Kingspan Kooltherm K103 - single sheets

[fishplug]

Some great feedback. Thank you.

I already have the wide aluminium foil tape to seal joints and really like the idea of putting a batten round the entrance steps (and possibly also on the bulkhead end as I have a walkthrough from the cab.

My plan was to use the existing floor as a template but to place the cuts in the PIR in different places to where the ply joints would be, and also to router out half the thickness of the ply over an inch or so in order to make a sort of lap joint which would allow me to glue the ply joints together better to reduce / eliminate movement.

I had really never considered standard PIR board as an option as I just assumed it wouldn't be up to it, so it's very helpful to hear first hand experience from people who have used this before.

I used battens in the last van and they worked really well, but I'm really trying to keep weight down this time and it's surprising how much you end up adding with battens and ply lining walls etc.

 

[Dutch 68]

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?

Any Travis Perkins can order it in, because most of them have different brands , however CCF is part of the TP group and they stock all sorts, so if you run into your local TP they will order it in from CCF

 

[Gromett]

Tape all joints with aluminium self adhesive foil tape, and no the celotex won't compress under 6mm ply.

I admire your confidence. I have an old caravan that has a very bouncy 6mm floor due to the compression of the insulation over 25 years.
This is most noticeable around the kitchen area which sees the most traffic in the centre of it.

My last van conversion had 18mm ply floors AND battens. I wouldn't go that extreme on future builds, but no way would I trust 6mm for a fulltimers van that you intend to keep for any length of time.
I suppose if it is not a fulltimer van, the van may die before 6mm ply became an issue?

I just went and dug out the photos of my 1st build. As you can see I placed a batton across the van which is where I walk in. Then I added another one the length of the van to cover the kitchen to shower area.

I also had a channel through the centre for pipes. This is something I wouldn't do on future builds as this leaves the pipes in an uninsulated situation. However in the well over 10 years included a really bad -20°C winter I didn't have issues with it.

I would suggest if using 6mm ply to have a batten running under the most trafficked area?

These are just my thoughts.

 

[Dutch 68]

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

You could use aluminium profiles as batten, very light and very strong

 

[oldiesontour]

I admire your confidence. I have an old caravan that has a very bouncy 6mm floor due to the compression of the insulation over 25 years.
This is most noticeable around the kitchen area which sees the most traffic in the centre of it.

My last van conversion had 18mm ply floors AND battens. I wouldn't go that extreme on future builds, but no way would I trust 6mm for a fulltimers van that you intend to keep for any length of time.
I suppose if it is not a fulltimer van, the van may die before 6mm ply became an issue?

I just went and dug out the photos of my 1st build. As you can see I placed a batton across the van which is where I walk in. Then I added another one the length of the van to cover the kitchen to shower area.

View attachment 1002980
I also had a channel through the centre for pipes. This is something I wouldn't do on future builds as this leaves the pipes in an uninsulated situation. However in the well over 10 years included a really bad -20°C winter I didn't have issues with it.
View attachment 1002981

I was suggest if using 6mm ply to have a batten running under the most trafficked area?

These are just my thoughts.

The problem with caravan floors was that often expanded polystyrene was bonded between two thin often even 3mm ply and then used as a structural floor with minimum support from below... just about ok when new but over a period damp or water Ingress weakened one or both skins

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[oldiesontour]

You could use aluminium profiles as batten, very light and very strong

But not easy to install whilst avoiding galvanic corrosion

 

[fishplug]

It's not a full-timer.

I have a TP about half a mile away so I'll ask. Thanks Dutch 68 - I wouldn't have thought to do that.

 

[Dutch 68]

But not easy to install whilst avoiding galvanic corrosion

Use a roll of high strength DPC will take care of that so there is no direct contact

 

[Dutch 68]

It's not a full-timer.

I have a TP about half a mile away so I'll ask. Thanks Dutch 68 - I wouldn't have thought to do that.

You’re welcome, mention CCF if they are unsure