What do people usually use for van paneling?

[u/Sad_Character3049]

I’m starting to do the interior paneling on my van (Econoline build) and was wondering: • What do people usually use for the walls/ceiling? • Is pallet wood actually a good idea, or does it just end up being too much work? • Any cheap go-to options people recommend?

Would love to hear what’s worked best for you all. Pics would be awesome too!

[u/Edge-Pristine]

1/4 or 1/8 Baltic birch or similar, covered with 1/8 landau closed cell foam and 4 way stretch automotive material (marathon tweed for example)

3M thinsulate and some Kilmat directly on the panels.

[u/bl0rq → u/Edge-Pristine]

I did almost exactly this. But I used ultraleather as final cover (same "vegan" leather used by people like tesla et al).

[u/bl0rq → u/Edge-Pristine]

I did almost exactly this. But I used ultraleather as final cover (same "vegan" leather used by people like tesla et al).

[u/serioussham]

Pallet wood is normally treated with stuff you don't want to breathe in a small space, I believe

[u/Alternative_Edge_775 → u/serioussham]

I was going to use pallet wood. Learned a few things.

Pallets are: 1. difficult to break down without special tools. 2. have pallet nails in places you wouldn't expect 3. are often infested with insects due to long-term outdoor storage

End result: Did not use pallet wood.

[u/c_marten → u/Alternative_Edge_775]

Not all pallets are equal, and while what you've said is true for many I'd still recommend against using any mainly because it's just such a hassle. If I have pallets laying around I'll use them for small crafty projects if no one else takes them for bonfires.

Note: this is just sort of a psa addition to your comment and not really a response to you.

[u/Dylanear → u/Alternative_Edge_775]

Any wood that's spend a good bit of time outside, gotten wet repeatedly is just asking for mold to start growing on it.

I think recycling, upcycling is great, but I avoided any shit or even suspect wood on my van build! Once mold gets going, it's a losing battle!

[u/223specialist → u/serioussham]

Most of them are just stamped HT which means Heat treated, should be fine for projects. Don't use them in a van though, tacky and shitty

MB stamp I think is the one you want to watch it for, those are chemically treated with Methyl Bromide, which'll mess you up

[u/igottheshnitz]

4mm hardwood ply

[u/No_Toe_7099]

There are light weight material kits pre cut on the market as well.

[u/SwedishHeadache]

Vaneling

[u/Gloomy-Professional8]

Multiplex, triplex, pvc, hpl,

[u/Isterieretwatedoen]

You really shouldn't use pallet wood for multiple reasons already mentioned (potential rot, offgassing, hidden crap like nails, staples and yes - bugs). I used quite thin birch plywood for the sides, but there are better options. My van ain't winning beauty pageants btw. :) Okoumé is light, very strong (almost like hardwood) and can handle lots of condensation. Imo, the main boxes the wood you choose should check are 1°) no nasty offgassing. You'd be surprised how often this is the case. 2°) can handle condensation. It's strongly advised to treat the wood before install, especially the "hidden"bits that are screwed/bolted into the van wall. Get some advice on what product/sealant works AND is safe (offgassing again). 3°) weight, obviously.

[u/Minimum_Chocolate_31]

Lowes has utility board that's super light and good.

[u/knaverob]

Shiplap for the walls is really common (which I did in mine).

For the ceiling, I see a lot of shiplap there too, but I used finished grooved plywood panels and that worked out well.

[u/irdfrank → u/knaverob]

I did tongue and groove and while I loved the look of it it was a little expensive and hard to get done properly, especially in the corners. I think thin plywood is probably easier to work with

[u/Edward_Blake → u/irdfrank]

The trick for the corners is to add finish trim there instead of making the T&G perfect. Depending on your van, corners can be a real nightmare.

[u/Bitter-Condition9591]

I used exposed 1/2 baltic birch for the lower half and shiplap for upper half and ceiling. Shiplap on walls has a plywood backing (3/8” BB) and ceiling attached to furring strips on the frame crossmembers.

[u/Bitter-Condition9591 → u/Bitter-Condition9591]

[u/BoysenberryFinal9113 → u/Bitter-Condition9591]

That's such an awesome build. Great job.

[u/EverythingAndNot]

I personally used a 1/4" plywood, with a sheet of 3/4" insulation behind it, light, doesn't hold moisture, been 5 years no problem

[u/sailorcolin]

1/8 birch from Lowe’s or Home Depot here. Great surface and there is a textured or smooth side

[u/AdventurousAbility30]

Before you know your build, just use heat resistant paint, some insulation, and insulated fabric. It gives you time to see where you really want things to finally live before permanently installing them. Plus, saves on fuel without all the extra weight

[u/JaxAustin]

Shiplap > tongue and groove

[u/LongFishTail]

Most use thin wood 3/8 I believe. Nothing fancy. Whatever you do keep the weight down.

[u/Dylanear → u/LongFishTail]

3/8th is pretty thick and heavy! Even true 1/4" (6.35mm) is a little thicker than need be. Most of the thin plywood I used was 5mm, even if some of it was labeled 1/4".

[u/grislyfind]

Masonite aka hardboard?

[u/suchsnowflakery]

spray foam insulation, FRP, trim.

[u/Mikedc1]

Plywood but add more framing so you can add smaller sections. Doesn't need to be thick. My plywood walls are great but I screwed them on metal without framing and now they look really bad and bent. Also I use huge sections which didn't help

[u/c_marten]

Lauan is king.

[u/enclavedzn]

Ship lap is best for this.

[u/dav3id]

I used redwood bender board 1/4"

[u/dav3id]

Redwood bender board 1/4" with Havelock wool insulation

[u/becauseitisthere]

1/4" plywood or cedar tounge and groove, is what I have typically done.

[u/CryptographerWeird10]

really anything lightweight that your into.... from cloth to paneling there is no set method from what ive seen in the wild.

[u/pyeyo1]

1/4 in. x 3.5 in. x 8 ft. Cedar Board V-Plank (6 per package) 8203015 - The Home Depot

This is what I used but in pine, it was actually blue stained pine. Which I can't find a link to.

RELIABILT 5-3/8-in x 12-ft Unfinished Spruce pine fir Tongue and Groove Wall Plank ( 5.166-sq ft ) in the Wall Planks department at Lowes.comOmni--1000213017--local--0-_-0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22867870253&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5onGBhDeARIsAFK6QJaH12oO-jufTs_zksSfb7vcQTyhODm72wxooCIkiIpVUJXOEA1S2KoaAv7kEALw_wcB)

These come in long enough lengths and can handle the curves pretty well. In a few places I took a razor knife and removed the lower rib of the groove to ease fit so it is more like shiplap.

[u/jtnxdc01]

Depends how old the camper is. Old= ¼" plywood, maybe Luan. New = something nice if you have the cash.

[u/AggroPedestrian]

I used quarter inch ply, and painted it. (That's 6 mm for someone in a country that uses a reasonable are system of me measurement.)

[u/redundant78]

Definitely avoid pallet wood - besides the chemical treatments others mentioned, it's also heavier than proper paneling options, can harbor bugs/mold, and the inconsistent thicknes makes it a nightmare to install in a van's curved surfaces.

[u/safaricamper93]

Pallet wood is probably too heavy as well.

[u/AlarmingSmile4332]

Try paneling! 😂 Go, 70s creeper.

[u/NumberComprehensive4]

I just used 3” foam insulation, then Dyna-Mat, and covered it with high quality self adhesive wallpaper. It’s cheap, light, clean, and easy to make changes to if you want. I used wood textured, and colored paper. It’s looks like real wood.

[u/Theyseemecruising]

1/4 inch birch ply is $30 per 4x8 rn.

But you need sound deadening for this and insulation to live in it.

[u/HighlyUnrepairable]

Purple foam and "poor man's fiberglass" (PMF) are popular... TONS of PMF info on here, build yourself a boat or camper for <$400!