How do you insulate a horse trailer tack room?
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How do you insulate a horse trailer tack room? We will explain what is the best insulation material for a horse trailer tack room, explain how and why you should consider insulating the trailer in the first place.
How do you insulate a horse trailer tack room?
To insulate a horse trailer tack room, follow these simple steps:
- Cut insulation sections with a utility knife to fit along the sides of the trailer tack room between the beams. Insulation can also be added to the ceiling and floor of your horse trailer.
- Cut in the back of the insulation with 1/2 inch spacers when mounting the insulation in the curved areas within your horse trailer. Don’t cut all the way through so you can bend the insulation.
- Secure the insulation with 2 inch aluminum tape. Secure edges of the insulation with the tape along the beams. aluminum tape withstands hotter temperatures.
- Seal and caulk rivets and roof seams to prevent rain leaks. Another option is to install a one-piece, seamless fiberglass reinforced steel roof. This type of roof is bolted to the side walls of the interior of the trailer.
Why insulate a horse trailer tack room?
With the insulation of your horse trailer tack room, a much more stable temperature and a better feeling of comfort is achieved. In addition to that, it supposes a certain reduction in external noise, which is always a great addition.
- Protect the inside from cold and heat: If you have good insulation in your trailer regardless of whether it is hot or cold, you will not depend on good weather to travel in it. With a good insulation, the temperature of your trailer remains constant, producing a feeling of comfort and environmental quality.
In winter, being cold becomes a very unpleasant experience and long summer days are torture. By insulating a trailer tack room you reduce the impact of those temperatures inside your trailer and make it a pleasant place to be.
- Moisture and water condensation: When the weather is harsh, a temperature difference is created that causes humidity in the environment. The installation of insulating material inside your horse trailer tack room will put an end to this problem and will give the trailer greater comfort, maintaining a stable temperature more easily.
- Reduce electricity consumption: The cleanest energy is the one that is not consumed and isolating is synonymous with saving. Insulating a horse trailer tack room by reducing the amount of energy required to heat it, is environmentally friendly.
The types of insulation for a horse trailer tack room
There are several types of insulators for your horse trailer tack room. The need to move towards sustainability in all aspects leads us to include it in two types of insulation: ecological insulation and synthetic insulation.
Ecological insulation for your horse trailer tack room
Ecological insulators are those that have a minimal impact on the environment and are of natural origin. They are a sustainable alternative to better known non-sustainable insulation, such as polyurethane foam, polystyrene, etc.
Another issue that makes this type of insulation more respectful with the environment is that they do not require petroleum products to obtain them. This also makes the amount of energy necessary for its production lower and therefore more beneficial for our planet.
There are insulating materials of natural origin and with low energy consumption necessary for their manufacture. But not all insulation materials are equally ecological or respectful with the environment.
| Wood Fiber | This is a 100% natural and ecological material. It has a great heat absorption capacity and favours the diffusion of steam, thus preventing the appearance of mould. It is a biodegradable material, reusable and applied correctly, it has a long life. They do not emit toxic gases and are free of products that are harmful to health. |
| Cork | It is a 100% natural, recyclable and renewable insulating material that is extracted every nine years without causing damage to trees. Cork has a great acoustic and thermal capacity against heat and cold, it is waterproof, breathable and prevents condensation in the area it insulates. It is a material that is very resistant to compression, weighs very little and is very easy to install. |
| Sprayed cork | This is a crushed cork powder coating. One of the applications of this thermal insulation is to thermally insulate the interior of vehicles. In the case of horse trailers, it is also a good option. In addition to a very simple application, unlike other options to insulate a trailer the sprayed cork does not take up any space as it soaks into the surface. |
| Expanded cork | Expanded cork slabs are natural, sustainable and are used as acoustic and thermal insulation insulators. In its veneering process, no chemical substance is needed since it is made with its own resin (suberin). |
| Hemp | Among its properties is its thermal and acoustic capacity. The hemp blanket is the most common insulation format that we can find in the market for this material. It is manufactured from joined hemp fibres from the cannabis plant and the energy consumption to obtain it is minimal since it is of plant origin. |
| Linen | Linen is excellent thermal insulation of natural origin that has practically no disadvantages except for its high price. In the same way as hemp, flax was also one of the first plants cultivated by humans. It is a fire retardant material since linen does not ignite and is very resistant to humidity due to its good vapour permeability, thus avoiding unwanted condensation. |
| Rock wool | Rock wool has excellent thermal and acoustic properties. They are also an excellent option against condensation and humidity because it does not absorb water since it is a hydrophobic material. But despite being a natural material, both the manufacture of rock wool and fibreglass require a high energy demand. That is why, compared to other materials, they are a less sustainable option. It is easy to install and for its manipulation, it is necessary to use protective equipment. |
| Glass wool | It is a thermal and acoustic insulating material that is obtained by melting a mixture of natural sand, additives and recycled glass at a very high temperature. Once the glass is turned into fibres, it undergoes a high-speed process (similar to that of cotton candy) that filters it into small filaments and is cooled with air. To obtain the fibre mesh, the millions of filaments are compacted with a binder that adheres the fibres to each other. |
| Fibreglass | it is non-combustible, non-flammable, does not generate smoke or toxic gases and withstands high temperatures. Although there are doubts as to whether it is toxic or not, the answer has “buts.” In principle, it is a safe material, but the fibreglass particles come off when handled and can penetrate the skin or be inhaled. |
Synthetic insulation for a horse trailer tack room
On the market, there is a wide variety of materials to insulate your horse trailer. In this section, we are going to show you those insulators that do not appear natural and that need to be created through an industrial process.
| Kaiflex | Kaiflex is a flexible, self-adhesive thermal insulator made from synthetic rubber. Formed from thousands of independent water-resistant cells, it keeps moisture out and does not require a vapour barrier. In addition, when faced with a fire, its composition makes the flame extinguish and it does not decompose, thus avoiding the spread by dripping. |
| Multi-layer reflective insulation | Multi-layer reflective insulation is a widely used material for insulating horse trailers. It is composed of different sheets of reflective materials such as aluminum, polyester or polyethene foam in a combination of layers. |
| Polyurethane foam | Polyurethane foam, well known in the construction world, is widely used in the insulation and sealing of windows and doors. It is also used to block heat loss points or to fill gaps. This material is zero in terms of sustainability. |
| Expanded polystyrene | One of its properties is its great thermal and acoustic insulating capacity. It is an excellent insulator against both cold and heat. |
| Extruded polystyrene | Extruded polystyrene is one of the best thermal insulators that can be found on the market. And although they are not widely used to insulate a horse trailer because it is sold in rigid sheets, it has great properties against cold and heat. |
The bottom line
Horse trailers can be more comfortable with insulation and the correct installation – either for your horse or for yourself as converting into living quarters. Insulation of your horse trailer tack room, on the other hand, is a personal choice.
Still, in this article, you found what are the best insulating materials and how to insulate the horse trailer tack room by yourself.
If you have more questions or comments on the content, feel free to get in contact!
FAQ on How do you insulate a horse trailer tack room?
How to thermally insulate a vehicle?
To thermally insulate a vehicle you can use an asphalt blanket, aluminium adhesive felt, EVA thermal insulation or aluminized etalon. Coating the interior of the vehicle with these characteristics is what creates the insulating layer, helping to prevent heat from the exterior from reaching the interior of the vehicle.
How is the insulating membrane placed?
The role of insulation should be extended towards the highest part of the ceiling. Once the roll reaches the highest level of the ceiling, it must be attached to the structure. Once the insulation is fixed on the top of the roof, it should be aligned until it is parallel with the braces.
How can I insulate a trailer?
The best option to insulate the trailer: Kaiflex or Armaflex type synthetic rubber elastomeric foam. The best insulating material is elastomeric foam based on synthetic rubber with a closed-cell structure. The best-known brands are Kaiflex or Armaflex.
Should I insulate the floor of my trailer?
Yes, you should definitely insulate the floor of your trailer. Insulation is one of the most important steps in the arrangement of a trailer. Indeed, in summer as in winter, it allows us to protect ourselves from the cold or extreme heat.
Other FAQs about Horse Trailers that you may be interested in.
How do I stop condensation in my horse trailer?
How do I find a repossessed horse trailer?
References
- Viewing a thread – How to insulate a dressing room? – Horse Trailer …
- How to Insulate a Horse Trailer – Pets on Mom.com
- Insulating a Horse Trailer – TrailMeister
