Posted 2011-08-04 10:26 AM (#136451) Subject: Insulating a trailer
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
Hi,we are thinking about ordering a trailer (aluminum roof) and debating whether to get insulation from the factory. or do it ourselves.i think they are quoting $1-1.5K to insulate the roof of the entire trailer. would it be an easy task to do a Do-It-Yourslef? I guess get some insulating panels from HD and something else to give it a finish look? anything else to look out for?
Posted 2011-08-05 12:24 AM (#136474 - in reply to #136451) Subject: RE: Insulating a trailer
New User
Posts: 1
Location: West Paducah KY
We just purchased a new 3 horse slant trailer with about a 14 foot long wall and about a 9 or 10 foot short wall LQ unfinished. I can buy 1 inch thick white styrofoam insulation panels with a R4 value for half of the cost of the pink or blue panels with an R5 value. Here's my question. Is that 1 point in R value worth the extra expense? The other question is do I need to put a vapor barrier in the walls and ceiling? I plan on using I think 5/16 paneling on the walls and triple 2 beaded vinyl soffit material(like what is used on the eave of a house) on the ceiling. I will be using a roof a/c/heat unit.
Posted 2011-08-06 7:11 PM (#136514 - in reply to #136451) Subject: RE: Insulating a trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
Don"t go with the white panels for insulation under an aluminum roof. If you choose to do so you will need to install a thin reflective foil layer between the aluminum and the foam panels. he green and blue foam panels will not melt as readily as the less dense white ones. I am currently in the process of replacing the white panes which were installed in my trailer. When I removed the ceiling to repair some wiring I found that the insulation in the roof had melted. The contracter who built my barn had some scraps of the reflective insulation left over. I wedged some in place against the trailer roof and you would not believe the difference!
Posted 2011-08-06 10:06 PM (#136517 - in reply to #136451) Subject: RE: Insulating a trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The expanded polystyrene bead type of foam doesn't work as well as the closed cell polyurethane foam with the attached foil facing. The polyurethane has a higher R factor per thickness, can withstand a higher heat, and can be purchased with foil facing on both surfaces. This reflects the heat both from the trailer and within. It is easy to work with and can be affixed with most common construction adhesives. Some adhesives are not compatible with the polystyrene bead type of insulation.
Insulating a trailer
