What Are RV Interior Walls Made Of?

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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton

What Are RV Interior Walls Made Of?

RV interior walls play a critical role in ensuring your recreational vehicle’s comfort, insulation, and aesthetics. So, what are RV interior walls made of? The construction material for these walls varies depending on the model and make of the RV.

• The majority of RV walls are made from lightweight plywood called luan.
• Some RVs use Azdel, a fiberglass-plastic blend, for walls.
• Higher-end RVs may feature natural wood or veneer walls.
• Metal or aluminum may be used, especially in vintage RVs.
• Fiberglass is another common material for RV walls.
• Luxury RVs like Newmar may feature natural hardwood panels.

RVs are a great option to provide recreational living. These homes on the wheels should act like a haven to enjoy nature closely on recreational trips.

A perfect RV should act like a cozy and comfortable home while on a leisurely interstate self-drive vacation with your family. At least, it is supposed to give a vibe of a real house.

Do you strongly feel the same thing?

Since you should always look for comfort on the move, I will discuss with you the different materials you can choose for your RV interior walls.

Different Kinds of Materials that are Used to build RV Interior Walls

If you have visited an RV showroom, you would have come across many RVs that lack brightness and are dull. Moreover, they look metallic, uninteresting, and cold.

It’s a turn-off already. This is why I always imagine replacing it with other materials, which gives the feeling of warmth and coziness.

Furthermore, it will make the time spent inside the portable home comfortable.

As I thought of sprucing the RV with different materials, I wondered, “What are RV interior walls made of?”

If you are wondering about the same, you don’t have to go anywhere, as I have listed everything you may want to learn on the subject.

1. Composite Plywood

Several people do not consider wood a suitable material and think it is not durable enough. Moreover, they feel it is easily susceptible to water damage; it will rot and deform quickly.

However, the problem is not with the composite plywood. It depends on how well you use the wood to construct the RV.

Appropriate RV construction will not allow moisture to get into the wooden frames. Thus, it will prevent causing various nightmarish problems.

The interior walls, using plywood, are made by compressing various woods together. This squashing of timber creates a large wooden sheet that you can cut into different sizes.

For the innermost layers, mainly, inexpensive plywood is used. A wood veneer, a wood facade, is applied on top of the wooden sheet’s cutouts.

Then, various pieces of plywood are glued over one another. While sticking, make sure their grains run opposite to one another. This method adds flexibility, adaptability, and strength to the composite plywood.

Merits

• Sturdy construction
• Long-lasting material – it will not break or tear easily
• It delivers a cozy and natural vibe – these wood grains make one feel comfortable and warm compared to metal or plastics, giving the feeling of coldness.
• Easy to repair
• Allows flexibility

Demerits

• Susceptible to water damage – if there’s a leakage or hole in the camper’s roof, the moisture will eventually penetrate your interior walls. When the walls get wet, they swell up. The expansion of the walls will loosen and deteriorate the sticky holding of wood veneers.
• Difficult to maintain cleanliness
• This material is heavier.
• Prone to rotting and mold – various organisms such as fungi develop when wood gets slightly wet. Ensure that plywood does not get wet; however, if the wood does, clean it immediately.

2. Vinyl

Vinyl has recently become the most sought-after material for walls and flooring. It is a synthetic artificial material, and it does not exist naturally.

Vinyl is a plastic material, but unlike other plastics, it is easily reusable. It is an environment-friendly material.

Besides its recyclable property, numerous other features make this plastic eco-friendly. It helps preserve environmental resources because 57% of this material uses common salt, a replenishable resource.

Moreover, vinyl comprises 43% of crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Thus, it makes this material environmentally safe.

Vinyl is becoming popular because it is resistant to moisture and humidity; it is robust, has a good life span, and is economical. Also, it is available in a broad array of designs and colors, both solid and transparent.

Furthermore, this material is very straightforward to install and use. Hence, it makes vinyl significantly accessible to those people who love to do DIYs.

Merits

• Sturdy material
• Durable plastic
• Can easily resist humidity and moisture
• Have a reasonable price – the budget-friendly cost has made it easier to purchase this plastic in bulk. The vinyl installation on the interior walls is done at a significantly lower price than plywood.
• It is a manipulative and shapeable plastic – it does not require extravagant equipment to cut. A sharp knife will do the job correctly. Several vinyl sheets have sticky backs, so peel and paste the adhesive side on the wall.

Demerits

• It can become brittle and weak with age.
• It can easily crack as it ages – this material cannot last several years. Usually, between two years, the boundaries of this plastic will start to crack or break. However, the plus point is that this plastic is affordable and easily replaceable.

3. Medium-Density Fiberboard Or MDF

Medium-density fiberboard is an engineered wood product, mostly known by its acronym MDF. MDF synthesized from wood fibers is mixed with resin and wax.

Compared to plywood, medium-density fiberboard does not have any warping, grains, or knots. Also, it has a very smooth surface.

MDF utilizes shavings and sawdust. These little pieces of wood are the by-product of industrial milling.

The following process is to dehydrate these little pieces of wood. These wood fibers are combined with resin and wax as they are dehydrated. Once mixed properly, these fibers are made into panels.

These panels are then compressed under high pressure and heat to make them rigid. Moreover, significant industrial machines sand down the boards to give them a silky and smooth finish. Then, they cut boards according to fixed dimensions.

Furthermore, a medium-density fiberboard is an inexpensive material. It is a perfect choice to use instead of composite plywood.

However, this material does not have a longer life span. For the interior of the RV, apply glue on MDF and then stick the wood veneer on both sides.

This will result in a wooden board being cut into various sizes and shapes.

Merits

• It is economical – it is easy to buy many planks of MDF at a small price.
• Medium-density fiberboard accepts paints well.
• It is dense but a light material – choosing this as an interior wall material will not create a problem, especially for someone who doesn’t like to put more weight on their RV.
• It is a user-friendly material.
• MDF is a welcoming base for wood veneer

Demerits

• It has a short life span and deteriorates in a year. When the glue that holds the sawdust in the medium-density fiberboard begins to decay, the whole thing falls apart rapidly.
• It is slightly heavier than composite plywood.
• Exposure to moisture can cause MDF to lose strength and planks to swell. Also, it can break when exposed to a small amount of water.
• Working with medium-density fiberboards creates a lot of powdery dust.

Why Are Inside Walls Essential?

Since I have already explained what RV interior walls are made of, the following essential thing to consider is the need for interior walls.

Here are a few motives to have interior walls in the RV.

• Delivers Proper Insulation

The inside walls of the RV provide much-needed insulation to keep the camper cold on hot summer days. Moreover, it traps heat during cold winter days.

Hence, it is not feasible to only depend on RV exterior panels because they will not protect from harsh and extreme temperatures.

• Improves the Desirability

I know that you will go for an RV that makes you feel as close to your home as possible because you do not want to feel stuck in a shipping container.

Therefore, using different types of wall paneling in the RV’s interior provides a welcoming and warm feeling.

• Makes a Camper Soundproof

On a personal note, I would want to keep my private conservations private as much as possible. Therefore, the most crucial role of an interior wall is to soundproof RVs.

Moreover, the interior walls also prevent noise from public places or parks. You are creating a soundproof camper that will lessen the noise.

What Type of Insulation is in RV Walls?

The primary insulation types used in RV walls are fiberglass and foam. Each offers unique benefits and boasts different R-values, a measure of thermal resistance. Fiberglass insulation, the most common type, is usually found in batts or rolls.

It is cost-effective and easy to install but susceptible to moisture damage. Foam insulation, on the other hand, offers high R-values and excellent resistance to moisture and air infiltration.

It is available in several varieties, including expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polyurethane foam.

Final Thoughts

The majority of standard RVs are constructed with interior walls made from a type of lightweight plywood called luan. This material is favored for its durability and light, which aids in maintaining the overall balance and fuel efficiency.

Some RV models employ Azdel, a blend of fiberglass and plastic, as a wall material due to its resistance to water damage and insulation properties.

For those seeking a more luxurious feel, high-end RVs may incorporate natural wood or veneer walls, providing a touch of elegance and a homier ambiance.

Vintage RVs, on the other hand, often feature metal or aluminum walls, reflecting their period design. Yet another common material used in the construction of RV walls is fiberglass, known for its strength and lightweight properties.

In the case of luxury RV brands like Newmar, one might find interior walls featuring natural hardwood panels, adding a layer of sophistication.

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