freezer is essential also took out the Thetford oven ..having a microwave we didn't use it much and now have an air fryer oven type.
I swopped the 220amp lead acids for 640amp of self built lithium's (we never use hook up)We have a full height garage to carry all the gubbins and 2 folding ebikes (self built around aluminium frames.

Good idea if it's open the stadium site is great on the sea front near Chinese buffet ,carvery pub,easy walk to town ..we only live 20ish miles away but went twice this year for a few days

15 miles for us.

 

[Mikeco]

Formica not listed on the website, but there are a few possible options for the wallboard. Would need to see / feel them in person to choose.

Not sure about going off camping in an uninsulated van at this time of year, and then reminded myself that I did exactly that this time last year with a ten day impromptu jaunt to France. Jerry rigged the batteries and solar panels to power the heater and ended up not needing it as it was so mild! I did put it on once, but that was just because I'd spent so much time and energy building a roof rack, getting the solar panels up and cobbling together an electrical board and I didn't want it all to have been for nothing!

Mind you a six hour round trip isn't really an issue either. I'm an early bird so could leave at 06:00, be there for opening at 09:00 spend a couple of hours releasing the moths from my wallet, have a spot of lunch and be home just before the rush hour.

Tempting.

If you are spending a bit of money then ask for discount, I get 5% of anything that’s not in any sale. Saved quite a bit on a Kampa awning and Truma boiler recently.

 

[Mikeco]

Formica not listed on the website, but there are a few possible options for the wallboard. Would need to see / feel them in person to choose.

Not sure about going off camping in an uninsulated van at this time of year, and then reminded myself that I did exactly that this time last year with a ten day impromptu jaunt to France. Jerry rigged the batteries and solar panels to power the heater and ended up not needing it as it was so mild! I did put it on once, but that was just because I'd spent so much time and energy building a roof rack, getting the solar panels up and cobbling together an electrical board and I didn't want it all to have been for nothing!

Mind you a six hour round trip isn't really an issue either. I'm an early bird so could leave at 06:00, be there for opening at 09:00 spend a couple of hours releasing the moths from my wallet, have a spot of lunch and be home just before the rush hour.

Tempting.

Be aware that they close at noon on December 18 and reopen on January 2.