Bamboo plywood, Extruded Aluminum (a.k.a. 80/20), High Pressure Laminate (HPL), Eurolight ply, and Blum hardware
At Coastal Mountain Vanworks we build our camper van galleys and all our products with some of the highest quality materials. Some of these materials we have had years of experience using in building residential cabinetry and with that experience comes the realized value in using the best materials and hardware. Combining proper building techniques and proven materials makes for a product that will last a lifetime and live up to the tough environment a camper van doles out. This is the CMV way – built to last.
Bamboo Plywood
Bamboo plywood is not only a visually beautiful product, it is one that is easily worked and sanded, and is also very stable. Stability of a material is an important feature as a van sees a huge temperature and humidity gradient throughout any given day let alone the seasons. Bamboo plywood’s stability comes from its three ply, cross banded construction along with edge-grain thin strips of grass it is made up of (that’s right, bamboo is a grass). Unlike solid wood which expands and contracts from moisture in the air, bamboo ply remains stable due to its glued cross-plys. The nature of this cross banded construction also helps keep the material flat, which in turn makes for better quality construction. Learn more about Plyboo Bamboo.
Extruded Aluminum (aka 80/20)
Extruded aluminum is the backbone to our products and its strength is one of the best reasons to use it. It is a lightweight material that is more durable than wood and will not get affected by moisture and heat. For this reason, it makes a perfect framework that our panels and hardware attach. And, because all the framing parts are bolted together, combined with Loctite, the framework becomes rock solid. Bolt this framing to the walls and floor of your van and you get a cabinet that is now a solid extension of the van – a safer better product.
There are many ways to use the extruded aluminum and many other builders hide the frame like a skeleton. At CMV we choose to expose the framing as a design element, which in turn helps protect the panels and fronts because they are inset (slightly recessed into the framing) and all corners are aluminum extrusion, not wood. Building this way, takes more time, and skill, but we feel the outcome is well worth it, and with the extrusion exposed, there are endless points of attachment. For example, in our case, we offer a counter extension that the hardware can be bolted onto the cabinet frame.
Lastly, we build with a set plan and dimensions, but for a DIYer that may not have every detail planned out there is a lot of flexibility using this product. During the building stage, it is very easy to remove, change and rework a design by simply unbolting a member or two. That can be a plus when building a camper van on the fly. For a more in depth look at building with extruded aluminum check out the Engineers Who Vanlife website and blog.
High Pressure Laminate (HPL)
We use high pressure laminate mostly for its durability. HPL has proven itself in the residential kitchen and RV industry for years and with new manufacturing technology, companies like Wilsonart are constantly improving their products durability and surfaces. This stuff can take a beating. With its huge array of colors and patterns, HPL can add a splash to most designs.
Of course, HPL’s durability also relies on its substrate and how it has been applied. At CMV we outsource the pressing of full 4×8 sheets of material that are cold pressed in a 200 ton hydraulic hot press using a water resistant glue. Our substrate of choice is a Eurolight ply; this is a plywood that is lighter than Baltic Birch and uses water proof glues – think the marine industry. Perfect for a van!
Blum Hardware
There are plenty of choices out there, but trust me they are not all alike. I have stuck with BLUM hardware ever since I worked for my first cabinetmaker in 1991. It is definitely the best. All of CMV’s galleys use Blum undermount drawer slides and Blum hinges. Both have soft close function integrated into the device, are incredibly smooth, silent, and easy to use. Take a deeper look into Blum hardware here.
The other piece to our drawers, is Southco slam latches. We tested several other identical latches from other manufacturers and non were as sturdy and reliable as Southco.