Carpet/Wool Ceiling cover?

[bobfoe95]

Hello all,

I am currently in the planning stages for a 5 window short bus. I have most of the details I want ironed out except the ceiling material. I know I will see cold weather in the bus so I am planning accordingly. Something I do not really like is the look of tongue and groove ceilings in the bus. I think that a cloth ceiling (whether that is wool or carpet) would be much more appealing. I think that the wool could help with winter condensation and should have a higher r-value than wood. Also it will not be so hard if I hit my head on the ceiling!

What are the thoughts on this? I have hardly seen anybody use anything different than wood so I am sure a reason must exist for this. I know the ceiling would collect moisture but my thoughts were that a carpet pad would prevent mold and wool would wick moisture.

My thoughts for the ceiling layers were paint, rigid insulation, wood framing, vapor barrier, carpet pad, then grey military surplus blankets screwed into the wood framing using brass hardware.

Thanks!

[jctrembly]

Skip the vapor barrier, the steel does that, always give moisture a place to go otherwise you'll have mold, rot and who knows what.

I haven't converted yet but I'm leaning toward a cloth/felt backed celling for noise abatement.

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[EastCoastCB]

My buddy's hippie bus has carpet glued to the metal ceilings. Its really gross.

[jctrembly]

I wouldn't glue to metal, due to condensation that could be a little funky.

I'm thinking of prep/painting metal, using strips (not sure yet of the exact detail) to make a thermal break and top that with Ultra Ply. Then either glue or attach a felt/fabric type headliner that can be cleaned if needed. Some charter buses use a felt, I just haven't looked into the exact details on that part yet.

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[EastCoastCB]

Ah, that's much more sensible.

[PNW_Steve]

I did a step van conversion several tears ago. I used contact cement to glue low nap commercial carpet to pieces of 1/4" plywood that were cut to fit then screwed the carpeted pieces in place.

It looked good and really quieted the interior.

I had planned on doing the same in my Bluebird then I saw some of the folks here who have used T & G pine on the ceiling and now I am undecided....

[Iceni John]

Another option is to forego fabric altogether and choose a semi-rigid plastic sheet. It will not absorb moisture, it can be easily cleaned, and if you get the color you want it won't even need to be painted. I'm presently paneling my inside walls with Celtek, a 3mm-thick (about 1/8") closed-cell dense PVC foamboard with a smooth surface. I'm using 3/8" plywood behind it for rigidity on the side walls, but it will bend nicely on a ceiling. I plan on using it there with 1/4" closed-cell insulation under it for slight insulation and to smooth over the rivets.

Another idea I originally had was to use 1/4"-thick cork sheet for the ceiling, painted white. It's available in rolls 36" or 48" wide, as long as you need, and it would give some slight insulation and noise reduction. However, Celtek foamboard will probably be better for my needs.

Whatever I do, I do not want the usual RV look of wood and carpet everywhere - I'm aiming for a simple clean Scandinavian-meets-Bauhaus minimalist look, and whatever I use must be easy to clean and above all completely practical. I want a wipe-clean maintenance-free non-absorbant surface material that never needs painting, yet at the same time if it gets damaged it won't be difficult to replace individual pieces of it if needed.

John

[bobfoe95]

Thank you all for the reply's. I definitely agree that gluing would be a horrible idea. My idea was to use screws to attach the fabric to a wooden frame. I was thinking about going with something such as this- https://www.majorsurplus.com/deluxe-...g-blanket.html. I suppose felt would work as well. What would you all think about a carpet pad under it to help keep moisture and mold at bay?

[bobfoe95]

I actually think this material could be best to go with. 35% Wool Felt 36" W. | Jo-Ann

[PNW_Steve]

Celtec: Celtec ® -CELTEC Expanded PVC Sheet -Order Online

Interesting stuff. I bit spendy though. Have you found it for much less than $85-$90 a sheet?

Another notable material is Ozite. I used that on my last bus and it was good but the in$taller made mistakes in the install that kind of put me off.

[roach711]

I glued up poly-iso isulation sheets then glued indoor/outdoor carpeting to that. It does cut down the interior noise level quite a bit.

[Iceni John]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Celtec: Celtec ® -CELTEC Expanded PVC Sheet -Order Online

Interesting stuff. I bit spendy though. Have you found it for much less than $85-$90 a sheet?

Another notable material is Ozite. I used that on my last bus and it was good but the in$taller made mistakes in the install that kind of put me off.

Yes, it's not the cheapest way to cover walls and ceilings, but I paid less than that. For me, not having to ever paint it is worth something. (I hate painting!)

John