Steel Framing

CAD designed extruded steel framing, bolted and screwed - a key to structural integrity

In this second installment highlighting some of the unique Barclay RV design ideas that are not commonly found in RVs, we are going behind, or perhaps we should say inside, the scenes. We are discussing the framing.

When you're shopping at the high end of the RV market, you're expecting the best—residential finishes, smart systems, off-grid capabilities, and that elusive feeling of “home” on the road. But even among $200K+ rigs, one crucial detail is often overlooked: What is your RV really made of?

We’re not talking about the countertops or the cabinetry. We’re talking about what’s behind the walls—the frame that holds everything together. And in this category, we are quietly changing the game by building our RVs on Volstrukt lightweight steel framing, while most of our luxury competitors still rely on traditional wood or rudimentary aluminum construction..

Here’s what that difference means—and why it matters more than you think.

Framing: The Hidden Differentiator

Let’s compare our approach to traditional high-end brands:

Feature	Barclay RV (Volstrukt Steel Framing)	Traditional Luxury RVs (Wood/Aluminum)
Framing Material	Cold-formed galvanized steel (Volstrukt)	Wood studs or basic aluminum
Precision	CNC-cut, CAD-engineered kits	Often hand-built with tolerance variability
Weight	Up to 40% lighter than wood	Heavier structure adds drag and limits cargo capacity
Durability	Moisture-, mold-, fire-, and pest-resistant	Prone to rot, mildew, fire damage, and structural warping

So Why This Matters for Luxury RV Buyers

🔇 Road-Ready Rigidity

Barclay RVs with Volstrukt’s framing resists twisting, warping, and settling. That translates to:

• Fewer squeaks and rattles

• Doors and cabinets that stay aligned

• Structural integrity, even on rough roads

With wood or basic aluminum, it's common to hear groans and creaks as your RV flexes on the move—something that wears down both your rig and your nerves over time.

🔥 Built to Withstand the Unexpected

Fire resistance. No rot. No mold. No termites. When you're investing in a rig to last decades, these aren't minor benefits—they’re foundational.

🚐 So Why Aren’t Other Luxury RV Brands Using Steel?

The truth? Volstrukt framing is more expensive and more complex to integrate. Traditional RV builders are set up for wood or aluminum and fiberglass. It's what their crews know. It’s what their templates are based on. And it’s faster—until things go wrong down the road.

We made the bold choice to break from industry norms—not for show, but for substance. We invested in engineering, automation, and modular steel construction because we’re building for a discerning customer.

Now, what may not immediately come to mind, but another key reason for going this way - Insulation.

🧱 How Steel Framing Supports Superior Insulation

1. Consistent Cavity Depths = Cleaner Insulation Installs

• Because Volstrukt steel frames are CNC-cut and precisely engineered, the wall cavities are uniform and square. This allows for:

  • Perfectly fitted insulation, with no gaps or compression

  • Better air sealing, especially when using spray foam or rigid panels

  • Higher R-values in practice, not just on paper

• In contrast, wood framing can be uneven, and aluminum frames often require odd spacing and leave thermal gaps, making consistent insulation much harder to achieve.

2. Steel + Spray Foam = High Thermal Efficiency

• BarclayRV pairs its steel framing with closed-cell spray foam insulation, which:

  • Bonds directly to the steel for rigid, gap-free insulation

  • Acts as both an air and vapor barrier

  • Has a high R-value per inch (~R-6 to R-7)

  • This combination creates a tight thermal envelope that keeps the RV comfortable in extreme temperatures—hot or cold.

3. Less Thermal Bridging Than You’d Expect

• You may have heard that metal conducts heat (and cold), which is true—but Volstrukt framing uses thin-gauge steel that minimizes this effect. With proper insulation strategy:

  • Thermal bridging is mitigated by spray foam or rigid board overlays

  • Steel studs are narrow and infrequent compared to aluminum “stud webs”, reducing total contact area

  • Interior finishes (like thermal breaks, composite sheathing, and vapor barriers) further buffer any loss

• By contrast, many aluminum-framed RVs use broad stud channels that act like thermal highways, quickly transferring exterior temperatures to the interior—creating condensation and hot/cold spots.

4. Better Long-Term Integrity of Insulation

• Steel framing doesn’t warp, shrink, or rot, which means:

  • Your insulation remains tight against the structure over time

  • There’s no settling, shifting, or movement to create air gaps

  • You avoid moisture ingress that can degrade insulation performance

• In wood-framed RVs, insulation can sag or separate as the wood flexes, settles, or absorbs moisture. full-timer who logs 20,000+ miles a year

We use spray foam exclusively which adds tremendous rigidity, creates a very tight building envelope which keeps the interior quiet and at a much more constant temperature.

We should also add that we add a full heat recovery air circulation system in all our designs which is key with such a tight building envelope. This brings fresh air in and out of the Travel Home, running 24/7 365 days a year. This is critical to ensure the best quality of air and no mold.

🧭 The Bottom Line

At the luxury level, most RV brands focus on aesthetics. BarclayRV starts with structure—because a rig that looks good but breaks down or deteriorates over time isn’t truly high-end.

If you're comparing luxury RVs and wondering where the real value lies, don’t stop at quartz countertops or recessed lighting. Ask:

✅ What kind of framing is holding this together?

✅ How will this RV perform after 100,000 miles?

✅ What’s my return on investment—not just financially, but in peace of mind?

With BarclayRV’s Volstrukt steel core, the answer is clear: it’s built to move, built to last, and built for travelers who don’t compromise.