Alternative to Ensolite

[Don A]

I am replacing the ensolite on my 17ft Boler and found this product. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice. I thought the fact that it has a finished side of white poly was a bonus.

Double Bubble Insulation : Radiant Barrier, Reflective Foil Insulation, Bubble Insulation: EcoFoil

Thanks.

Don

[Raya]

I can't comment on the bubble stuff, except I do wonder how tough the white skin would be (presuming you would plan to use that as the inner walls since you like that it is white).

I can't tell from your post: Have you ruled out new Ensolite for some reason? It sounds like it, but I thought I would ask.

[Don A]

I thought because I didn't have to find a finish material for the interior side of the ensolite that it would be easier to use a product that already had a finish on it. Pretty much new at all of this.

[Raya]

I see. Well it is true that (to my knowledge) no-one has found the Ensolite with the "white" skin on it like is in Bolers/Trilliums/older Scamps, etc.

However people have installed new Ensolite and then painted it. I don't know if that is what you mean by adding a finish material, or if you thought you would have to add vinyl or something.

At any rate, new Ensolite is an option; just wasn't sure if you knew that and didn't want it, or if you were not aware that it still existed.

Raya

[Roger C H]

Ensolite is available with a vinyl coating which will preclude the need for painting. I would consult your local foam distributor. Look under "Foam and sponge rubber" in the Yellow Pages. Or try here:

Foam & Sponge Rubber - Wholesalers &/or Manufacturers in Regina, SK | Canpages

Ask for "closed cell foam with a vinyl coating."

[Raya]

Wow, Roger... sweet! Somany people from the forum (Tom, are you reading this!?) have been searching high and low for the vinyl-coated Ensolite with no luck. Do you have a name or part number or any other info?

This is great news It's going to make for some very happy campers!

Raya

(I called for, and received, samples from IR Foam Specialty in Washington and from my conversation with them they had no vinyl-skinned Ensolite like is in our trailers, unless I was given mis-information. My samples were grey/black foam that would have needed to be painted. This is like what Brad and Jenny used in their red Boler - they went to IR Foam Specialties in person - they lived nearby - and they also ended up with the grey/black foam - they painted theirs.)

[Robert Johans]

Has anyone found a similar provider in the States?

[Raya]

Good question, but heck, I want to know more about even the Canadian provider. Roger C H, can you tell a bit more about this? People have been looking for this product for soooo long. I'm totally impressed that you were able to find it (heck, I tried but was unsuccessful; I was only able to source the uncoated type from IR Foam Specialty in Washington ), but I want to know more!

Don't leave us hanging!

Thank you,

Raya

[Roger C H]

Well, Trillium has the door gasket available:

Parts

As far as wall covering, this place looks promising:

Deccofelt Materials: Los Angeles California adhesive coating laminating, fabrics, foam, cork, felt, rubber, die cutting, slitting and sheeting

[Raya]

Hi Roger, and thanks for stopping back

Originally Posted by Roger C H

Ensolite is available with a vinyl coating which will preclude the need for painting.

It's this vinyl-coated Ensolite that has me so worked up. I take pride in the fact that I can find anything, but I have not been able to find it. Have you found it somewhere? You sounded so definite that I just want to be sure, because so many people have been looking for it.

(I don't actually need any now myself, as when I saw how hard it was to find I shifted my attention to trailers that did not need it, but there is a quite a group who would jump at the chance to buy some. Plus, if I ever find a Compact Jr......).

If not, I will lay this lead to rest; I just want to be sure before I do (yes, I have dogged determination when I am trying to find something ).

Raya

[astroboy]

Originally Posted by Raya L.

Hi Roger, and thanks for stopping back



It's this vinyl-coated Ensolite that has me so worked up. I take pride in the fact that I can find anything, but I have not been able to find it. Have you found it somewhere? You sounded so definite that I just want to be sure, because so many people have been looking for it.

(I don't actually need any now myself, as when I saw how hard it was to find I shifted my attention to trailers that did not need it, but there is a quite a group who would jump at the chance to buy some. Plus, if I ever find a Compact Jr......).

If not, I will lay this lead to rest; I just want to be sure before I do (yes, I have dogged determination when I am trying to find something ).

Raya

What about this product called Eco Cork Foam. I saw it at a Home Depot yesterday and thought it would be a perfect replacement to the Ensolite. I don't think it's paintable, but has a very nice earthy flecked beige look. It could be paintable, depending on what side you install it (one side is glossy) It has sound dampening, insulation properties and resistance to mold, bacteria, mildew issues. Anyway, thought it would be interesting.

Link to here:Eco Cork Foam - Natural Choice Underlayment, for Laminate and Engineered Wood Floors - ECF50T3B6 - Home Depot Canada

[Robert Johans]

I wonder how well this product reacts to compound curves... I see that it comes in rolls, but will it bend in two directions simultaneously?

[astroboy]

Originally Posted by Robert Johans

I wonder how well this product reacts to compound curves... I see that it comes in rolls, but will it bend in two directions simultaneously?

good thought. I think depending on if you use the shiny side out or not? someone would have to try a sample out.

[Nelmes]

Has anyone used anything except ensolite? Would be interested in the result (condensation and insulation)?

Also is I noticed many of the above are vapor barriers, does this cause any problems?

[KevC]

Is this lead dead?

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Don A

I am replacing the ensolite on my 17ft Boler and found this product. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice. I thought the fact that it has a finished side of white poly was a bonus.

Double Bubble Insulation : Radiant Barrier, Reflective Foil Insulation, Bubble Insulation: EcoFoil

Thanks.

Don

This comes in several colors and a couple of weaves.....

Ozite - Textile Specialists since 1864

[David Tilston]

Ensolite reminds me of Neoprene with a vinyl finish. Would it not be possible to glue the Neoprene to the walls, then paint with a vinyl based paint, or another flexible paint?
I found this web site:
Neoprene Fabric, Sheets and Neoprene Rubber
They sell 51"x83"sheets of plain Neoprene in a 3mm thickness for $20.80, or 6mm thick for $32.80.
Am I missing something? It probably is too flammable.

[Donna D.]

The only thing I can think of is Neoprene is not closed cell. Any rubber product or synthetic needs to be closed cell in order to NOT absorb moisture. I have a neoprene mouse pad that's covered in a fabric of some sort and it's soft.... but not water proof.

[Eddie Longest]

Kevin made several videos about the subject. He was working with a couple of foams covered with a marine vinyl material. Here is one his first videos.
Eddie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCHYdqtkAG8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwF9UNgEBs4

http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinhen.../4/oJJn2Qv8RiY

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

The only thing I can think of is Neoprene is not closed cell. Any rubber product or synthetic needs to be closed cell in order to NOT absorb moisture. I have a neoprene mouse pad that's covered in a fabric of some sort and it's soft.... but not water proof.

It may not qualify as closed cell, but the specs in the web link I posted claims water absorption as 1%, pretty low. They even have a type that performs at higher water pressure. I wonder if it is more closed cell then other type? I haven't gone shopping yet, but there may be a closed cell variety of it.

The more I think about it the more I like it. With some skill you could use the patterned stuff, (Camo interior???). It is pretty good insulation. The wet suit my brother purchased is a farmer John bottom with a long sleeve shorts top. I'm not sure what the individual thickness are, but in total his torso is covered by ~15mm. Since he rarely swims in the arctic, it is way too hot. I has to be darn cold for either piece to be useful. And all that neoprene is very buoyant. He has to have 150lb in weight just to get below the surface. So it does seem kinda closed cell. I hear that it is heavy. It might add too much weight, but my Trillium seems to have a very thin layer of Ensolite. It really is just to help with condensation, not reduce winter heating costs. Cover 3mm of it in white, (or whatever) vinyl and I don't think I could tell it from the real elephant skin. Before you paint it, it would sure form into the complex curves nice.

Acording to this web site:
Conduction - The Physics Hypertextbook
The thermal conductivity of neoprene is comparable to asbestos but not nearly as good as fiber glass. I wonder what the numbers on Ensolite are?

I am going to Home Depot to look for Eco Foam at lunch tomorow,

I don't have a problem with my trailer, but I want more Trilliums, think I have a bug! I think Randy Bishop would understand. Next time, I want a 4500 that is a fixer-uper. I want to put a proper front bathroom in one. One for just my wife and I.