Insulation in Cabinets?

[LadyFitz...]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Thanks, that's good info! I'm still wondering though if this might be the best thing to insulate the back wall (next to the outside RV wall) of inside storage cabinets. I don't want to use the thick foam insulation.

Only if you don't mind the greatly reduced R-value and greatly increased cost. You can get thinner foam. Foam core is 1/4" foam with card stock on the faces. Even that would be better, less expensive, a bit more durable and easier to install than Reflectex.

[aauummm]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Thanks, that's good info! I'm still wondering though if this might be the best thing to insulate the back wall (next to the outside RV wall) of inside storage cabinets. I don't want to use the thick foam insulation.

If you want R-1 you could go with this 1/4" stuff that's very cheap:
Owens Corning FOAMULAR 1/4 in. x 4 ft. x 50 ft. R-1 Fanfold Insulation Sheathing-10UM - The Home Depot

Or if you can spare a 1/2" this will give you R 3.3 (Very cheap):
Super TUFF-R 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-3.3 Foam Insulation-268413 - The Home Depot

[336muffin]

All I know is there is a 9degree difference in two overhead cabinets the next day with Reflectix and one without. This is real world numbers not claims on a website. This is good enough for me.

[redhooker]

Has anyone insulated the cavity behind a slide out refrigerator? Ours heats up the 2 adjacent cabinets pretty noticeably but I was wondering if the foam board would be safe in there. Right now it is just unfinished wood so I assume it doesn't get severely hot. I have looked at firewall insulation from JC Whitney but I am afraid it may not provide much R value.

[reubenray]

Originally Posted by 336muffin

All I know is there is a 9degree difference in two overhead cabinets the next day with Reflectix and one without. This is real world numbers not claims on a website. This is good enough for me.

I will look at this and the hardboard today to decide.

We will be parked for a while and the afternoon sun is hot on the driver's side. This is why we moved the food to the other (morning sun) side plus it has the awning to shade it some to. I don't think the thickness will affect my storage space much being the cabinets are not packed tight. Our dishes are being heat sterilized.

Now if I could find something for the roof?

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by 336muffin

All I know is there is a 9degree difference in two overhead cabinets the next day with Reflectix and one without. This is real world numbers not claims on a website. This is good enough for me.

Muffin, I'm glad you posted this! I was planning to do the same test!

I think it's the reflectivity of the Reflectix more than the R-value!

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by redhooker

Has anyone insulated the cavity behind a slide out refrigerator? Ours heats up the 2 adjacent cabinets pretty noticeably but I was wondering if the foam board would be safe in there. Right now it is just unfinished wood so I assume it doesn't get severely hot. I have looked at firewall insulation from JC Whitney but I am afraid it may not provide much R value.

When we replaced the cooling unit on the Norcold 1200 I insulated the entire cabinet with Reflectix before putting the fridge back in!

[336muffin]

We also put Reflectix in the skylight over the shower with two tension rods from Walmart, huge difference!

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by 336muffin

We also put Reflectix in the skylight over the shower with two tension rods from Walmart, huge difference!

Tell me about those tension rods. I put the Reflectix in the skylight also and put some duct tape on the bottom edge to hold it. I'm sure the rods would be better. What are they made for and where are they in Wal-Mart?

[reubenray]

I bought two rolls of the 16" wide reflectix and some chrome colored thumb tacks. This size will fit most of my cabinets without much cutting.

[aauummm]

I just bought 2 sheets of 1/2" x 4' x 8' RMax R-Matte from Home Depot. R value of 3.2 and faced on one side with aluminum and the other side faced with reflective reinforced aluminum. So it's got both reflective advantages and insulating advantages. It's polyiso not polystyrene (the white crumbly stuff).

The last picture is of a pantry cabinet that has the back and top done. No fasteners used, it fits tight (did it about a 1/2 hour ago). Rmax R-Matte Plus-3 - 1/2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-3.2 Polyiso Rigid Foam Insulation Board-754404 - The Home Depot

[336muffin]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Tell me about those tension rods. I put the Reflectix in the skylight also and put some duct tape on the bottom edge to hold it. I'm sure the rods would be better. What are they made for and where are they in Wal-Mart?

They are the spring/loaded curtain rods. Camping World sells these at a jacked up price to keep things from moving around in a camper while moving. We used two white ones in a cross pattern. Easy to store and repurpose.

[reubenray]

One thing that pushed me to get the reflectix product was being the packages was smaller and I could get them in our car easier. I would have to cut the hardboard in several pieces to get it to fit.

Do y'all put this on the ceiling and the wall in the cabinets?

[336muffin]

Yes I did that's the reason I bought the 4ft x 25ft rolls.