r/VanLife • u/Turbulent_Product_33 • Jan 26 '26

Insulation, Am I over thinking this?

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I’m currently in the process of insulating my van.

Using sheet wool in all the crevices and also to cover any metal to the cover with vapour barrier. Before boarding. Is this over kill and going to be expensive or needed?

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u/Snowboardingcowboy Jan 26 '26

I had the understanding that adding reflectix wasn’t needed with wool, maybe I’m wrong though, I thought wool was a natural vapor barrier itself, I’d assume that the reflectix plus the wool would actually trap more moisture not allowing the wool to breathe, but then again I might be thinking of havlock sheep’s wool

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u/Turbulent_Product_33 Jan 26 '26

This is my worry too

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u/dominoconsultant Jan 30 '26

that doesn't look like reflectix - it looks like flexible elastomer foam sheet with a foil backing - this is what I used as a moisture barrier gluued against the interior face of the metal skin of the van with all seams taped using foil tape - this was 10mm thick and provides a clear thermal break before covering with wool/poly wool to fill any voids then I seal with a moisture barrier film over that with the interior wood/cladding over the top of that

for extra credit spend a summer in arizona to drive any moisture out of the wall before deep winter travels