Kingspan Kooltherm K103 - single sheets

[fishplug]

I've decided to use 25mm Kingspan Kooltherm K103 as my floor insulation but it seems online sellers only sell in packs of 10, or have minimum orders of £150 or...

The only place I've found that lists it available as single sheets is Builder Depot, but my nearest one is a 160 mile round trip plus tolls...

Does anyone know anywhere else that sells this in single sheets?

 

[ericroy]

What about Wickes? See https://www.wickes.co.uk/Kingspan-TP10-Roof-Insulation-Board---2400-x-1200-x-25mm/p/180435

Not exactly what you wanted, but possibly an acceptable substitute?

 

[fishplug]

Thanks ericroy, but that looks like standard PIR board.

My reason for choosing the Kingspan Kooltherm K103 is that it has high compressive strength so you can use it without adding wooden battens.

I've tried searching for alternatives but I'm probably not using the right search terms and that's the only one I've found so far that sounds like it will do what I want.

I've found the compressed polystyrene type things, but don't fancy them.

 

[Raul]

Extruded polystyrene XPS is pretty good as well, rigid and high mechanical load.
Just don't get the expanded one.

 

[fishplug]

Interesting Raul - thanks.

B&Q do a 30mm XPS for only £10 (doesn't actually give the dimensions, but I'm assuming it's a standard 2440 x 1220) but thermal rating is 0.034 W/mK

Kingspan Kooltherm, although more expensive, gives better insulation for less thickness at 0.019 W/mK

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[Raul]

Indeed, kooltherm k103 is hard to beat, but also hard to find as not many will have it in stock.
The XPS is 1200x600 and used mainly on exterior wall insulation.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Just put 6mm ply on top.

 

[Gromett]

Just put 6mm ply on top.

I use 12mm minimum for floors. 6mm without battens would compress the insulation?

 

[PeterCarole29]

I've decided to use 25mm Kingspan Kooltherm K103 as my floor insulation but it seems online sellers only sell in packs of 10, or have minimum orders of £150 or...

The only place I've found that lists it available as single sheets is Builder Depot, but my nearest one is a 160 mile round trip plus tolls...

Does anyone know anywhere else that sells this in single sheets?

Hi we used cooltherm in the cavity wall insulation of our house
I would not use it in a floor if it needs to take any weight it is not like celatex
If you compress cooltherm it will go to powder
It gives better thermal values but in a van floor with vibration etc I think you will regret it
If you can find a piece to pull and poke you will see what I mean

 

[PeterCarole29]

I use 12mm minimum for floors. 6mm without battens would compress the insulation?

I assume you are talking about celatex or kingspan equivalent

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[PeterCarole29]

Thanks ericroy, but that looks like standard PIR board.

My reason for choosing the Kingspan Kooltherm K103 is that it has high compressive strength so you can use it without adding wooden battens.

I've tried searching for alternatives but I'm probably not using the right search terms and that's the only one I've found so far that sounds like it will do what I want.

I've found the compressed polystyrene type things, but don't fancy them.

I see you mention it has a high compression rate
In static situations it would be ideal just give it thought about vibration
The layers of cooltherm are designed to breath so also consider that
If it gets damp it won’t breath
My observation is only from experience of cutting and fitting about 100sq metres and was surprised how easily damaged it gets
I noted when cutting its soft and brittle
And from memory when wet was heavier and I had trouble drying a couple of slabs so didn’t use then

 

[Gromett]

I assume you are talking about celatex or kingspan equivalent

I am talking about any type of PIR insulation board. I cannot see how any could not be compressed in a situation where 6mm ply covers an area of 2440 x 1220.
My opinion is in this situation you will end up with the floor becoming bouncy like in many caravans of a certain age.
It either needs battens or needs to able to support it's own weight to a much greater degree than what 6mm on it's own would provide.

 

[Gromett]

I see you mention it has a high compression rate
In static situations it would be ideal just give it thought about vibration
The layers of cooltherm are designed to breath so also consider that
If it gets damp it won’t breath
My observation is only from experience of cutting and fitting about 100sq metres and was surprised how easily damaged it gets
I noted when cutting its soft and brittle
And from memory when wet was heavier and I had trouble drying a couple of slabs so didn’t use then

I just read the spec page and it only mentions being suitable for use under solid concrete floors. In this case the concrete would provide the structural rigidity and spread the load across a much greater area than 6mm ply would.

 

[oldiesontour]

I have 38 mm pir under 6mm ply no noticeable movement (boxer L3/H2) after all their is only a small area exposed and no significant point loading by normal use/users

 

[Raul]

Have a look at B&Q for the xps, its pretty tuff board and is't close cell as well. Floats on water.

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[Lumpy]

Not wanting to influence you in any way, so just for information not a recommendation. I used standard 25mm Celotex in walls and floor with no battens except for doorways and it's still going strong since 2015 when I converted my Citroen Relay. Good luck with the conversion.

 

[fishplug]

That's interesting Lumpy - can I ask what you put on top of it as the flooring?

I'm very conscious of weight in this build as well as not losing too much height so was hoping to get away with something like 6 - 9mm ply with some Altro (or similar) on top

 

[oldiesontour]

I should have said no battens except as lumpy.
Also last house all ground floor 25 mm expanded polystyrene and floating t&g chipboard ...no problems in 17 yrs,last van iveco daily 38 expanded polystyrene 9 mm ply no battens....no problems... can't help but think you're worrying to much

 

[PeterCarole29]

I am talking about any type of PIR insulation board. I cannot see how any could not be compressed in a situation where 6mm ply covers an area of 2440 x 1220.
My opinion is in this situation you will end up with the floor becoming bouncy like in many caravans of a certain age.
It either needs battens or needs to able to support it's own weight to a much greater degree than what 6mm on it's own would provide.

I absolutely agree with you

 

[Lumpy]

I filled the floor ruts with strips of click flooring insulation +25mm Celotex taped at joints, on top of that I placed the 6mm plywood floor that was in the van when I bought it (it was in very good condition) on top of that I fully glued 4mm plywood in reverse so as to cover the joints of the 6mm (it may be called cross jointing!!).
I used battens at the sliding door and rear doors to stop compression at those points.
To top it off I fully covered with a robust flooring vinyl, I did not glue the vinyl but with I had because in the heat of Spain it did bubble in a couple of places, I do mean to cut around the furniture and relay it but never get around to it.

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[Raul]

I am talking about any type of PIR insulation board. I cannot see how any could not be compressed in a situation where 6mm ply covers an area of 2440 x 1220.
My opinion is in this situation you will end up with the floor becoming bouncy like in many caravans of a certain age.
It either needs battens or needs to able to support it's own weight to a much greater degree than what 6mm on it's own would provide.

This method is used widely on flat roofs warm deck. The kingspan PIR comes with a 6mm ply stuck on it, and its pretty rigid. Now, on the floor with the 12mm ply, would be even more solid.

 

[chatteris]

I've decided to use 25mm Kingspan Kooltherm K103 as my floor insulation but it seems online sellers only sell in packs of 10, or have minimum orders of £150 or...

The only place I've found that lists it available as single sheets is Builder Depot, but my nearest one is a 160 mile round trip plus tolls...

Does anyone know anywhere else that sells this in single sheets?

not sure if its still there but was a place selling what looked like kingspan in st peters road huntingdon cant remember name or details but sure someone bought some seconds or damaged part sheets, it was near the old lola building on the left as you went down from the macdonalds/cinema roundabout

 

[PeterCarole29]

I absolutely agree with you

Personally when fitting out any van l always use polymer adhesive for battens and celatex and also on the bottom face of the ply
Overal I thing my current PVC I used 40 tubes and 15 cans of foam as well as 50mm celatex sheets in cieling walls and 25mm. For floor