Insulation query

[swizz]

Hi,

i've been nosying at these free plans - thanks for doing all the legwork & putting them on here for free btw

Question is, I can understand that a pretty good weight saving will be made by building insulated sides instead of the solid 3/4 ply ones in the plan - but from an insulation point of view does it make a huge difference comfort wise?

Here in the UK we have quite a large difference in temperature through the year - I just wondered whether taking the easy route to building would result in condensation pouring down the walls in colder weather or unbearably hot temps in summer

Cheers,
Swizz...

 

[madjack]

Swizz...we're in personal preference territory here...we build with solid 3/4" side and have noticed no problems...of course we also use AC and a FantasticFan vent to control condensation and temps while sleeping...others go different ways and as always YMMV.......
madjack


p.s. oh yeah...DO insulate the roof............MJ

 

[Steve_Cox]

Swizz,

MadJack is so right when he says it's a matter of preference. I did the insulation all around route and of course think it is the best way. One other thing insulation does is cut down on noise ---- getting in the Teardrop and getting out.....

 

[mikeschn]

I am building yet another teardrop, and I plan on doing the extra work and putting the insulation in. It's probably not necessary, but since I'll have the voids in the wall anyways, I will fill it with Extruded Polystyrene.

YMMV.

Mike...

 

[bledsoe3]

Is the final weight of your trailer an issue? If so, building with insulated panels will save you some weight.

Just something that may help you make your decision.

 

[pieface]

Hi
There is a guy in Bury who is selling tears on e bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/american-teardrop ... dZViewItem
if you look at his photos he appears to have used 3/4 ply and cut it out to lighten it and then insulated the voids. I'm not sure if I would want to go that route myself but every one to their own.
I think that camping in our weather conditions would need insulation and good ventilation. Having said that I have been thinking about 3/4 ply and covering the interior with that thin cord carpet type material that they use on the inside of our buses.

pieface

 

[WarPony-TNT]

Here in the UK we have quite a large difference in temperature through the year.........

I've wondered what temps you guys get over there .........


I'd insulate, you'll be happier in the long run.

Jeff

 

[ARKPAT]

I'm with the above group on insulation.

I used insulation panels also.



Pat

 

[ArtMini]

I saw the pics of the guy who cut out the 3/4 plywood and filled it in with insulation, I thought it was pretty creative. Some one said they didn't like it. So tell me, from Outside to Inside, exactly what should a wall consist of, Outside skin? ribs or solid wood? insulation and inside skin? I'm getting ready to build my first tear drop in the next week or two. Now I'm confused? Is the insulation simply glued to the outer wall, then glue the inside wall to the insulation?

Art

 

[Russ in California]

Seems like the insulation would help also in the heat. Especially if you wanted to take a nap.

 

[caseydog]

I looked at this same thing, and found that the R-Value of Plywood sheets is not much worse than the R-Value of foam panels, in equal thickness. You could add a radiant barrier to your plywood and get a nice bump in R-Value, too. Put some Thinsulate material inside the walls, and you get a nice R-Value.

I'm going with 3/4 plywood on my next build. I'll probably use a radiant barrier and insulation in my roof, but just plywood on the walls. Here in North Texas, it is not unusual for summer temperatures to be around 40 C. And in January, we will often see freezing temperatures at night. I doubt you see that much variance in the UK.

Do some web searches for information on R-Values, and I think you will be surprised at how much information is available.

CD

 

[Sam I am]

Swizz, I live in central Pennsylvania, and I built my tear without insulation. The walls are plywood, and the roof is 1/4" birch ply with no inner ceiling, hence no insulation. I have camped here between May and October, and have had no condensation to speak of, and have always been comfortable. The tear will get quite warm in direct summer sunlight, but cools quickly with the windows open and two 12 volt computer fans making cross ventilation. I'm not saying this it the way to go, but it has worked well for me, and it saved me a lot of construction work. I guess your decision depends on how you use your teardrop. If you plan to camp in winter, then you should probably insulate it.
Sam

 

[bobhenry-TNT]

My build required 3 sheets of 1/2 osb per side, They were butt joined and cleated internally by screwing them to a 1x4. This created a 3/4 inch void in the wall for 3/4 blue foam insulation. I then skinned the inside with 1/4 luan over the 1x4 's and the foam. I used the same luan outside glued to the osb. My floor had 1 1/2 inch wheel well humps that had to go! So I put down 2 layers of 3/4 foam board and a 7/16 layer of osb over the foam. Galley wall has 3/4 foam under the luan also. My only short fall was my lexan roof. In summer sun you have a greenhouse and in extreme cold it will frost over to the point it will snow inside. We have camped at -1 and a -15 windchill and 95+ direct summer sun and neither were pleasant but tolerable. I have learned to cover the see thur roof with a reflective blanket in high heat and a heavy quilt in extreme cold and both methods help a great deal. I am sure this same technique would help any solid top tear as well.
Might not look real pretty but if it creates a good nights sleep who really cares. Yes I feel insulation is important if you intend to use your tiny trailer in extreme weather. If you are a 55 to79 degree weather camper then OH WELL !

 

[len19070]

I hit somewhere in the middle by using a "Foam Backed" rug to cover the inside 3/4" plywood sides.

My roof and front wall, as well as the footboard are insulated and have had no condensation problems.

Happy Trails

Len

 

[Arne-TNT]

R value of 3/4 ply is .91 +/-....

the lowest I could find for 3/4 foam was R = 2.6

 

[DasBaldGuy]

R value of 3/4 ply is .91 +/-....

the lowest I could find for 3/4 foam was R = 2.6

We are talking about the 3/4 inch "blue" styrofoam 4x8 sheets available at bigbox home improvement store, correct?

 

[Arne-TNT]

I used pink, as that is what h/d had available.. I think the white with foil is higher..

R-Values Per Inch For Common Insulating Materials*

Insulating Material Avg. R-Value Per Inch
Batts or Blankets

* Mineral fiber (rock, slag or glass)

3.25

Loose Fill

* Mineral fiber (rock, slag or glass)

2.2

* Cellulose (milled paper and wood pulp)

3.4

* Vermiculite, exfoliated

2.13

* Perlite, expanded

2.7
Rigid Board and Slabs

* Expanded polystyrene, extruded (cut-cell surface) and molded bead-type

4.0

* Expanded polystyrene, extruded (smooth-cell surface)

5.0

* Expanded polyurethane, refrigerant 31 exp.

6.25

* Polyisocyanurate

7.04
Building Board Sheathing, regular density 2.64

 

[eight433]

I used 3/4 plywood, AND 3/4 pink insulation on the walls. 2x2 rafters for the ceiling, with 1 1/2 white Styrofoam insulation in the roof, AND a fantastic fan with two windows. I had it outside the other night with a 10 dollar coil/fan heater and it would keep it HOT inside of that little camper. It was 18 degrees and windy that night. It got even better after I put weatherstrip around the doors.

IMO, you can never over insulate. I might even insulate my cabinets, as that is the only place I feel cold air yet.

 

[stmaryscowboy]

Has anybody used the original 2X2 wall construction and used the spray in polyurethane in the walls, ceiling and in the floor? If so does it help with structural rigidity? I my way of thinking it would help in maintaining the temperature, humidity, noise and help make the frame more rigid. I would appreciate any input.

 

[felixx]

Hi
There is a guy in Bury who is selling tears on e bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/american-teardrop ... dZViewItem
if you look at his photos he appears to have used 3/4 ply and cut it out to lighten it and then insulated the voids. I'm not sure if I would want to go that route myself but every one to their own.
I think that camping in our weather conditions would need insulation and good ventilation. Having said that I have been thinking about 3/4 ply and covering the interior with that thin cord carpet type material that they use on the inside of our buses.

pieface

I did that.. cut voids and insulated em..
works well