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numbnuckles · 04-21-2014, 07:15 PM

Brand new here. Just got my first airstream. Excited! 1965 safari. Exterior is in excellent shape. Inside very good except for cabinetry. My first question is about wall\ceiling insulation. I pulled a inside panel off below a window. The insulation looks very good. Would it be worth the time and expense to replace it all? I know the floor insulation is bad. Thanks for your input.

Mixter · 04-21-2014, 07:40 PM

No Way. I've got mine ripped apart only because I ended up with a full monte, shell off resto. But I'm going to put the pink stuff right back in. Mine was actually in pretty good shape too. Unless you need to pull the interior panels and rip out the insulation, I dont see any good reason to do it. I believe Zep did an experiment thread, where he tried several different types of insulation and the pink stuff ranked up on top.

The floor pink stuff is another story. It is a horrible design that causes so much damage. I'm not putting anything back under the floor. Only because i'll have flooring over the subfloor, and I just dont think I need any. Plus I want the wood subfloor to be able to dry if & when it ever gets wet. I'm also in Florida, so I'm not worried about insulating from the cold anyway. Although, we'll see if the heat is something I'll wish I had floor insulation for...

If you are going to do your floor, the most popular method seems to be the foam board fastened underneath. Although I still believe that it should be attached so that it stands off the floor so that when it gets wet, its not sandwiched against foam that will not allow it to dry.... just my .02 cents.

Belegedhel · 04-21-2014, 08:27 PM

I'll second that. If your electrical systems are all satisfactory, you don't need to tear the wall apart for floor repairs, and there are no signs/smells of an infestation of some kind, then I would leave it alone. I've become convinced that regardless of the space-aged insulations that are available today, your windows are going to bleed heat.

numbnuckles · 04-22-2014, 07:27 PM

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I'm a carpenter/cabinet builder/electrician. I think I'll crank down the ac on a hot day and check for hot spots with my laser thomometer just to be sure. Wiring is in great shape. I can't see all the work of taking the skins down for a minor insulation gain. Floor insulation will come out! What would you think about putting 1\4 or1\2 foam board on top of subfloor then laminate on top of that? I know I would loose ceiling height. Thanks everyone!

Mixter · 04-22-2014, 07:53 PM

Id say that's totally up to your personal preference.

My thoughts, however, are that I dont want anything up next to my wood subfloor that wont dissipate any water and breathe when it gets wet. My thoughts are that it will get wet. If can dry, then it wont rot.