By creating a well insulated “floating” floor, your van will stay warmer for much longer which will massively improve your Vanlife adventure. The roof batten structure we use, provides a strong foundation for you to drill into. This prevents screws being drilled into the vehicle floor, which could cause rust. This how-to guide will take you through our 6 step method so you can do it too.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
•Drill / impact driver •Scrubbing Brush •Paint Brush & Tray •Jigsaw •Circular Saw (recommended but not essential) •Stanley Knife •1m Steel Rule •Straight Edge / Fence •G-Clamps
MATERIALS REQUIRED
•5 x 4.2m Roof Battens (25mm x 50mm)
•2 x 25mm thick Insulation boards (Celotex, Kingspan…)
•3 x sheets of 12mm plywood
•1 x roll of foil tape
•30mm Self-Tapping Screws
•Sikaflex 221 adhesive
•2.5 Ltr white Hammerite paint
•Aluminium or PVC Angle
•Vinyl Flooring
1. REMOVE OLD FLOOR
Use a drill to remove the screw securing the old floor. Fill any holes with Sikaflex 221 before scrubbing and repainting the floor with Hammerite Paint.
2. SEAL AND FRAME OUT
Measure and cut roof battens , framing the floor at equal spaces. Glue the battens to the floor with Sikaflex 221.
3. MEASURE TO THE MM
Use a Stanley knife to shape 25mm insulation boards, wedging it in place between the horizontal battens.
4. IT’S VAPOUR BARRIER TIME
Foil tape the seams to create a vapour barrier. Join the tape up the walls a few inches and ensure all gaps are sealed!
5. SHAPE AND FIT PLY FLOOR
Use the old floor as a template to shape the 12mm Ply using a jigsaw to cut. Screw 30mm Self-Tapping screws through the plywood and into the roof batten frame below.
6. CUT AND FIT VINYL FLOOR
Use a Jigsaw / Stanley knife to shape the vinyl topper around the wheel arches. Aluminium or PVC Angle will finish the edges.
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