Multi-Layered Flooring System
From the ground up, The Hawk’s Nest is built for comfort and durability. With layers of sound-deadening foam, XPS insulation, structural plywood, heated flooring, and luxury vinyl plank—this floor is warm, quiet, rugged, and ready for real life on the road.
The Hawk’s Nest has a five layer floor, plus a heated element that heats the aisle way right down the middle. This will be our most insulated floor yet, while still allowing 6′ 1″ head / standing room.
A clean floor
We start with a very clean floor, making sure there is no dirt. Any scratches are lightly sanded and prepped with a rust protection paint.
High-Density Foam Subfloor (BedRug Layer)
We started with a BedRug foam layer—an industrial-grade, closed-cell material designed for cargo vans. It adds thermal insulation, acts as a sound barrier, and provides a cushioned base that smooths out the factory ridges in the floor. This means a quieter, warmer, and more comfortable living space from the ground up.
½” XPS Foam Board Insulation
On top of the BedRug, we added a ½” layer of extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation. This rigid foam board delivers high R-value performance in a thin profile, helping to retain heat in cold climates and block radiant heat in the summer. It’s lightweight, moisture-proof, and provides an added layer of thermal protection beneath the finished floor. All seams are taped well.
½” Zip System Plywood Subfloor
The top layer is ½” Zip System plywood—an ultra-durable, structural panel that creates a solid, stable foundation for the entire floor. It’s strong enough to anchor cabinetry, furniture, and flooring, giving us a secure base to build on. The plywood is screwed directly to the van floor using rust-proof hardware, and every point of metal penetration underneath is carefully sealed and painted to prevent corrosion. This ensures both structural integrity and long-term protection against rust.
Pergo Gold® Underlayment
We next add a layer of Pergo Gold® underlayment for moisture control, sound dampening, and thermal insulation. Its built-in vapor barrier offers 10x more moisture protection than standard underlayments, while the ridged design channels moisture away. It also reduces footstep noise and helps maintain comfortable floor temperatures year-round. No water should ever reach the under layment, however all seams are taped, just in case.
QuietWarmth® Heated Floor Strip
For a touch of everyday comfort, we installed a QuietWarmth® heating element beneath the floor. It gently warms the surface to around 100°F using just 150 watts of power—perfect for cold mornings. It heats up in about 15 minutes and runs on a 60-minute timer that we install, so you can’t accidentally leave it on and drain your batteries.
SMARTCORE® Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
The finished layer is SMARTCORE® Ultra luxury vinyl plank flooring—100% waterproof, stylish, and built to withstand daily van life. It’s scratch, scuff, stain, and dent-resistant, making it perfect for the in-and-out wear of the road. Durable enough for all your adventures, refined enough to feel like home.
