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Old 09-01-2021, 02:45 PM   #1
ShaneGreen
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Window Solar Screen / Shades

There have been a few posts over the years about people making solar screens to put over their windows instead of the dreaded Reflectix. By patching together the information on a bunch of different forums and blogs, I figured out what seemed to be working. Built some for our 331RL and was shocked. The day I was making them they created a 23 degree temperature difference between our dinette / recliner window frames! It's amazing how much heat gets transferred through the windows and frames.



They roll up for easy storage and attach with Velcro. It's a pretty simple project with incredible benefits (The wife can see out the windows and I'm not sweating by noon)



They've made a huge difference in keeping our rig cool this summer. I struggled in building the first few, but I've got a system down now that let's me build them pretty quick and easy. I had to get some more material to finish up one last window, so figured I'd document it and get lots of pictures. It's a pretty long write up, but you can find it here: https://www.wanderandreflect.com/202...creens-for-rv/


Thanks to everyone who's written about these before and contributed to their evolution over the years!



 
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Old 09-01-2021, 08:50 PM   #2
carlrx7
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great idea to keep cool. So when removed, you still have Velcro attached to the windows? How noticeable is it?
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Old 09-02-2021, 06:37 AM   #3
ShaneGreen
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It's black on black, so you only notice if you are right up by it and paying attention. The windows set pretty high too. The velcro sure doesn't look as bad as the tinfoil shining through from Reflectix.
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Old 09-03-2021, 04:11 AM   #4
DougVelting
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Thats a great idea Shane. Would have Definitely come in handy in a few spots this year. How well can you see out of them from inside? Or does it basically make it opaque?
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Old 09-03-2021, 07:47 AM   #5
ShaneGreen
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Doug, you can see out of them ok. Not fantastic, but ok.



Definitely better than you can see through Reflectix


I can read most license plates as they drive by (didn't know what else to use for a comparison, LOL) It's tough to get a picture of, but here is a window that still has foil in the top and solar screens in the bottom. You can see the wavy pattern, that seems to be the thing that blurs things. Other than that, it just seems like it's overcast outside.



With Reflectix we were putting it up and closing our shades before noon and not taking it down until nearly dusk. Now we close the blinds about 3 for an hour or two.
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Old 09-15-2021, 01:46 PM   #6
Brian S
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Sounds like a hood plan! 👍
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Old 09-15-2021, 04:46 PM   #7
Mikelff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaneGreen View Post
There have been a few posts over the years about people making solar screens to put over their windows instead of the dreaded Reflectix. By patching together the information on a bunch of different forums and blogs, I figured out what seemed to be working. Built some for our 331RL and was shocked. The day I was making them they created a 23 degree temperature difference between our dinette / recliner window frames! It's amazing how much heat gets transferred through the windows and frames.



They roll up for easy storage and attach with Velcro. It's a pretty simple project with incredible benefits (The wife can see out the windows and I'm not sweating by noon)



They've made a huge difference in keeping our rig cool this summer. I struggled in building the first few, but I've got a system down now that let's me build them pretty quick and easy. I had to get some more material to finish up one last window, so figured I'd document it and get lots of pictures. It's a pretty long write up, but you can find it here: https://www.wanderandreflect.com/202...creens-for-rv/


Thanks to everyone who's written about these before and contributed to their evolution over the years!



Why not put the screen frame /velcro on the window frame rather than on the glass? Cover the window frame as well as the glass?
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Old 09-15-2021, 04:54 PM   #8
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Partly because most of the newer units have "Frameless Windows"
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Old 09-15-2021, 05:13 PM   #9
Mikelff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaneGreen View Post
There have been a few posts over the years about people making solar screens to put over their windows instead of the dreaded Reflectix. By patching together the information on a bunch of different forums and blogs, I figured out what seemed to be working. Built some for our 331RL and was shocked. The day I was making them they created a 23 degree temperature difference between our dinette / recliner window frames! It's amazing how much heat gets transferred through the windows and frames.



They roll up for easy storage and attach with Velcro. It's a pretty simple project with incredible benefits (The wife can see out the windows and I'm not sweating by noon)



They've made a huge difference in keeping our rig cool this summer. I struggled in building the first few, but I've got a system down now that let's me build them pretty quick and easy. I had to get some more material to finish up one last window, so figured I'd document it and get lots of pictures. It's a pretty long write up, but you can find it here: https://www.wanderandreflect.com/202...creens-for-rv/


Thanks to everyone who's written about these before and contributed to their evolution over the years!



This is a great idea! I like it better than the Reflectix. Reflectix works better on the outside rather than the inside. I cover my slide out roof and sides on the outside with the Reflectix. Huge difference blocking suns radiant heat coming in through the roof and side walls. The windows space on the side slide windows is cut out so you can see out. Adding the solar screens will be a great addition. Adding the Reflectix covering the slide roof and sides can be a chore so I only use it if we will be in one spot for a while. It does make a huge difference in that the suns radiant heat is reflected back out into the outside and never enters the rig. Only some ambient heat gets through. Haven't measured how much less heat gets in but it’s very noticeable. In 100+ degree heat i can get my rig cold, not just cool. Like 74 degrees at 3 pm in 100+. If I don’t cover the slides the a/c has to work much harder. I look forward to trying the solar screens.
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Old 09-15-2021, 05:28 PM   #10
ShaneGreen
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Mikelff as mhs4771 stated, most 5th wheel windows have been "frameless" the last 4 or 5 years. The glass is a few inches larger than the frame on the wall. The glass only has a top hinge and bottom track, both of which aren't exposed to the outside.
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Old 09-15-2021, 06:48 PM   #11
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We actually had "Frameless Windows" on our previous 2012 unit, so that have been us use at least the last 10 years for some MFRs.
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Old 09-15-2021, 06:50 PM   #12
Mikelff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaneGreen View Post
Mikelff as mhs4771 stated, most 5th wheel windows have been "frameless" the last 4 or 5 years. The glass is a few inches larger than the frame on the wall. The glass only has a top hinge and bottom track, both of which aren't exposed to the outside.
Yup, that makes sense. Mine are frameless. Thanks
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Old 09-24-2021, 12:58 PM   #13
ShaneGreen
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Folks have been asking how well you can see out the screens. The one on the right has the solar screen and the left doesn't.



Ignore the dirty window. . .it either needs to rain or I need to get motivated enough to wash windows. Good money is betting on the rain. . .



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Old 12-05-2021, 09:42 PM   #14
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We did the same thing for our windows, but they are attached with snaps instead of velcro. Easy to see out, but hard for anyone to see in during daylight.
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Old 12-06-2021, 08:47 AM   #15
ShaneGreen
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DQDick - I looked at snaps and magnets, but was worried about heat. Didn't want to find out what all that heat concentrated on a tiny spot of glass would do. Glad to hear it's working for you!
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