Insulation

There are many types of materials that you can use to keep you cooler in summer and warmer in colder climates. I of course have my own opinions but will leave those to a blog posting. The insulation section consists of the following types of insulation, allowing you to make an educated choice that right for your build. 

• Reflectix
• Foam
• The Pink Stuff
• Rock Wool
• Demin
• Lamb's Wool

From what I can tell, Reflectix is the most widely used material in van builds. Event the custom van shop near where I created my build boasted about using it.  Reflectix:

• Contains no harmful chemicals, is non-toxic / non-carcinogenic and does not require protective clothing or respirators to install
• Has a decent fire rating  

Well, not to put a monkey wrench in the works, but I've seen videos about gluing this material directly to the metal walls of your van, and well metal on metal just makes things hotter guys and gals. Before you decide to install Refectix in your build, I suggest you WATCH THIS VIDEO to understand the requirements on how to use this material works in creating a Radiant Barrier.   When used correctly, reflectix:

• Reflects 96% of radiant energy
• Contains no harmful chemicals, is non-toxic / non-carcinogenic and does not require protective clothing or respirators to install
• Has a decent fire rating  

Reflectix insulation's R-value alone is 1.0 to 1.5 and is completely dependent on where and how the product is installed. Reflectix's stated R-14 R values for exterior walls are good only if the Reflectix is paired with an R-13  batt insulation. 

Whether is spray form or rigid sheets foam is a popular choice when insulating van builds. 

There are several reasons why choosing spray foam insulation over other products is advantageous when you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your home. It helps to reduce your energy consumption, protects against moisture that can lead to premature wear and tear on the structure, and it uses fewer materials to create the product in the first place. You must hire an expert who is familiar with this product to maximize the potential of these advantages, but it is an effort that is worth considering because of what this insulation option provides.

Foam is NOT:

• All natural, renewable and sustainable.
• Contains harmful ingredients and chemicals. Long-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and chemical bronchitis.
• Spray foam insulation can sometimes shrink.

The most readily available option, the pink stuff's (fiberglass) reputation for health and  performance is not the best in town. 

• Fiberglass is the traditional insulation, with an R-factor of 2.2 to 2.7 per inch. 
• Fiberglass insulation is the least expensive option of all that was researched, making it used by those to save money.
• It does not shrink.
• The plastic covering on fiberglass batts acts as an effective vapor barrier.
• Fiberglass insulation does not easily burn.

Fiberglass is NOT:

• All natural, renewable and sustainable.
• Contains harmful ingredients and chemicals
• The reason why most batts are sealed in plastic is to avoid issues with breathing in the fibers and the fact that it is not moisture absorbing. 
• There's some data suggesting that fiberglass in the lungs may cause cell mutation and cancer.

Rock wool is a fiber insulation made from natural stone.  It is:

• Naturally moisture-resistant, maintaining insulating qualities when wet.
• Absorbs sound as an acoustic buffer.
• Will not support a flame below 1800F.

Rock Wool is NOT:

• All natural, renewable and sustainable
• Like fiberglass, you have to wear protective when installing to avoid skin contact. Additionally, inhaled slivers can cause lung disease and cancer.  

Recycled denim insulation is made from shredding demin clothing shredded into tiny pieces. It is a natural cotton fiber high-performance insulation.  Demin is:

• All natural, renewable and sustainable.
• Contains no harmful chemicals
• Absorbs sound as an acoustic buffer 30 percent higher than those for traditional insulation,
• Comes in R-Factor values of R13 and above.

Demin is not a moisture absorbing material so a vapor barrier is typically used with this insulation.

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I first heard about using lamb's wool as insulation from an eco-vandweller. At first I thought, wow, would my van spell like a barn yard?  After I stopped laughing, knowing that was a preposterous notion, I did the research.  Lamb's wool is:

• All natural, renewable and sustainable.
• Contains no harmful chemicals
• Filters air and improves indoor air quality 
• Moisture and climate control, absorbing moisture at 65% relative humidity.
• Suppresses mold and mildew through it's natural keratin
• Absorbs sound as an acoustic buffer.
• R-Factor at 3.6 to 4.3 per inch, so 3.5 inch batting is rated at about 13R.
• Will not support a flame below 1100F

As you can probably tell by my fervor, I went with lamb's wool for my build. I just figured since I was spending so much time in the van, I wanted to breathe easy. Additionally using this product with it's moisture absorbing properties, I was not concerned with condensation in the van. I performed the build in soaking wet Tennessee and I've been living in it full time. I have not had any issues with moisture that others are having. 

There are not a ton of suppliers for this type of resource. I know of two, Havelock and Black Mountain. I went with Havelock because they went out of their way to help me. Also, the amount of wool in their batts. I needed just 2 bags to insulate the b-jeez out of the entire van.