Hi, I am looking to build a new camping interior and was hoping you guys might be able to suggest the best material to use for the job. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Welcome to TLB. Do you plan to make a a carcass and then clad it or use panels that are fixed together with screws/brackets? If you are using a carcass then you could use 6mm ply or MDF. If you planning on just fixing panels together then you will probably want to use 12mm stock, either MDF or ply. You could use 18mm but it wil be very heavy.
Hi HorTs I was thinking more along the lines of panels really. I have seen furniture in a couple of modern motor homes and they seam to be made with a dense board veneer which is only around 8mm thick. It seems to be good quality stuff and better quality than, for example, IKEA veneer. Our existing furniture was made with light weight ply and is falling to bits. I need durability. :-D
When I made my interior i used 15mm lightweight Ply as, for me, i find it easier to work with and is a lot stronger. Thats just my preference, but cost is another thing to take into consideration. What sort of finish/veneer are you after?
Mine is made with panels - 18mm MDF because it was cheap (but heavy). Painted all round with melamine paint; no issues with damp/moisture.
I would like a wood grain effect finish and light in colour. My first thought was MDF but It wouldn't have the grain effect I am after. I have thought about and tried looking for wood panelling but am finding it hard to source.
I used 12mm mdf, (because it was free), and I just primered each board twice and then put a kitchen / bathroom paint on the top to avoid mositure soaking in. I did use 18mm mdf for the doors so I could put on a kitchen hinge. For the worktop I painted it in exterior door enamel to (a) make it touch against marking (b) it is wipe clean and water can't easily penetrate it.
Thanks everyone. I have managed to find a local timber merchant who supplies 12mm furniture grade birch ply. Will see how it looks and decide from there.
Have made a start on the interior. Have completed the buddy seat and half finished the combi unit. Went for 12mm birch ply in the end. Have recessed the joints and given it 5 coats of varnish. I decided to leave the wood natural and not stain it. Am dead chuffed with the result. Will post a picky when I can work out how to do it. :-D
Finally managed to get some photos of the buddy seat up. Considering Im not a carpenter I'm pretty please with how its turned out. Have almost completed the combi unit for the sink, hob and fridge.
See your face in that, shame you'll be puttin a cushion on it, something to do your hair in! Looks great, looking forward to more pics!
