What is the best replacement flooring for RV?
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: What is the best replacement flooring for RV? We will suggest eight great replacement flooring for RVs.
What is the best replacement flooring for RV?
The best replacement flooring for RV in vinyl – a versatile, durable and water-resistant material.
Vinyl is considered the best replacement flooring in the RV community because it is fixed in an adhesive way, thus it can be installed easily. The design imitates wood and the dimensions are sufficient to cover the entire floor of an RV. Its price is also very economical.
The pros and cons of vinyl flooring
| Advantages of vinyl flooring for an RV | Disadvantages of vinyl flooring for an RV |
| The design: adhesive, thin and black in color that imitates wood | It is a bit difficult to put on surfaces that are not totally smooth, but it can be installed in no time. |
| The materials: vinyl and PVC resin | Vinyl flooring made from reprocessed plastic MAY contain toxic chemicals |
| It is easy to install: it is very easy to install, thanks to its adhesive side. | Has a shorter lifespan |
| Price: very economical. | Can be quite difficult to remove |
7 of the best replacement flooring for RVs
If vinyl flooring doesn’t seem like a good option to replace the flooring of your RV, no worries – in the sections below we review seven alternatives that are amazing replacement flooring for travel trailers, motorhomes and campervans.
Best replacement flooring for RV: Non-slip rubber floor
Non-slip rubber flooring is a great alternative to vinyl for RV. The rubber floor is non-slip, thanks to its design with circular reliefs. When installed it does not make lumps and is very resistant to continuous use. It can withstand high temperatures both indoors and outdoors very well. This option is non-toxic and stops smelling like rubber after a few days.
Advantages of rubber flooring for RVs
- Design: black and non-slip with relief in circles.
- Materials: good quality rubber has been used.
- It is easy to install – no tool installation is required.
- Price: quite inexpensive.
Disadvantages of rubber flooring for RVs
- This product can only be purchased in one colour.
- The type of material with which this non-slip floor is made is rubber.
Best replacement flooring for RV: compact wood
Compact wood or plywood boards for RVs are made of phenolic material. They are very good quality and a popular option for RV flooring. Wood is light, stable, durable and resistant – ideal for the walls and floors of RVs. Also, they can be used in humid environments such as bathrooms and RV kitchens.
Advantages of compact wood for RVs
- Design: light and resistant plywood eucalyptus wood boards.
- Materials: phenolic plywood.
- It’s easy to install – yes, hardly any tools are needed to install.
- Price: a bit high, but it is worth investing, due to the value for money offered by this model.
Advantages of compact wood for RVs
- The price is a bit high, but the quality of the wood is worth it.
Best replacement flooring for RV: cork sheets
Cork sheets for RV flooring are self-adhesive, with a very strong glue that is resistant to the passage of time. Its manufacturing material is a natural and unsealed cork. When cushioning is used on the floor, the feet feel great softness and warmth.
Advantages of cork sheets for RVs
- Design: natural cork sheets with a self-adhesive part.
- Materials: the materials that have been used are natural cork.
- It is easy to install: very easy to install as they are self-adhesive.
- Price: economical. It is the cheapest you can find in the sector at this time.
Disadvantages of cork sheets for RVs
- They smell a bit like glue when they are just opened from the packaging.
Best replacement flooring for RV: cork boards
Cork boards stand out for the high quality and durability. This type of flooring is elastic and made of materials free of harmful substances. Cork boards are also antistatic and quite light in weight. Cork is also ideal for use as thermal insulation, under laminate and parquet floors. The boards are very easy to fix or stick on the floor or walls with glue.
Advantages of cork boards for RVs
- Design: insulating and resistant cork boards.
- Materials: the main material of which this floor model is composed is natural cork.
- It is easy to install: they do not need installation and are easy to cut.
- Price: very economical.
Disadvantages of cork boards for RVs
- They do not have an adhesive foil.
Best replacement flooring for RV: smooth adhesive carpet
An adhesive carpe is easy to put on, no tools are needed for installation. Adhesive carpet can be used to line the bottom of the glove compartments and the doors of a campervan, motorhome or car. The price of this type of flooring is mostly affordable and offers good quality in materials and finishes. It comes rolled up which helps a lot to avoid wrinkles and facilitates its installation.
Advantages of adhesive carpet for RVs
- Design: sticky mat is black with a rectangular shape, it is soft, smooth and elastic.
- Materials: plastic.
- It is easy to install: it is self-adhesive and easy to put on
- Price: average (depending on the material and type).
Disadvantages of adhesive carpet for RVs
- When used with velcro it can facilitate lint.
- Difficult to remove.
Best replacement flooring for RV: fine wood sheets
Fine wood sheets have color tones that blend perfectly with any environment. They can be cut easily. Fine wood comes in different shades to suit your tastes and they are of a very good quality and can be used to cover various smooth surfaces in vans and motorhomes. Wood may be a more expensive replacement flooring for RVs, but it is also more durable.
Advantages of fine wood sheets for RVs
- Design: fine wood with different shades of colour that are easily cut.
- Materials: beech, mahogany and oak wood.
- It is easy to install: it is easy to put on because it is easily cut with scissors.
Disadvantages of fine wood sheets for RVs
- Quite expensive.
Best replacement flooring for RV: panel flooring
Panel flooring is very easy to install, is good quality, comfortable and can be cleaned with any product without fear that it may deteriorate. It can also be installed on any surface.
Advantages of panel flooring for RVs
- Materials: the main material that has been used is wood, which is more durable
- It’s easy to install – the click fit allows for easy and comfortable installation.
Disadvantages of panel flooring for RVs
- Price: a bit high, but the quality of its materials is very good.
- Not water-resistant
- Expensive to replace.
The bottom line
When converting a school bus or van to an RV, you must take the floor out in order to replace it. We do not recommend skipping this step unless you can prove that the flooring has been changed/upgraded in the last three years.
We hope that the types of replacement flooring presented in this article will inspire you to make the right choice. And if you have any additional questions or comments on the content, please feel free to contact us!
FAQ on What is the best replacement flooring for RV?
How to redo the floor of a camper?
To redo the floor of a camper use an easy-to-install material that cuts easily. The ideal is to opt for a lino, a vinyl floor or a PVC floor. This vinyl floor can be in the form of a roll or a quality adhesive plastic tile. There are very good products in DIY stores.
What type of flooring for a motorhome?
In motorhomes there are several types of flooring:
- PVC slats or tiles
- Laminate parquet floor
- Engineered parquet floor
- Solid parquet
- Seagrass
- Sisal floor
- Coconut fibre.
How to insulate the floor of a camper?
To insulate the floor of a camper you can add multi-layer insulation from the outside. You can also insulate through the floor by inserting a layer of multilayer insulation, available in DIY stores, between the carpets and the floor of the camper.
How to repair a camper that has water damage?
Here are the steps to follow to repair a camper that has water leak damage:
- Locate and repair the leak source;
- Remove damaged floors, ceilings and walls.
- Disinfect all surfaces.
- Air the camper until it is completely dry.
- Replace the damaged areas.
References
- The Best RV Flooring Ideas In 2022
- 6 Best Replacement Flooring Options For Your RV & How To Choose
- Everything you need to know about Vinyl flooring | Tarkett
