Camper Van Insulation Guides

We have chased deep powder for 3 years in our camper vans. It is fair to say that we have nailed down the proper insulation strategy quite well! What most beginner DIY van builders don’t realize is that not only is insulation important for keeping your camper van warm in the winters, but also for keeping it cool in the summers.

The below guides will teach you everything you need for proper camper van insulation.

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Insulation Deep Dive

Thinsulate vs. Havelock Wool

Heater Options

Winter Van Life

Heated Floor Options

Do you have a specific question, or want to bounce around ideas for your DIY camper van conversion? Book a 1:1 Virtual Consultation. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is insulating a camper van necessary?

Yes! Insulating a camper van is necessary even if you don’t plan to chase winters. As a van lifer, you will be exposed to all types of weather no matter how hard you try to stay away from any extreme. Additionally, your camper van is a metal box that is an extremely good thermal bridge for cold, and warm temperatures. The most important factors to insulating your camper van are:

Mass insulator to hold the right temperature inside your camper van.
Thermal break: Breaking the thermal bridging that natively occurs in a metal box is important. This can be done with Lizard Skin Ceramic Insulation, or a LowE foam.
Proper ventilation and circulation of air: You must have at least one way for fresh air to come in and one way for it to escape. Two fans work. Or, a fan, and a window.

Read more in depth in our Complete Guide to Camper Van Insulation.

What is the best insulation for camper vans?

The best camper van insulation is easy to install, affordable, and effective. We highly recommend:

Havelock Wool as a mass insulator in cavities and channels as it is easy to stuff.
3M Thinsulate on your ceiling and walls and it is easy to adhesive up.
Lizard Skin Ceramic Insulation as a thermal break.

Can you use spray foam as insulation in a camper van?

This is generally not recommended as it can cause warping of the sheet metal if not done correctly. Additionally, if you ever need body work, it is near impossible to do if you insulated with spray foam. If you choose to use spray foam, we highly recommend to get it installed professionally so it expands correctly. Or, to use Great Stuff Spray Foam only in small, hard to insulate areas.

Are there eco-friendly options for camper van insulation?

Yes! By far the most eco-friendly camper van insulation material is Sheeps Wool (Havelock Wool). It is all natural, and instead of being full of chemicals, it works to extract them from the air. The process to create wool insulation batts is also low impact, renewable, and sustainable.

3M Thinsulate and Lizard Skin are also both non-toxic.