Winter Skylight Insulation

[AndyT4]

Hi everyone,
There’s a lot of info about windscreen insulation and avoiding condensation inside with external covers. But I cannot find a link to skylight preparation for winter insulation! We now have a Hymer T554 SL with A LOT of perspex on the roof and we plan to be touring this winter in the UK
We would appreciate any advice or ideas to help with these inevitable heat loss/cold gain and how to avoid condensation.
Many thank Andy

 

[CazPaul]

Just have them cracked open a bit when parked up, sleeping etc, no condensation.

 

[AndyT4]

Yep ventilation ventilation for condensation but we are looking at the alps in the new year...

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't have thought the UK gets cold enough to worry about it.

 

[CazPaul]

I wouldn't have thought the UK gets cold enough to worry about it.

You need to get your backside up to Teesdale for a tour you will soon change your mind

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[Nanniemate]

I only pull the blinds across so far not had a problem with the cold reach up turn the heater on before I get out of bed so van nice and toastie but when on EHU have a ecochcio oil free radiator suggest by another funster not only does it keep it warm needs to be turned down low once warm or it get blooming too hot but my van is only little

 

[mitzimad]

We cut blocks of kingspan type insulation to fit and sealed the edges with duct tape val tharones minus 20

 

[Geistguy]

Thick styrofoam cut to size and held in place by flexible plastic strips or at a push thin canes. Worked absolutely fine for us.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Our roof light and side windows are double glazed, I presume they all are, ours has never steamed up anyway.

 

[Lenny HB]

You need to get your backside up to Teesdale for a tour you will soon change your mind

Don't be silly I go south in the winter.

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[AndyT4]

Thick styrofoam cut to size and held in place by flexible plastic strips or at a push thin canes. Worked absolutely fine for us.

I was looking a kingspan... so I’m not loosing it! Thanks Geistguy

 

[AndyT4]

We cut blocks of kingspan type insulation to fit and sealed the edges with duct tape val tharones minus 20

Yes done 4V’s minus a lot day and night, many thanks

 

[AndyT4]

Thanks everyone for your time, fantastic support

 

[CazPaul]

Don't be silly I go south in the winter.

I was talking about summer up here

 

[Janine]

I used something which looked like silver bubble wrap in my last van. It was very lightweight and, being a snug fit, held itself up
No idea where it came from though - maybe it was for putting down the back of radiators at home?

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[Emmit]

We cut blocks of kingspan type insulation to fit and sealed the edges with duct tape val tharones minus 20

Did that when we were at Old Mo's place for several weeks three years ago.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I used something which looked like silver bubble wrap in my last van. It was very lightweight and, being a snug fit, held itself up
No idea where it came from though - maybe it was for putting down the back of radiators at home?

I got a roll on ebay, good for keeping the sun out in Spain too.

 

[AndyT4]

Don't be silly I go south in the winter.

I used something which looked like silver bubble wrap in my last van. It was very lightweight and, being a snug fit, held itself up
No idea where it came from though - maybe it was for putting down the back of radiators at home?

Found on ebay, thank you.

 

[AndyT4]

I got a roll on ebay, good for keeping the sun out in Spain too.

Found on ebay, thank you.

 

[Blue Knight]

Hi everyone,
There’s a lot of info about windscreen insulation and avoiding condensation inside with external covers. But I cannot find a link to skylight preparation for winter insulation! We now have a Hymer T554 SL with A LOT of perspex on the roof and we plan to be touring this winter in the UK
We would appreciate any advice or ideas to help with these inevitable heat loss/cold gain and how to avoid condensation.
Many thank Andy

Andy, this is the stuff you need - £30 from Screwfix.

It's very pliable and you can add as many layers as you wish to the windows, windscreen and skylights.

It worked a treat for us.

All the best,

Andrew

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[EuroTrotters]

Andy, this is the stuff you need - £30 from Screwfix.

It's very pliable and you can add as many layers as you wish to the windows, windscreen and skylights.

It worked a treat for us.

All the best,

Andrew

View attachment 533289

what I use

 

[Blue Knight]

what I use

Yep, it's fantastic for keeping the sun out too; a win-win

 

[Jamesh]

That's what I have used in my minibus windows.

I glued it to corrigated plastic backing sheet

After a few outings friction fit didn't work so I use velco strips to secure.

Cheers James

 

[Two on Tour]

I just got some of the cheap silver foil bubble rap insulation, stuck 4 layers together with double sided tape and then cutting to size to fit.
It's held in place by sliding closed the blind. Done the same for our other 2 roof light, and the hab side windows.
Acts as sound insulation as well.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Yep, it's fantastic for keeping the sun out too; a win-win

makes the a/c work less in the summer

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[AndyT4]

Andy, this is the stuff you need - £30 from Screwfix.

It's very pliable and you can add as many layers as you wish to the windows, windscreen and skylights.

It worked a treat for us.

All the best,

Andrew

View attachment 533289

Thanks BK, appreciate the effort mate

 

[AndyT4]

*

I wouldn't have thought the UK gets cold enough to worry about it.

hii Lenny, can you recommend a good windscreen insulator please for use in the UK? Cheers Andy

 

[Coolcats]

Yep ventilation ventilation for condensation but we are looking at the alps in the new year...

Have a peak at the vantastic couple if you have not left okey already check out the Hymer winterised and winter proof web page https://www.hymer.com/gb/en/travel-enjoy/planning-your-adventures/winter-camping

 

[Raul]

Have a peak at the vantastic couple if you have not left okey already check out the Hymer winterised and winter proof web page https://www.hymer.com/gb/en/travel-enjoy/planning-your-adventures/winter-camping

There is a flaw with its thinking on insulating the back doors. The reason he has moisture in the door cavities it’s lack of vapour barrier. The armaflex or similar insulations, should be stuck/ glued to the outside skin. Then fill the cavity with wool or similar that does not hold water but drains. Then close all up with vapour barrier glued on to the door well around the perimeter. Then fit any door cards. If you stop the moisture going in, you reduce condensation inside cavities. And, if you have decent insulation stuck to the outlet skin, you move the dew point to the outside. I know it’s difficult, as there is allot of conductive material, but that’s how it works in theory. My van in winter it ices up on the outside where the insulation is very effective.

As for roof lights. We mild insulate the aperture of our maxfan, the only opening to the roof. I made a sandwich of similar to YBS type. The ting is, you still need cross flow ventilation even at minus 20. We have air in at the back in the floor where we can control, and air out by the maxfan. If you live in the van you create moisture. Cross flow ventilation will be very effective on reducing the condensation. How well it works it depends on amount of condensation created, and the efficiency of your ventilation. There are heat recovery fans that can be integrated at the beginning of a build. To late for me now.

 

[spitfire]

I just got some of the cheap silver foil bubble rap insulation, stuck 4 layers together with double sided tape and then cutting to size to fit.
It's held in place by sliding closed the blind. Done the same for our other 2 roof light, and the hab side windows.
Acts as sound insulation as well.

View attachment 533291

Great job Did something similar with the front windscreen sun covers. Cut pieces to size , joined two together and sewed tape around the edges . Light and easy to store