T trim shrinks

[Outcycling]

When I converted my van I built all the units myself and installed silver T trim from Moorlands over the edges. A few years later and the trim has shrunk massively by around an inch for a large tambour door opening. I am going to have to buy some more now and re do it it all but thinking I’ll either leave it in the van for a few years before I do it or install it will several inches overlap sticking out and cut to size in a few years time. I have no idea how companies fit this so that it doesn’t do this? It’s not as if I didn’t force it in. So be warned if you are doing this yourself.

 

[drinfinity]

Surely you only need to buy an extra inch?

It is possible to put some tension into it, especially when installing around the corners. Eventually as the tension relaxes it creeps back and leaves a gap.

 

[DXX]

I‘m not sure how plastic trim can shrink, more likely the furniture has swelled with high humidity?
Is the van damp?
Is there a heater used in cold weather?

 

[Outcycling]

I‘m not sure how plastic trim can shrink, more likely the furniture has swelled with high humidity?
Is the van damp?
Is there a heater used in cold weather?

Lol no.

 

[Outcycling]

Surely you only need to buy an extra inch?

It is possible to put some tension into it, especially when installing around the corners. Eventually as the tension relaxes it creeps back and leaves a gap.

I have spare that I can put in but it just doesn’t look great to me. I’m just amazed at how much it’s moved.

 

[Steved55]

I've built 2 vans using evo units with similar trims - none have shrunk back. Are you stretching them as you fit them? On internal openings I always cut long then butt the ends together and tap in place

 

[Outcycling]

I've built 2 vans using evo units with similar trims - none have shrunk back. Are you stretching them as you fit them? On internal openings I always cut long then butt the ends together and tap in place

No, didn’t stretch at all not knowingly. I probably only cut it a very small amount long it fitted in perfectly. It’s really strange as really wouldn’t expect it to shrink at all. Can’t work it out but it’s happened on all of the lengths. Even the straight runs have shrunk a bit.

 

[rod_vw]

If it's fitted in warm conditions then it's easy to stretch it a bit as it's installed. I've always made sure that I account for this when fitting and as above oversize a bit.

 

[CJW]

Thermal dimensional stability can be an issue in plastics like PVC. It is also true that some plastics absorb / release moisture from the air, changing dimensions.

Normally the answer is to stick to specialist products but Moorlands are very well respected for this kind of application.

Why not drop them a line and explain what you’ve witnessed? Good specialists value longitudinal feedback.

 

[Outcycling]

Thermal dimensional stability can be an issue in plastics like PVC. It is also true that some plastics absorb / release moisture from the air, changing dimensions.

Normally the answer is to stick to specialist products but Moorlands are very well respected for this kind of application.

Why not drop them a line and explain what you’ve witnessed? Good specialists value longitudinal feedback.

Good idea, I’ll take some photos and contact them next week.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Good idea, I’ll take some photos and contact them next week.

After 2 years all mine have a 2 to 3mm gap. I’m just going to replace them myself, it’s pretty cheap stuff. Might even try a new colour.

 

[Outcycling]

After 2 years all mine have a 2 to 3mm gap. I’m just going to replace them myself, it’s pretty cheap stuff. Might even try a new colour.

That’s nothing. Mine shrunk by 3cm and even the short straight runs have shrunk by a cm