03/01/2025
Interior fittings with multiplex panels: What are the key considerations when choosing the material?
When you start fitting out the interior of your campervan, you’ll be faced with a choice: which panel material should you use for the furniture, the ceiling panelling and the floor? Your decision will have a major impact on:
- the total weight of your interior fit-out
- the durability and load-bearing capacity of your furniture
- the stability of the interior fit-out
- the amount of manpower you’ll need to put into the build
- of course, how comfortable you’ll feel in your campervan later on
Save weight with lightweight multiplex panels
Lightweight panels such as Queenply help you to save weight. Ultimately, this also reduces fuel consumption, saving you money and helping the environment. And because lightweight panels are easier to handle, they can be removed with less effort.
- 🪶 up to 50 per cent lighter than conventional birch plywood
- 🪶 30 per cent lighter than poplar plywood
Core layers in lightweight panels for van conversions? 11 layers with a thickness of 15 mm, for example
As a general rule, the more core layers a multiplex panel has, the more stable it is. Stability is a crucial factor in camper conversions. After all, it needs to hold up. If a lightweight panel has more core layers than is typically the case, this guarantees you:
- your furniture will be more stable
- screws and hardware will be more securely fastened and won’t come loose as easily
- You’ll be able to drive off-road with your camper conversion
So it’s worth double-checking. We recommend the following:
- 4 mm panel thickness – 5 core layers
- 9 mm panel thickness – 7 core layers
- 12 mm panel thickness – 9 core layers
- 15 mm panel thickness – 11 core layers
- 18 mm panel thickness – 13 core layers
- 22 mm panel thickness – 15 core layers
The best part: Despite having more middle layers, lightweight panels like Queenply are still significantly lighter than conventional plywood. And thanks to their stability, you can use them to build furniture that will last a long time.
What are multiplex panels with many core layers suitable for?
Lightweight panels with a greater number of core layers (12 mm – 15 mm) are perfect for:
- building kitchen cabinetry
- building bathroom cabinets
- building shelves for storage
Panels in 18 mm or 22 mm thickness are perfect for:
- the floor of a van
- bed construction 😉
What are lightweight panels with fewer core layers suitable for?
Lightweight panels with fewer core layers (4 mm thick, for example) are really well-suited as:
- wall paneling in a van
- as ceiling paneling
These panels are usually coated or veneered on only one side, which helps you save even more weight during the conversion. Plus, you can use it to make your camper really cozy.
How important is it to have both: waterproof and heat-resistant glue?
You might not notice it at first glance, but this is a crucial difference in quality when it comes to lightweight panels: the method used to bond the core panel to the surface of your choice. Especially when it comes to van conversions, this often determines whether the experience is enjoyable or frustrating. The panels should
- be glued with a waterproof adhesive
- be glued with a heat-resistant adhesive up to 135 degrees Celsius
After all, how often does moisture build up in a van? Whether it’s due to changes in the weather, showering in the vehicle or a leak? And it gets really warm inside the vehicle very quickly. Especially in summer, when you’re travelling a lot, or in winter, when the auxiliary heater blows warm air from the vent onto the furniture.
Important note:
- Waterproof-glued panels do not swell as quickly
- If the HPL coating is bonded to the core panel with a waterproof adhesive, you can use it without any problems to build a wet room or shower.
- Surfaces glued to the core panel using heat-resistant adhesive do not peel away from the core panel or form unsightly blisters on the surface when exposed to high temperatures inside the vehicle.
That's why:
- Lightweight panels with an HPL coating should always be bonded with PUR adhesive!
- Lightweight panels with real wood veneer should always be glued using Kaurit!
PUR bonding and Kaurit bonding are waterproof. White glue, which is often used, is not 100 per cent waterproof.
PUR adhesive and Kaurit are heat-resistant adhesives. PUR adhesive can withstand temperatures of up to 135 degrees Celsius, whilst Kaurit never reactivates. White glue liquefies at temperatures as low as 60–70 degrees Celsius.
👉 Conclusion:
How well the surface is bonded to the lightweight panel is a key factor in ensuring you’ll enjoy your campervan conversion for years to come. The most suitable bonding method is to use PUR adhesive for HPL surfaces bonded to the core panel, and Kaurit for real wood veneers. White glue is not suitable for bonding panels in campervan conversions.
Any further questions? Drop us a line!
