ExpoMike
Well-known member
Hi all,
I have finally fully gutted my M1010 ambulance and am getting ready to start building up the interior. The box is all aluminum using Z channel stud walls and roof, skinned in sheet aluminum. I am planning to use XPS (if I can find locally, which I am having a hard time of) or EPS foam board to insulate the box. I am trying to eliminate or use very little wood inside, to prevent any issues with possible water damage or rot down the road. Originally the inside was skinned in embossed aluminum sheet, riveted to the studs. This method would definitely have issues with thermal bridging which I would like to eliminate as well.
My original idea was to use FRP panels attached to the studs using 3M VHB tape but after talking to a FRP company about my use, they couldn't recommend it for overhead use, let alone not being glued to a solid subsurface. Not sure if this is a viable option at this point. Nice thing about this option was I could get 9' long panels, so I could run them full length front to rear, to minimize joints. Cost was looking around $550 shipped. Concern is, without any subsurface to be glued to, the FRP panels would sag between studs overhead. Another plus is I can get them in some colors outside of basic white.
Then reading in another ExPo member's thread, they used ABS sheets. I went by and talked to a guy at E-Plastics (where they got their panels). Seems like a viable option as he indicated they are very thermal stable and would not need a subsurface to attach to (looking at the 3/16" thick panels). Downside is the weight at 33 lbs per panel, which in a overhead use, I don't think VHB tape would hold long term, requiring some mechanical fashioner, likely creating a thermal bridge. Other items to note, they only come in black or white colors, they are only available in 8' lengths, requiring me to run them vertically so the long walls and ceiling would have 3 joints versus 1 of the FRP panels. Other factor is cost is $1100, double the price.
My question for everyone are as follows,
1. Am I overreacting to the use of wood panels and/or is there a good way to waterproof them?
2. Are there other options beyond wood, FRP or ABS panels that would hold up to camper use (heat, moisture, vibration, etc.) and would work for overhead use by attaching to studs only?
3. Are there better methods to attach panels to the studs, to not cause thermal bridging but will hold up to this use?
One thing to note, weight is a concern as is thickness. With such a limited space, I do not want to use up any extra space then absolutely needed.
Throw out some ideas, thoughts, comments or suggestions. For reference, this is what the inside looks like.
I have finally fully gutted my M1010 ambulance and am getting ready to start building up the interior. The box is all aluminum using Z channel stud walls and roof, skinned in sheet aluminum. I am planning to use XPS (if I can find locally, which I am having a hard time of) or EPS foam board to insulate the box. I am trying to eliminate or use very little wood inside, to prevent any issues with possible water damage or rot down the road. Originally the inside was skinned in embossed aluminum sheet, riveted to the studs. This method would definitely have issues with thermal bridging which I would like to eliminate as well.
My original idea was to use FRP panels attached to the studs using 3M VHB tape but after talking to a FRP company about my use, they couldn't recommend it for overhead use, let alone not being glued to a solid subsurface. Not sure if this is a viable option at this point. Nice thing about this option was I could get 9' long panels, so I could run them full length front to rear, to minimize joints. Cost was looking around $550 shipped. Concern is, without any subsurface to be glued to, the FRP panels would sag between studs overhead. Another plus is I can get them in some colors outside of basic white.
Then reading in another ExPo member's thread, they used ABS sheets. I went by and talked to a guy at E-Plastics (where they got their panels). Seems like a viable option as he indicated they are very thermal stable and would not need a subsurface to attach to (looking at the 3/16" thick panels). Downside is the weight at 33 lbs per panel, which in a overhead use, I don't think VHB tape would hold long term, requiring some mechanical fashioner, likely creating a thermal bridge. Other items to note, they only come in black or white colors, they are only available in 8' lengths, requiring me to run them vertically so the long walls and ceiling would have 3 joints versus 1 of the FRP panels. Other factor is cost is $1100, double the price.
My question for everyone are as follows,
1. Am I overreacting to the use of wood panels and/or is there a good way to waterproof them?
2. Are there other options beyond wood, FRP or ABS panels that would hold up to camper use (heat, moisture, vibration, etc.) and would work for overhead use by attaching to studs only?
3. Are there better methods to attach panels to the studs, to not cause thermal bridging but will hold up to this use?
One thing to note, weight is a concern as is thickness. With such a limited space, I do not want to use up any extra space then absolutely needed.
Throw out some ideas, thoughts, comments or suggestions. For reference, this is what the inside looks like.
