meta_description: "Complete guide to Remi pop top roofs for UK van conversions. Prices, installation options, fitting types, lead times, and how they compare to other pop top roof brands." author: "Van Life UK Team" read_time: "13 min" "
A pop top roof is the single most transformative modification you can make to a campervan. It adds a separate sleeping area (freeing the main living space), creates standing headroom in the kitchen area, and increases the resale value of your conversion by £2,000–£4,000.
Remi is the most popular pop top roof brand in the UK, fitted by dozens of conversion specialists and available as a DIY kit. This guide covers everything you need to know about Remi roofs: types, prices, installation, insulation, and long-term ownership.
What Remi Offers
Remi is a British company based in Leicestershire that manufactures GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) pop top roofs for most UK panel vans. They supply to professional converters and sell direct to self-builders.
The roof is a one-piece GRP moulding with a hinged mechanism, gas struts, and a canvas bellows section. When closed, it sits flush on the van roof line, adding about 20–25cm of height. When open, it provides approximately 90–100cm of additional headroom in the raised section.
Models by Van
| Van Model | Remi Roof Type | Canvas Length | Closed Height Added | Open Sleeping Area | UK Price (DIY Kit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom (2012–2023) | Standard | 2.0m | 22cm | 2.0m × 1.2m (single bed) | £2,800–£3,200 |
| Ford Transit (full-size) | Extra-long | 2.2m | 25cm | 2.2m × 1.4m (double bed) | £3,200–£3,600 |
| Mercedes Sprinter (MWB) | Standard | 2.0m | 22cm | 2.0m × 1.3m | £3,000–£3,400 |
| Mercedes Sprinter (LWB) | Extra-long | 2.4m | 25cm | 2.4m × 1.4m (large double) | £3,400–£3,800 |
| VW Crafter / MAN TGE | Long | 2.2m | 22cm | 2.2m × 1.4m | £3,200–£3,600 |
| VW Transporter T6/T6.1 | Standard | 1.8m | 22cm | 1.8m × 1.2m (small double) | £2,500–£2,900 |
| Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay | Extra-long | 2.4m | 25cm | 2.4m × 1.5m (large double) | £3,200–£3,600 |
All prices are for the DIY kit (unpainted). Professional installation adds £1,500–£2,500 depending on the converter. Remi can supply the roof painted to match your van's paint code for an additional £400–£600.
Canvas Options
Remi offers three canvas options:
- Black PVC: The standard option. Durable, easy to clean, UV resistant. Does not breathe — condensation can form on the inside in cold weather.
- Grey PVC: Same material, different colour. Less prone to showing dirt than black.
- Canvas (breathable): A polyester-cotton blend. Breathes better, less condensation. Less durable than PVC (shows wear after 3–5 years). More expensive by £200–£300.
For UK van life, the breathable canvas is worth the extra cost. Condensation in a pop top is inevitable on cold nights — breathable canvas reduces the amount of water that collects on the inside of the bellows.
Installation
What the DIY Kit Includes
The Remi DIY kit comes with:
- GRP roof moulding (top section)
- GRP inner frame (glues to the van roof)
- Bellows canvas (pre-fitted to the moulding)
- Gas struts (2 or 4 depending on roof size)
- Hinge mechanism (front-mounted)
- Sealing gaskets and adhesive
- Fixings and hardware
- Full installation manual
What You Need to Supply
- Structural adhesive (Sikaflex 252 or similar, £25–£35 per tube, you need 3–4 tubes)
- Drill with bimetal hole saw (for the roof aperture)
- Angle grinder with cutting discs (for cutting the roof panel)
- Rivet gun and stainless steel rivets
- Sealant for the roof join
- Paint (if not pre-painted)
The Installation Process
- Mark out the roof aperture. The roof is measured and the cutting lines are marked on the van roof panels. Remi provides a full-size template.
- Cut the roof panel. Cut along the marked lines using an angle grinder with a thin cutting disc. Cut carefully — the roof panel is structural and cannot be replaced.
- Box in the roof aperture. Timber framing is glued and screwed around the cut edge to provide structural support for the roof and mounting points for the inner frame.
- Fit the inner frame. The GRP inner frame is glued to the van roof using structural adhesive. Position it carefully — it cannot be moved once the adhesive cures.
- Fit the outer roof. The roof section with the bellows attached is positioned on the hinge mechanism, centred, and bolted to the inner frame.
- Connect gas struts. The struts attach to brackets on the roof moulding and the van body. Adjust the strut position to control the opening force.
- Seal the roof. The joint between the GRP roof and the van body is sealed with Sikaflex or a similar polyurethane sealant. The seam is covered with a trim strip.
- Wire the roof light (if fitted). Some Remi roofs come with an LED light in the bellows section. Wire it to your van's lighting circuit.
Professional Installation
Remi recommends professional installation. A misaligned roof leaks, causes wind noise, and may fail structurally. The main risks:
- Cutting the roof panel too wide or in the wrong position (irreversible)
- Incorrect structural adhesive application (roof detaches at speed — a rare but documented failure)
- Poor sealant application (water ingress, rust, mould in the roof cavity)
- Gas struts adjusted incorrectly (roof does not stay up in wind, or requires excessive force to close)
Professional installation costs £1,500–£2,500 depending on the converter. The total cost (DIY kit + professional fitting): £4,300–£6,200.
Lead Times
Remi roofs are made to order. Current lead times:
- Unpainted roof: 4–6 weeks
- Painted roof: 6–10 weeks
- Professional installation appointment: 2–4 weeks from roof delivery
Total time from order to driving away with a fitted roof: 8–14 weeks in busy periods.
Alternatives to Remi
| Brand | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remi | £2,800–£3,800 (kit) | Best UK option, good quality, decent lead times, wide van coverage |
| Skyline (Glasgow) | £2,500–£3,500 | Scottish manufacturer, similar quality to Remi, longer lead times |
| Camper King (Threadneedle) | £2,000–£3,000 | Lower price, less refined finish, good for budget builds |
| SCA Roofs | £3,000–£4,000 | High-end, carbon fibre option, longer lead times |
| Doubleback (US) | £4,000–£5,000 | US import, crane-lift mechanism (not hinged), heavy |
| Self-build (timber frame) | £500–£1,500 | DIY timber and canvas roof, significant skill required, lower weight limit |
Remi is the best balance of quality, price, and availability for the UK market. SCA is better if you want a carbon fibre look and have the budget. Camper King is adequate for a budget build where the pop top is secondary to the overall conversion.
Insulating the Pop Top
A pop top bellows section is a weak point for thermal performance. The canvas has an R-value of approximately 0.5–0.7 (compared to R 2.0+ for a well-insulated van roof). In winter, a pop top bed is noticeably colder than the main van.
Insulation options:
- Reflective bubble foil (Thermawrap, Space Blanket): Cut to fit the inside of the bellows, attached with Velcro. Removable. Adds approximately R 0.5. Cheap (£20–£30). The best option for most people.
- 3mm closed-cell foam (camping mat material): Cut to shape, attached with spray adhesive. Adds approximately R 0.3. Permanently attached, which limits the ability to fold the roof flat.
- DIY insulated infill panel: A rigid panel of PIR foam board covered in fabric, wedged into the roof opening when the roof is closed. Adds significant insulation but blocks the sleeping area.
- Heated mattress pad: 12V heated mattress topper (about £50 from Amazon) in the pop top bed. Not insulation, but makes the bed warm regardless of the air temperature.
For UK winter van life, combine an insulated infill panel (for when the roof is closed) with a 12V heated mattress pad. The combined effect makes the pop top bed comfortable down to about -5°C outside.
Long-Term Ownership
Remi roofs have been in production since the early 2000s. Long-term issues:
- Canvas deterioration: PVC canvases start showing UV degradation after 5–7 years. The fabric becomes less flexible and may develop pinhole leaks. Replacement canvas: £400–£600 from Remi.
- Gas strut wear: Gas struts lose pressure over time. A roof that does not stay up after 4–5 years needs new struts. Cost: £30–£60 per strut.
- Sealant failure: The seam between the GRP roof and the van body needs re-sealing every 3–5 years. Sikaflex degrades with UV exposure. Check the seal annually and re-apply if cracks appear.
- Hinge mechanism: The hinge mechanism is robust (stainless steel, riveted construction). No common failure points reported.
- Water ingress: The most common reported issue. Water enters through failed sealant, poorly fitted corner gaskets, or UV-damaged canvas. Regular inspection prevents internal damage.
A well-maintained Remi roof should last 15–20 years with canvas replacement at the 7–10 year mark.
Related Reading
- Hettich Hinges & Runners for Van Conversions
- Armaflex vs Celotex Insulation Comparison
- Condensation Management in a Campervan
- Mercedes Sprinter MWB vs LWB for Conversions
