Roof Canvas Insulation

[ejmoore]

The bubble wrap is not wide enough to wrap it in one piece (depthwise), so you have to join it. If you are particular, it looks better to have the join running round the middle, rather than having a full-depth bottom piece and a tapering top piece. To facilitate this, I actually made a little scale paper model (of the wrap, not the whole van) to make sure everything worked before I started cutting. But the biggest problem for me was finding enough space in the small flat we live in to lay out 8 metres of bubblewrap to tape the edges without kneeling on it and popping the bubbles.

It was a good piece of kit, very cheap, looked neat, and kept us warm. But it began to tear where it was stuffed behind the struts, and also didn't have windows, making it dark inside, so in the end we replaced it with a Calicap mütze.

 

[Dr-Snickers]

The bubble wrap is not wide enough to wrap it in one piece (depthwise), so you have to join it. If you are particular, it looks better to have the join running round the middle, rather than having a full-depth bottom piece and a tapering top piece. To facilitate this, I actually made a little scale paper model (of the wrap, not the whole van) to make sure everything worked before I started cutting. But the biggest problem for me was finding enough space in the small flat we live in to lay out 8 metres of bubblewrap to tape the edges without kneeling on it and popping the bubbles.

It was a good piece of kit, very cheap, looked neat, and kept us warm. But it began to tear where it was stuffed behind the struts, and also didn't have windows, making it dark inside, so in the end we replaced it with a Calicap mütze.

View attachment 78567

I think it must depend on the roll you buy, as I purchased a single roll from Screwfix and it worked perfectly with no joins.

YBS Thermawrap General Purpose Insulation 10m x 1.05m - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. High quality LDPE bubble membrane with aluminium reflective foil surfaces on both sides which retains heat and protects against cold. Offers the same thermal resistance as 55mm polystyrene and equivalent to 35mm PIR insulation board. Can be used for refurbishments...

www.screwfix.com

 

[ejmoore]

That would have made things easier!

 

[Beachbum140]

I have just returned from Scotland and was asked by 2 separate California owners about the foil insulation I put around the Canvas roof if its cold or is likely to rain.

I am not claiming the idea as mine, I think there is a company that sells them, others on this forum have made them themselves already.
But with the interest I thought I would post a picture and plan in case anyone else wants to make one for themselves as I think it works very well

View attachment 33707

View attachment 33706
Check dimensions yourselves before cutting!!! (don't blame me )

It is just double bubble foil insulation cut to shape and the edges sealed with Duck tape from Screwfix with a velcro closure.

You need:
1 roll Double Aluminium Double Layer Bubble Wrap Foil Insulation 1.2m x 10m approx £35
1 roll Duck Original Cloth Tape 50 Mesh Silver 50mm x 25m approx £6
1 roll Velcro Brand Stick-On Tape White 20mm x 2.5m approx £4
( with the excess foil I made a front screen and side window screens for use inside under the Cali blinds)

Advantages:
Relatively quick to fit under the struts and velcro to itself at the back (it is an advantage to be tall)..easier to fit than a Cali-cover but probably not as good in more extreme weather.
Largely stops the Canvas from getting wet in the rain.
Keeps the van dark inside in the morning when its sunny.
Warmer.
Lightweight.

Disadvantages:
It takes a couple of hours to make and costs just over £40
You can't use the windows in the canvas so the van is darker inside during the day.
When rolled up for transit its still about 300mm diameter and 1.02m long.

Hope this helps anyone interested

Mike i have just today completed our DIY insulation using your illustration so a very BIG thank you

 

[Cal’ish]

Million thanks for posting this blueprint. Has anyone verified if the measurements will work well with a T6 Ocean?

 

[Sunmok]

Million thanks for posting this blueprint. Has anyone verified if the measurements will work well with a T6 Ocean?

Hi
The template works great with a t6 Ocean. You'll need the template with the adjusted sizes, you can find it in the post. good luck!

 

[Cal’ish]

Hi
The template works great with a t6 Ocean. You'll need the template with the adjusted sizes, you can find it in the post. good luck!

Great thanks! I presume this is the adjusted template that you are referring to?

 

[Sunmok]

Great thanks! I presume this is the adjusted template that you are referring to?
View attachment 85963

yep that's the one!

 

[Cal’ish]

These gaps puzzle me a bit. Are they meant to compensate for the curve/sphere of the front of the canvas?

 

[Beachbum140]

These gaps puzzle me a bit. Are they meant to compensate for the curve/sphere of the front of the canvas?
View attachment 86092

Minor adjustment but makes the foil fit snug beween roof and yhe body. Currently camping in South Africe in pouring rain with foil top in and so grateful. Also one of the best additions to our Cali.

 

[Cal’ish]

First fitting before duct taping the edges and now I see the need for the arched cut-outs, especially at the bottom since the roof is not flat

 

[Pando72]

Hi been looking into doing this but I am completely missing something the front panel is 1700 mm high how do you get to make the sides with only a 1.2 m sheet .sure it’s a simple answer but can’t seem to figure it out

 

[soulstyledevon]

Alternatively. If you don’t fancy the faff of external covers.
The quicker solution for some heat up top.

 

[Radio-active]

Hi been looking into doing this but I am completely missing something the front panel is 1700 mm high how do you get to make the sides with only a 1.2 m sheet .sure it’s a simple answer but can’t seem to figure it out

If you measure the height of the canvas at the front when raised is just over 1 meter so the foil wrap can be made from a 1.2m wide roll

 

[Pando72]

Thanks I need to measure it again ,

 

[Steeble]

I know it's an old thread but thanks to op for template. Mostly for pointing out that front parts aren't perpendicular. I've done a quick rough job that needs finessing but looks like it will wprk

 

[laeli]

After using this roof cover for a while (thanks!!) I’m considering making an external cover for the windshield with the leftover aluminum foil. Has anybody ever done that and created a drawing with measures?
I’ve found this online, but not very detailed.
Thank you!

 

[ejmoore]

Good idea! our spare foil is now stuffed down the back of a radiator in our flat, for home insulation!

 

[Radio-active]

Good idea! our spare foil is now stuffed down the back of a radiator in our flat, for home insulation!

Great idea, I made them for the inside of the California side windows and windscreen, but fitting internally not externally and held in place by the california blinds.

 

[laeli]

Great idea, I made them for the inside of the California side windows and windscreen, but fitting internally not externally and held in place by the california blinds.

Great idea, I made them for the inside of the California side windows and windscreen, but fitting internally not externally and held in place by the california blinds.

Great idea, I made them for the inside of the California side windows and windscreen, but fitting internally not externally and held in place by the california blinds.

I made them too for the side windows (inside) with snap buttons to attach them to the original ones. They work very well

 

[laeli]

I made it for windshield too. Goes over the mirrors and into the doors, so the lateral flaps are asymmetrical as this is a leftover part that I reused. I cut it in place and measured later, made from a 1m wide roll, this is the result: