Curtains?

[VanLifeCrisis]

Well i have a van, but i think the curtains used in the conversion are RV type. Anyway, im clueless here, the curtains in there look pretty bad and i would love to replace them. I tried searching for them but im just getting hardware. The track i have seem fine and the little plastic hardware that the curtain is attached to, the type with a round hole, seem ok. Can you buy curtains that snap in there? Or do you get some pieces and attach them to your own material or something?

Or should i just scrap everything and buy all new hardware? How do you get the actual curtains? lol

 

[decodancer]

You're lucky you have the hardware. I had to adapt tension rods for my van. Use the old curtains as patterns to cut new ones out of fabric you like. Leave an extra inch to turn under and use hem tape to iron in the seams if you can't find someone to sew them. I got insulated curtains at Walmart and cut them down to fit, I got three curtains out of one. If you need the part that hooks to the curtain, there are lots of places online to get them or take a sample to a fabric store and let them order it.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I must find this hem tape you speak of...my attempts to sew have been both figuratively and literally painful. Lol

 

[stude53]

Martin,
Any Walmart ..
This Iron-On Hem Tape is a quick, easy, neat and no-sew hem tape. Made from 100 percent polyester, this hem tape is colorfast and machine washable and available in many different colors.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Iron-On-Hem-Tape-Black/17330898

Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

I have never seen premade rv curtains, not saying they are not out there but with so many different sizes and styles I think you have to make your own. I have seen a couple of companies that make blinds but they are pricey. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

I have never seen premade rv curtains, not saying they are not out there but with so many different sizes and styles I think you have to make your own. I have seen a couple of companies that make blinds but they are pricey. highdesertranger

I am just carving wooden covers to go over my windows. ManVan!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

lol thats funny you should mention that...i was thinking of doing that to 2 of my windows. the bed sits between two windows and im scared cause im so tall ill kick the one at the foot of my bed out. in my other cargo van i had gotten used to sorta 'posting' of the wall down there to move around or flip over in bed...a habit i have to break lol.

 

[highdesertranger]

got smart, that sounds cool post up some pics when you are done. highdesertranger

 

[jeanontheroad]

If you are going to be sewing anyway, try thrift stores for premade, lined drapes that already have tops made to accept hooks and bottoms that just need to be hemmed.

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If you use velcro on the bottoms, you can get something you probably won't accidently kick loose.

 

[GotSmart]

got smart, that sounds cool post up some pics when you are done. highdesertranger

Not done painting them yet, but here they are.

I will be using shelf holder clips to hold that wood against the windows. Basic thin plywood. I used cardboard for the original template.

They are just something I came up with after one too many headlights at 4 AM.

 

[MikeRuth]

Not done painting them yet, but here they are.

I will be using shelf holder clips to hold that wood against the windows. Basic thin plywood. I used cardboard for the original template.

They are just something I came up with after one too many headlights at 4 AM.

I'd like to see what you call "self holder clips".

Mike R

 

[LeeRevell]

"SHELF...." not 'self'.

 

[Seraphim]

To keep dust collecting down on our last van, instead of curtains, we cut sheets of white ABS plastic and velcroed them over windows. Could put insulation between plastic and glass if needed. The white plastic - on the inside - reflected light from whatever source and lightened up the interior. Easy to wipe clean.

 

[LeeRevell]

Walmart sells Foam Core Board in their crafts section. Basically two sheets of poster board with a thin layer of foam sandwiched between. Various colors, and white and black. I'm considering this for black-out window coverings. Velcro tabs on the glass to mount them.

 

[highdesertranger]

seraphim and lee those a great ideas. if you space it out from the widow and trap air in the space it would insulate the windows. highdesertranger

 

[Seraphim]

That's why we didn't cut the plastic to match the glass window, but velcroed it onto the plastic around the window. Created a gap which could also be filled with insulating material. I'll see if I can find photos.

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The cover in this photo wasn't put on properly, but demonstrates the idea. We also had one for the windshield, butt are using a curtain in this photo.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Another idea for your menu of options:

Get insulating foamboard (Formular, polyiso) of the appropriate thickness for your window wells. Make a plug to fit into said well. Attach your choice of black, reflective, artwork, etc. to the window side.

Inside, you could glue 1/4" plywood to the foamboard on the inside for protecting your bed window, paint it , stain it, glue on wallpaper, staple on fabric - all kinds of options for decorating the inside surface. On other windows, use colorplast, foam core, ABS or something lighter than plywood ( would take less velcro to hold up). Make the inside bigger than the window plug to attach with velcro, basically making a flanged plug.

-- Spiff

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

I guess I'm just lazy and cheap. My curtains are contractor trash bags, held up with neodymium magnets. I can roll up the curtains for driving, and let them down when I park. They work great, cost very little, and don't take up any room.

 

[Vic.]

I originally measured and cut out some reflectix, but as Suanne noted, it's too much hassle.

Now I'm going to take the black material I purchased to glue to the reflectix and instead make some curtains out of bungee cord.

 

[GotSmart]

I'd like to see what you call "shelf holder clips".

Mike R

I just found this post while cleaning out my inbox.

The shelf holder clip is what is used to hold up wooden shelves in kitchen cabinets. I drilled holes in the window pillars to hold the plastic clips. That way I can take out the covers and be on the road in a minute. Since I am only using thin plywood it fits in the space between my seat back and cabinet.

Perhaps if I had a little more room (for storage of the covers), I would use some of the excellent alternatives posted on here