The boom in Staycations, especially camping and caravanning has led to a burgeoning of people wanting to "do things my way"; converting a multitude of vehicles from SUVs and Estate Cars to Works Vans, Mini Busses and even Vintage Fire Engines into Mobile Holiday Homes.
Choosing the right wall and ceiling finish can make or break the comfort, durability, and look of your space. uPVC cladding is a lightweight, waterproof alternative to plywood or MDF for interior walls and ceilings.
Kids and Labradors, or solo adventurers, clambering out of the storm, or covered in sand and vegetation are no longer an issue with uPVC panels that won’t absorb moisture or swell. It can be wiped down easily and needs zero maintenance, sanding or repainting, if installed properly using our Premier HT adhesives and Silicones.
As a bonus uPVC panels are significantly lighter than wood, helping to keep payload and fuel use down. Despite being impact-resistant and long-lasting.
Things to Consider Before Installing
Adhesion and Fixing: Plastic doesn’t hold screws well, so panels should be fixed with bonded with our flexible, high-strength adhesive. Some builders combine the adhesive with plastic rivets for extra security. With finishing touches such as colour matching panel joining profiles / edges, or colour matched silicone for those curve areas.
Insulation: You can also install insulation (like closed-cell foam or sheep’s wool) behind the panels to reduce condensation and heat loss.
Aesthetics and Feel: While white uPVC gives a clean, modern look, some people prefer Warmer shades. Our range includes 35 different colours from outdoorsy Olive and Forest greens to the bold and colourful Sunflower and Apricot to match or contrast with your vehicles colour scheme.
Fire Safety: All panels from Direct Cladding have a flame-retardant rating for vehicle interiors. Datasheets and Fire Ratings available on each product page. (Avoid cheap plastics that may warp or release fumes under heat.)
Real-World Tips from Van Builders
DIY converters often use uPVC in bathrooms, ceilings, or splash zones but with a choice of Gloss and Satin finishes and the light and shade moods of uPVC cladding changing with the light, much more than light sucking wood, textiles or papers your refurbished or converted camper interior can become a very evocative addition to your mobile living space.
Final Thoughts
uPVC cladding is an excellent choice for van interiors if you want a lightweight, waterproof, and low-maintenance finish. Give your van a sleek, professional
