Window shades
- Thread starter rubberduck
- Start date
rubberduck
Observer
I guess I'm the only one who's tried this. I'll be sure to report my findings. Of course its fifty degrees today instead of ninety.
NuggetHoarder
Adventurer
They work great for blocking the direct sun - radiant heat. You still need to keep the windows cracked to let hot air out. If you use those shades and keep the windows open or at least cracked you will maintain the inside of your rig near the ambient temperature - which is much better than if you have no shades and the windows are closed.
Meefirst234
New member
I wonder if the shades in the pictures you put have solar reflective backing and have the same properties the pleated blinds in this description say they have: The slim 20mm pleats make the blind neatly fit into any size window. The blinds are particularly suitable for conservatories, orangeries and sunrooms. There are two types of pleated blinds, freehanging for windows and conservatory walls, skylight blinds for square and rectangular glass and conservatory ceilings. Our pleated blinds manufactured with ASC fabrics with their solar reflective backing will keep your conservatory cool in summer and save money on heating costs in winter. Our translucent fabrics gently filter and soften the light whilst still giving your room privacy.
If so, then they keep heat out. Am I wrong?
If so, then they keep heat out. Am I wrong?
johnjeffreyparker
New member
CaliMobber
Adventurer
Maybe rubberduck will eventually see this has been resurrected by maybe not(Its a post from 2011).
Im working on this same project now, I bought a bunch or cheap ones from autozone and plan on cutting them out to the shape of my window and a little velcro at each end will keep it tucked up into window.
Im doing this for 2 reasons, one is for the heat and the 2nd of for privacy when sleeping in truck stops or rest stop parking-lots.
Im working on this same project now, I bought a bunch or cheap ones from autozone and plan on cutting them out to the shape of my window and a little velcro at each end will keep it tucked up into window.
Im doing this for 2 reasons, one is for the heat and the 2nd of for privacy when sleeping in truck stops or rest stop parking-lots.
I have done something similar but with water heater insulation from the hardware store. Had the rear sliding windows of my 80 series covered for a good year and have noticed on long trips the temps inside do stay a bit cooler but I don't have any scientific evidence to back that up 
I mounted mine using suction cups to the windows themselves.
Also like stated above, the privacy factor is nice too.
I mounted mine using suction cups to the windows themselves.Also like stated above, the privacy factor is nice too.
robgendreau
Explorer
I took out all the curtains in my van and now use this stuff, the reflectix. It's useful for insulation (though thin), padding, and privacy, as noted. Keeps a bit more warmth in during cold weather too.I have done something similar but with water heater insulation from the hardware store. Had the rear sliding windows of my 80 series covered for a good year and have noticed on long trips the temps inside do stay a bit cooler but I don't have any scientific evidence to back that up
Also like stated above, the privacy factor is nice too.
If you can put it on the outside, it seems to work a bit better as a sunblock. No hard evidence to offer on that though.
mcskibadee1
Adventurer
I am about to do this exact same thing to keep the sun off my fridge. I was going to use grommets on the corners and suction cups on the windows with hooks to hold it. That way I can easily remove it if needed. I might make a couple more that way for privacy in the back of my montero as well as when the sun gets in the eyes of my nieces and nephews.
I'll give that a try sometime to see if it works better.
Abe Froman
Adventurer
We made shades that look similar to those in the OP.
Used reflectix and duct tape and rare earth magnets to attach to inside of our sprinter van.
They don't look great, don't look too bad and I am in for less than $50 for 6 shades that have to total over 20 sq feet of coverage.
The greenhouse on a sprinter is massive and these really help with:
Noise
Shade/sunlight control
Heat.
I made them last year and said that I'd replace with something better once I got access to a sewing machine; but so far no reason to change.
You can't really see them through the tinted side windows, sorry only photo I have of them in van.
Used reflectix and duct tape and rare earth magnets to attach to inside of our sprinter van.
They don't look great, don't look too bad and I am in for less than $50 for 6 shades that have to total over 20 sq feet of coverage.
The greenhouse on a sprinter is massive and these really help with:
Noise
Shade/sunlight control
Heat.
I made them last year and said that I'd replace with something better once I got access to a sewing machine; but so far no reason to change.
You can't really see them through the tinted side windows, sorry only photo I have of them in van.
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