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Subject:Re: alternatives to fiberglass insulation
From:Florian Speier
Date:Mon, 26 Feb 2007 07:56:35 -0800

Hi,

IMO that bubble stuff is not the best out there, though it does help. I am
an architect and dealing with insulation on a daily basis, and there are few
things that beat a material that is extruded/foamed. Reason is that the most
insulation is gained by making the heat change mediums, like going from
plastic into air. now if you use bubble stuff, the heat only has to go from
air to aluminum foil to plastic foil to air to plastic foil to aluminum to
air. yes, the air pockets do insulate, but not that much. with foam on the
other hand, the heat has to pass thousands of mini bubbles.
that is why all the european adventure campers use foam mats for insulation.
you must use closed cell foam so it cannot take on water. companies like
reimo sell it in varying thicknesses, but its nothing special, its just the
exact same material as good camping pads use. the cheapest place to get this
in the u.s. is:

http://tinyurl.com/34zp4z

now, at $6 a pad and free shipping you can afford to put two layers in your
van? you can glue it in with 3m sprayglue for foam (i will test that in  the
next few days.
p.s. amazon used to offer the grey mat for the same price, but just raised
the grey mat price to 15$. if you consider using this, you might want to
order the blue ones now as they are still  cheap.

have fun and warm nights, as well as cool days in the heat.
flo

On 2/25/07, Jason Willenbrock <pooncerelli@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hey all
> I am pulling all my fiberglass insulation out of my panels because I am
> noticing they are holding moisture.  What alternatives to fiberglass can I
> use in the panels in my syncro westy??  Obviously something that does not
> hold moisture, even with a vapor barrier, and still insulates well
> TIA
> jason'
> 87 syncro westy
>
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