How much is a Reflectix for a pop-up camper?
By
Elaine Knight
In today’s blog post, we will answer the following question: How much is a Reflectix for a pop-up camper? We will review the costs but also the efficiency of Reflectix insulation. We will provide you with alternative methods of insulation for your pop-up camper as well.
How much is a Reflectix for a pop-up camper?
How much Reflectix you are going to need for a pop-up camper and the final costs will depend on the size of your pop-up and whether you want to insulate just some elements (e.g the windows) or the entire camper.
Generally, a roll of Reflectix will cost you between $50 and $150, depending on the size you will need: 25 ft or 100 ft length. If you do not know how much material you are going to need, on their official website, Reflectix makes available a DIY Product Calculator, where you set the dimensions of your camper to find out how many ft of product you are actually going to need!
A few great places to buy Reflectix for your pop-up camper are:
- On their official website (recommended for reliability)
- On Amazon (recommended for their offers)
- At any Home Depot store (recommended for fast delivery)
How good is Reflectix for pop-up campers?
In some cases, Reflectix falls squarely into the best-of-nothing category. You might have a cold pop-up camper with heat escaping through the roof. Stapling a layer of Reflectix along the rafters will reduce some heat loss, but not as well as the fibreglass mat. Still, if you can’t stand the thought of struggling with a fibreglass mat on your head, Reflectix is an alternative. In addition, its reflective surface would give your camper more ambient light.
Also, it can help in any areas where cold air is blowing in your pop-up. While caulking is the recommended procedure for this sort of thing, there may be situations where a large expanse of Reflectix will stop the airflow.
How does Reflectix work?
Found in major retail outlets such as the Home Depot insulation aisle, Reflectix comes in tightly wound 25 x 2-meter rolls of shiny, reflective, foil-textured insulation in plastic bags. The idea is that this thin material can act as a type of insulation in tight spaces where you can’t put thick fibreglass insulation. There is no metallic content; everything is plastic.
When shopping for insulation, all those giant balls of fibreglass, stiff foam, and even denim (recycled jeans) can seem intimidating. They are difficult to transport around the house and if you have a car it is even more difficult. Once you get them home, you need to dress from head to toe to protect yourself from all that itchy fibreglass.
Is there a better way? Does Reflectix offer a reasonable substitute?
Not exactly. Reflectix is not a fibreglass alternative. It is another type of insulation.
Reflectix R-value
Each of Reflectix’s statements regarding the R-value on the label is valid, but they must be accompanied by a fingerprint reading on the side. “This is reflective insulation,” the label reads, “Note: The R-value shown is only valid for the specified application when installed according to the installation instructions on the label or on our website.“
For example, the masonry value R 6.1 is only good if you provide two airspaces of 1.90 cm, one between Reflectix and the masonry wall and another between the drywall and the Reflectix. Reflectix’s declared R-14 R values for exterior walls are only good when the Reflectix is combined with R-13 fibreglass mat insulation.
If you don’t provide airspace, this product offers almost no insulating value. The rubber meets the road on the Reflectix website, where it says, “No airspace = no reflective insulation benefit. (An R-1.1 is provided by the product itself for the Reflective / Double material. Bubble.) “
If you have airspace, why laboriously hang a shiny Bubble Wrap in the centre of it when you can just fill it with much more efficient fibreglass insulation?
This is a question you will have to answer yourself!
How to use Reflectix for a pop-up camper?
Reflectix is a recognized insulator on the market. Easy to trim, it is slim so it can be adjusted to many surfaces. Many choose to combine it with another form of insulation. In fact, most caravanners use it. Since the floor of the pop-up campers is often curved on the sides, Reflectix is particularly practical at this level. Again, we recommend that you use reflective aluminum tape with the Reflectix.
Another way to insulate your pop-up camper is to install window coverings since this is where hot or cold air enters. One of the easiest ways to create your own window coverings is to use Reflectix as interior insulation. It can easily be glued or sewn between the materials. Consider using a tough material on the outside such as waterproof canvas. The more Reflectix materials you use, the more insulated your windows will be!
Alternative insulation for your pop-up camper
If Reflectix does not seem like the proper solution for you, here are three alternatives to insulate tour pop-up camper:
- Insulating spray foam: While polyurethane foam is one of the most effective ways to insulate a pop-up camper, it is also one of the most complicated to apply. Everyone we know who has had experience with this insulation agrees on one point: let the professionals do it. The silver lining is that closed-cell foam can fill in the small spaces that might let air through. Also, it is the insulation that has the greatest insulating capacity (R-value).
Insulation spray foam is among the horror stories we’ve heard about those who have tried to apply it on their own – in the seat belt buckle, for example. The result: additional costs and time for the purchase and installation of replacement parts! Be sure to inform the subcontractor of the places not to be covered. Tell them where the windows and sensitive mechanisms will be. You can also tape it yourself to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Rigid insulation panels: Rigid insulation panels are ideal for large flat surfaces of the pop-up camper. The best places to put them are on the ceiling and the floor since the panels can easily be cut to their dimensions. It is a strong, thick material that is unlikely to warp over time.
Note: Use reflective aluminum tape instead of good old duct tape to avoid the risk of mould!
- Recycled denim: When it comes to insulation, most think of mineral wool, be it glass wool or rock wool. A greener way to insulate your pop-up camper without sacrificing efficiency is to go with recycled denim. Lightweight and easy to install, this material can be inserted in the most complicated places of the walls of the pop-up camper.
Admittedly, it costs more than insulation with similar performance (glass wool or rock wool). It is still recommended as it is zero waste and does not affect air quality, unlike other insulators. Keep in mind that the materials you install in your pop-up camper will be your roommates on the road! Recycled denim is also an excellent acoustic insulator: it performs 30% better in this aspect than any other type of insulation.
Final verdict
In the end, Reflectix is exactly what it says. All information about Reflectix is presented on the label and its site is very informative. You would never use it for wall cavity insulation – why spend your time fixing this thing in the centre of your wall studs? But you can wrap pipes in it or use it for less critical areas, like the windows.
The key to using Reflectix properly is that you should take a little time to understand how reflective insulation works in the first place. The Reflectix site provides a wide variety of information on this and how it differs from other types of insulation.
The insulation of the pop-up camper can be more or less valid and efficient, but it is still there. This means that the interior can be heated and the heat maintained, perhaps some models “hold better than others”, but this is not very important: your camper can face the cold.
Do you have any questions or comments on the content? Please feel free to get in contact!
FAQ on How much is a Reflectix for a pop-up camper?
Can you insulate a pop-up camper?
Yes, you can indeed insulate a pop-up camper. Many pop-up owners are reluctant to this idea as it seems impossible to thoroughly insulate the canvas. Still, insulating your pop-up camper is important and beneficial for both you and your RV.
Do pop-up campers have good insulation?
Pop-up campers have perhaps the worst insulation: the pop-up roof makes the caravan have better insulation than one that does not have this type of roof, something that is very noticeable, both on the coldest days and on the hottest ones.
Are pop-up campers good?
Yes, pop-up campers are good. Pop-up campers are practical models with little consumption, in which the roof is raised in just over two minutes, and that allows you that functionality of having it parked at home and deciding to go out for a weekend without a problem.
Other FAQs about Pop up campers that you may be interested in.
Are Starcraft pop-up campers any good?
How much does it cost to replace a canvas on a pop-up camper?
What should you look for when buying a used pop-up camper?
References
- Pop Up Camper MYTHBUSTING | Does REFLECTIX Actually Work …
- Reflectix Insulation – Popup Camping 101
- 5 Great Ways To Insulate a Pop-Up Camper ( Against Heat or Cold )
