What Are RV Interior Walls Made Of? Get The Details

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An RV is like a second home to every camper. If you are planning to buy an RV, it should be an informed decision since you will be practically living in this ‘home on wheels’. What are RV interior walls made of? It’s necessary to know because different materials have their own advantages and downsides.

Also, for the seasoned RV users, knowledge about RV interior walls will help during remodeling. Check out this elaborate guide to know different types of interior walls and how one material has the edge over another.

Importance of Choosing the Right RV Interior Wall Material

Since an RV is your home away from home, your quality of life will be affected by the quality of this camper. For this reason, every RV user should know what are RV interior walls made of.

Choosing the right type is important because the interior walls are responsible for various things.

Providing the Right Environment

If you think that the RV exteriors alone can protect you in all seasons, you are wrong. It is the interior walls that provide the proper insulation. This much-needed insulation will keep the RV interior cooler in summer days and trap the heat in winter days. A simple wooden or metal framework will not protect you in extreme weather.

Protection against Noise

It’s the interior walls that buffer the external and internal sounds. A soundproof interior wall will provide privacy and quietness. When parked in a public park, you do not want to get disturbed by the external noises.

Similarly, you do not want others to know what is going inside the RV. To ensure this two-way soundproof facility, pay close attention to what are RV interior walls made of.

rv interior wall material
The right type of wall can buffer the internal and external noises.

Creating an Aesthetic Surrounding

RV interior aesthetics play a vital part in setting up your mood for a journey. The more the camper feels like your home, the less you will miss the home you have left behind. Choose wall paneling that gives you a sense of living inside a home, not a claustrophobic metal box.

What Are RV Interior Walls Made of?

There are various types of RV interior walls. You can choose from any of these following options. Learn what they are and their unique pros and cons.

1. Plywood

For RV walls, manufacturers use a specific type of plywood named Composite Plywood. Composite plywood consists of various wood types and comes in the form of a large sheet.

To provide maximum strength to the wall, manufacturers glue the wood panels one on top of another. The inner layer of a plywood RV wall consists of cheap wood, while wood veneer forms the external part.

rv interior walls
Plywood creates a cozy, homely feeling.

Composite plywood panels have a strong structure. It is not easy to rip, tear, or puncture them. Also, these walls give off a homely feeling. Because of being made of wood panels, living in a camper made of plywood walls will keep your mind peaceful. This warmth will be missing from RV made of plastic or metal walls.

Water can damage this type of RV wall, which can turn into a big headache. The water can get inside the plywood walls through a leak on the roof. Then, the water will deteriorate the adhesive, making the veneers to come loose.

Following the water damage will come mold, mildew, and other water-related problems. The plywood panels coming in contact with water means a possible growth of fungi on that wall.

Take maximum protective measures to keep your RV wall dry. Even if it gets wet, wipe it instantly with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. If possible, apply mild heat to that place by using a blow dryer.

Pros

  • Durable and flexible
  • Give a natural feeling

Cons

  • Susceptible to water damage
  • Prone to fungi growth

2. Vinyl

Recently, there is a rise in the popularity of vinyl–made walls and flooring for RV. The mains reasons are its budget-friendly price and availability in a range of designs and colors.

At the same time, vinyl interior walls are easy to install, which makes it more popular among the campers who prefer doing DIY.

rv interior wall material
Vinyl suits both flooring and walls.

Vinyl comes at a 50% cheaper rate than real plywood. You can save even more money by buying in a bulk quantity. It’s also possible to save the costs of hiring a professional or service because vinyl sheets are easy to cut and install. You will need only some basic tools for the installation. Some vinyl sheets even come with adhesive on the backside, so you can stick on walls just peeling its plastic cover.

You will need only some basic tools for the installation. Some vinyl sheets even come with adhesive on the backside, so you can stick on walls just peeling its plastic cover.

The downside of vinyl is that it gets brittle with time. While looking for a long-lasting material, vinyl is not a dependable element. Vinyl interior wall edges may develop cracks after two years. However, you can replace it anytime because of its affordable price.

Pros

  • Cost-Effective
  • Best for DIY Lovers

Cons

  • Get Brittle with Time

3. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Medium Density Fiberboard is a popular alternative to plywood. This option is also cost-effective but these boards won’t provide long-term service. MDF is the wood board that you can cut seamlessly into any shape and size. The main ingredients of MDF are glued sawdust put between multiple sheets of wood veneer.

This material is more inexpensive than plywood panels. In fact, with the price of a good quality plywood board, you can get multiple MDF sheets. Also, this is a lightweight material that does not add extra load to the gross weight of the camper.

what are rv interior walls made of
MDF is pocket-friendly and lightweight.

A short lifespan is the main disadvantage of MDF boards. Within a year or so, they will begin to fall apart as soon as the sawdust adhesive withers.

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Short-living

Conclusion

Now you know What Are RV Interior Walls Made Of. There is no way to get confused since the options are limited and you know the pros and cons of each material. Choose the one that suits your budget, RV size, and a few more personal choices.

About Peter Wade

Peter Wade is a co-ordinator and writer at www.RVTalk.net. His hobbies are coffee, RV camping and photography. He now enjoys exploring the U.S. by RV with his two dogs. After obtaining a MA degree in Public Relations and Journalism, he had 8 years of experience working for the R&D Department of Outdoorsy. Peter provides a unique look and insightful knowledge about the RV lifestyle, and fills his blog with everything from RV camping guides to reviews about necessary RV accessories. If you are an RV enthusiast and want to get the most-updated trends of the RV industry, Peter’s articles are the must-visit contents.

1 thought on “What Are RV Interior Walls Made Of? Get The Details”

  1. If you want to replace your motohome interior wall with something that suits your taste, the first thing you need to know is what RV interior wall is made of? Typically, manufacturers will use materials such as: Composite Plywood-consisting of many ultra-thin pieces of wood glued together to form a thick and large sheet; Medium-density fiber-optic panels-using only two wood veneer panels. or Vinyl-there are synthetic compounds, mainly plastic for the Interior Walls.

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