Van Subfloor + Floor Insulation

Our van build is going a bit slower than we hoped, but we are knocking things off our list! During Kathryn’s most recent trip to Austin she tackled the subfloor and floor insulation with Havelock wool. Just like the rest of the van, we decided to use Havelock wool to insulate the floor. The only downside is since it’s so soft, you can’t just put a floor on top (it’ll be too squishy), so you need to create a frame to ensure that the floor has something sturdy to attach to. Thankfully we have some Instagram friends (Finding Fresh Air) who also have a Sprinter and are using Havelock wool, so we followed their instructions to create our own subfloor!

Here’s the quick rundown of the steps, but check out the video to see it (and Kathryn’s dance moves) in action!

1. Remove cargo rings (if applicable)
2. Create a template for your subfloor using builder’s paper. Mark the spots on the template where the cargo rings were removed. You’ll use these holes later
3. Create a subfloor frame–make sure to keep track of the measurements for later! We used Loctite marine adhesive to secure these to the van floor
4. Insert the Havelock wool into the frame
5. Prime one side of your subfloor wood (we used ½ inch plywood) to help protect it from moisture
6. Lay out the template on the non-primed side of the plywood and trace it. Make sure to mark the spots where the cargo ring holes are
7. Cut out the subfloor pieces with a saw
8. Place the subfloor pieces in the van to ensure they fit
9. Use biscuits and glue to attach the subfloor pieces together inside the van
10. Bolt the subfloor to the van floor using the cargo ring holes
11. Mark lines where the subfloor meets the frame
12. Screw the subfloor into the frame along these lines to ensure the floor is sturdy

If you have any questions, let us know!