Hello All,
Well I have finished my Design and Fab. of the SunScreens for the Rig. In an earlier Post I mentioned I was looking at ways of keeping the heat out, especially in the rear lounge. I was really heading down the path of having reflective film installed on the windows. I ran into some issues with that idea, like getting the screens out. I also wasn't confident in self-install working real well and my installer is short on time. Never did get a price but I'm guessing $300 or more. I did get a cost for an RV Sun Screen Faber and Installer. That was $450 and they drill and screw snaps into the Fiberglass. Wasn't to keen on that.
It was back to the Drawing board. What I came up with looks great. No Drilling, easy installation and storage.
The Pics. you will see show all the tools necessary to do the job. Quite simple really. The Fabric was cut to the outside dimensions of the window frames. The SunScreen Frames were also cut to the outside window frame width. Then de-burred with a file. Assemble, add the Velcro cut in 3/4 widths to window frames and SunScreen frames and your ready to stay cool. Also note the rear window has two positions for using the crank out windows. The Lovely Nina is showing how small the SunScreens are in diameter when not in use.
The Fabric Material and Frame Material was bought at Home Depot. Lowes also sells it. It may be regional, but I'm thinking they should be able to get it for you. The Fabric is called SunTex and is made by PHIFER Wire Products Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Fabric comes in rolls of 36"x84",48"x84" or 48"x25', and the frame material comes in 7' lengths.
Cost, 1 Roll 48"x25' Fabric $52, 10 pcs. 7' Screen Frame $39, Rubber Spline Material 3 pks. 1/8x 25' in ea., $10, Spline Roller Tool, $3, Industrial Strength Velcro 2"x15',$26.
I made SunScreens for all 12 of my windows and one door. Total Cost, $130.
The Pics. are at
http://msnusers.com/azstar/ there are 9 pics. You'll have to click around there a little to see them all.
I believe it's really going to cut down on the work the A/C unit has to do keeping the Rig cool. This also shades the Aluminum window frames to keep them cooler which normally transfers a lot of heat into our Rigs. Just feel them on the inside when there in the sun.
I'm happy to share this with you all. It was a very satisfying project.
Best Wishes