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Foam Rubber Ceiling?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:37 am
by SteveH
Years ago I remember seeing a ceiling material that was basically a type of foam rubber. It had a textured sort of surface, that had a semi-glossy white painted surface, and was designed to be glued to the ceiling. I believe I saw it used in mobile homes. Seems to me it would make a light, good insulating material for the ceiling of a TTT and would eliminate the need for a wood ceiling layer, and thereby reduce weight and cost.

Anyone remember the stuff and possibly if and where it is available?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:01 pm
by madjack
Steve, are you talking about foam rubber or some type of styrofoam...I have seen ceiling tiles made of various types of styrofoam but no foam rubber......
madjack 8)

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:15 pm
by PaulC
MJ, Maybe he means Latex :shock:

Cheers
Paul :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:25 pm
by Gaston
I wouldn't use any "foam" product on the ceiling . you'd be asking for a wet tear as foam loves water. also you still need the wood to glue it to. I used a product called "hull liner" made for lining, finishing the raw fiberglass inside boats and in motorhomes as a headliner material. looks great and gives the inside a softer look than wood. if you had a roof leak foam would soak it up till it let go like a sponge, the hull liner will let the water run thru and not hold it against the wood.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:04 pm
by SteveH
Don't really know what it was, but it was not styrofoam...it was soft to the touch like foam rubber, but harder. It would bend easily, unlike styrofoam, but not as easily as say, 1/2" foam rubber. It may have been the Hull Liner that Gaston is using.

Gaston, do you have a link so I could take a look?

What I was thinking was use it between exposed ribs/rafters glued up to the thin sheeting/covering, with nothing else, but maybe aluminum.

Edit: I googled "hull liner" and found it...definately not what I remember. Hull liner looks more like marine carpet.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:06 pm
by steve wolverton
I didn't know what Hull Liner was either, so I Googled it. It appears to be a type of carpet?

$20 per yard seems to be the going rate.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:38 pm
by Ma3tt
sounds like a fetish to me! :lol:

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:14 pm
by goldcoop
Steve-

Ensolite.

Like the backpackers sleeping pads.

It is a "closed cell" foam that does not absorb moisture and makes for a excellent moisture/vapor/sound barrier/insulation!

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... solite.php

Cheers,

Coop

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:12 pm
by Gaston

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:29 pm
by SteveH
Coop,

Thanks, that sounds like it. Now if I could find a site with a picture of it, I'd know for sure. Googled it and all I find is manufacturers and distributors but none have pictures. I think this stuff is also used on the interior walls/ceilings of the Scamp fiberglass trailers?

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:49 pm
by PaulC
I'm with you Ma3tt :lol: That's what I was inferring with the latex comment 8)

Cheers
Paul :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:08 am
by goldcoop
SteveH wrote:I think this stuff is also used on the interior walls/ceilings of the Scamp fiberglass trailers?


Yes it is!

Also check ebay, ensolite is used as floating pool lounges!

Cheers,

Coop

PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:29 am
by JunkMan
I bought some automotive headliner material at a upholstry shop that was going out of business several years ago. It was about 1/4" thick with a foam backing, and a cloth facing, and was applied with glue. I got it for the headliner on a school bus / camper conversion I was building. They had several styles and colors availible.

Sorry I don't have a source, but you might try local upholstry shops, they may be able to help you out. I've thought about using it on a tear, but never thought about the moisture problem.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:50 am
by SkipperSue
This sounds like Armaflex sheeting, used for insulating hot water tanks, chillers and stuff. It's just like the Armaflex pipe insulation only it comes in sheets about 4x5', about 1 inch thick. The only color I've seen is black but you can paint it.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:09 pm
by jaybee
Try this site - it looks inexpensive enough to buy one just for testing. If it ends up being not quite right, you still have an extra camping mattress for not all that much.

http://www.scoutgear.com/sp503b.html