Insulating a van isn’t just about thermal insulation—it also cuts down noise and helps control condensation. It’s a small investment in both time and money for all the comfort it adds! We did our homework and dived into the theory in our Van Insulation Guide; we then applied the theory during four years of full-time van life in FarOutVan#1 chasing the sun (Mexico) and the snow (Winter Vanlife). We are now building FarOutVan#2 and we are using Thinsulate again because of all the tried-and-true benefits:
- Excellent thermal insulation.
- Excellent accoustic insulation.
- VERY easy to install.
- Light weight.
- Doesn’t absorb moisture.
- Doesn’t off-gas.
- Doesn’t attract bugs.
- Can be removed for body repair.
This is a work in progress, but we thought we’d share anyway and update as we progress 🙂
You can refer to “Insulating FarOutVan#1 with Thinsulate” to fill the voids!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click a product link and buy anything from the merchant (Amazon, eBay, etc.) we will receive a commission fee. The price you pay remains the same, affiliate link or not.
Time
8 hours
Cost
$750 USD
Weight
50 lbs
Material
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | QTY | BUY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M Thinsulate SM600L | 1.75″ thick, 60″ wide roll insulation. | 70ft | The Swivel Shop Use code “FarOutRide” for 5% off at checkout! |
| Thinsulate Kit | Alternatively, you can buy Thinsulate pre-cut for your van. We haven’t tried it; it’s an option we know of! | 1 | Campervan-HQ |
| 3M 90 Spray Adhesive | To bond the Thinsulate to the van. | 4 | The Swivel Shop |
| Rotary Cutter | We used scissors in the past, but this works so much better! | 1 | Amazon |
| Plastic Drop Cloth | To protect the seats, floor, or any surface from the spray adhesive. | 1 | Amazon |
| Automotive Sound Deadener (Kilmat, Dynamat, Siless) | For the wheel wells, before Thinsulate. | 1 | Amazon |
General Procedure
Installing Thinsulate insulation in your van couldn’t be more straightforward!
Here is the general procedure:
1. Measure the area to insulate and cut the Thinsulate:
2. Spray the 3M 90 adhesive onto the van’s surface:
3. Spray the 3M 90 adhesive onto the Thinsulate’s white side:
4. Wait 30-60 seconds for the adhesive to become tacky and press the Thinsulate against the van’s surface. That’s it!
Ceiling and Walls
Install the Thinsulate insulation over the large surfaces, leaving the frames exposed:
WORK IN PROGRESS!
We still have to add Thinsulate to the bays and inside the frames.
Wheel Wells
Before adding Thinsulate to the wheel wells, it’s not a bad idea to add sound deadener (Kilmat, Dynamat, Siless):
Not exactly the correct roller for the job, but for such a small surface, it worked!
WORK IN PROGRESS!
We need to add a bead of sealant around the contour of the vinyl floor, then we will insulated the wheel wells with Thinsulate.
Overhead Cabin Storage
WORK IN PROGRESS!
Will do soon…
Sliding Door
WORK IN PROGRESS!
Driver and Passenger Doors
With all the windows, floor, etc. that are not insulated in the cabin, we’re not sure if insulating the driver/passenger doors really makes a difference… but we did it on FarOutVan#1 because we had to go in there to upgrade the speakers:
Rear Doors
WORK IN PROGRESS!
Windows
The windows are the weakest link… leaving them uncovered pretty much cancels out all the effort you just put out to insulate your van 😉 In winter, adding insulated window covers slows down heat loss, and make the living space much more comfortable. In summer, the covers prevents a green house effect. They also add privacy, which is a must at some point… Well designed window covers generally features magnets for a super-easy installation and removal. We initially made our own DIY covers out of Thinsulate and fabric for FarOutVan#1, but they are very, VERY, time consuming to make and we can’t possibly make them as well as pro-made covers… So this time we splurged on Van Made Gear Window Covers:
VanMadeGear’s covers can be ordered with a marine-grade reflective material on one side, to help reflecting the sun in summer (keep cool):
We expose the black side when we need privacy and we want to keep the van warm a bit (absorb heat). At night, the black side offers much more privacy (the covers are not apparent):
Also shown: Lagun Table B-Pillar Mount and Bamboo Table
Insulated Window Covers
Our favorite insulated window covers for Sprinter, ProMaster, and Transit vans.
These window covers attach magnetically (except for the windshield) and are insulated with Low-E. Handmade in Oregon, USA.
At checkout, use “Faroutride5percent” coupon code to get 5% discount!
On Second Thought…
No surprises here, as we are doing exactly the same as FarOutVan#1! So we know exactly what we’re getting into and what the results will be 😉
Awesome! Do you guys have the measurements of what you cut?
We don’t; there are so many pieces! You can buy Thinsulate pre-cut if you want to save the hassle!
https://www.campervan-hq.com/collections/thinsulate-kits?ref=FOR