Roof insulation?
 

I'm redoing the inside of my roof and was wondering if I should put insulation (or Styrofoam) inside the ribs mainly to make it a little more quite. Or should it be left empty. Also, I have the original panels that go across the roof and I'm thinking about replacing them. Would something like luan panel work or what do you suggest?
Thanks for the help,
Joe

Re: Roof insulation?
 

Ill take some pictures of what I am currently doing to my roof -

But on the original panels...I would like a crack at them if you decide to part ways with them!

Re: Roof insulation?
 

Okay Joe - of course there are a bunch of ways to do this, but this is what I'm doing.
I lined the roof skin with the butyl rubber foil backed sound deadener/semi heat barrier sheets. Most people know of Dynamat, Fat Mat, etc... I went with an all black foil brand called Nioco, whose foil is a little thicker than what those others use. I used all black thinking I would leave it uncovered until I found headliner material. This really helped quiet things down a lot!, but a little radiant heat was still coming through. Then a buddy of mine who has a plane turned me on to Aircraft Spruce and they specialize in all things aviation. They have several different radiant barrier products. I bought a bunch of the 12x24 sheets of their Aluminized Silica w/an adhesive backing Heat Barrier. Supposed to be good up to 2000F!
It took about 4 1/2 12x24 sheets for one section and I just started putting it in, so only one section is in. I also need to tape up the gaps. This combo should knock down 90+% of the radiant heat that used to come in. At least that's what I'm hoping!

Re: Roof insulation?
 

My Suburban had what I think (could be wrong) was the original paper backed stryofoam under the headliner. I scraped the paper off and applied Reflectix bubble foil insulation (from Lowes) with heavy duty spray glue. I also installed extra dome lights and reinstalled the OE headliner which was in good condition.

Re: Roof insulation?
 

Looks good. I'm also planning on adding dome lights to mine too. Probably 3, where's a good place to get them at?

Re: Roof insulation?
 

I did a combination of the previously mentioned insulation styles. I glued squares of Bquiet to the roof with contact cement (gel form) to help quiet things down. Then I glued the foil backed bubble wrap over every the entire roof. And after that I went the FRP route for the headliner. I don't know if Luan panel is flexible enough to install in the front section. Maybe with steaming, but in order to get things to fit well I had to test fit every piece at least 3 times most 5-6 times. None of the pieces of the stock headliner are square. The headliner tapers down as you move toward the front. Starting on page ten of my WMB thread below there are posts scattered over several pages covering my headliner adventure. One note after I was done I came to the realization that while I started with the rear panel and worked forward I believe the factory installed the front panel first. Doing it that way make make it easier to use a thicker material like Luan. The biggest issue is the factory plastic bows breaking as there are no replacements available anywhere. I don't believe any material thicker than the factory headliner material could be installed with the factory bows. My Burban had the factory panels covered with cloth and then bows made out of some aluminum trim pieces (not sure what they came off of. 70's pickup or van I would guess) that were bent, trimmed to fit, and screwed dowm. I got lucky and found a set of usable factory bows in a wrecking yard, other wise I would have reused the modified trim pieces.
We have been having high 90 to 100 degree temperatures here the last two weeks and I have been surprised how cool the Burban has been. I'm sure having a white roof has contributed, but driving home after work with no AC has not been uncomfortable.
Good luck it is a challenging job (at least for me it was).
PS check out hartrods Superburban thread he has some good information on headliners and lighting.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387

Re: Roof insulation?
 

GMC Paul's carries those dome lights... Not very expensive either.

Don't forget - if you do decide not to use your OE headliner pieces (and they are serviceable pending pictures) I'd like a shot and taking them off your hands!

Re: Roof insulation?
 

Copy that. If I don't use them, you will be the first one I'll contact.

Re: Roof insulation?
 

Thanks, Bro...

Re: Roof insulation?
 

It's not the roof, but we all know these ol' Burbs have about 5 or 600sq feet of glass which means a lot of radiant heat gets in that way too. I had a tint shop install some Nano-Ceramic tint to all the glass. "Huper Optik 70%" - the higher the number the more clear the tint is. Huper Optik is not cheap, but after a lot of research it seemed to always rate the best for UV, IR, heat reduction and durability and there is no color dye in this tint. And I can say it has already made a huge difference in my Burb - A Uuge difference!
Worth thinking about.

Re: Roof insulation?
 

I'm planning on spraying Lizard Skin on the floors and roof of my burb. I'm also laying down some foil roll on the bottom, considering on top as well. I live in Texas, it's been 100 F+, high last week of 109. Need all the help I can get. I plan on using the factory bows as spots to mount dome lights, when I get that far, but I was also thinking of rope lights led strips tucked in the bows for a sleeker look. I'm planning on spraying my Lizard Skin within a month or two, once I finish some rust repair.

Re: Roof insulation?
 

another option... sound deadener and thermal barrier all in one... not cheap considering the size of the roof...

https://www.restomodair.com/shopprod...mal-insulator/

https://www.restomodair.com/wp-conte...NE-DIAGRAM.jpg

Re: Roof insulation?
 

I would also recommend going with a white roof. The difference in temperatures between my all blue Blazer and my white roofed Burban when parked in the sun is very noticeable ,even if the windows are down