Window Coverings

[waverider1987]

Not sure which thread to put this in, so here it is:

For van or suv (mine's a 4runner), what do you recommend for windows? I don't know if it makes sense to do reflectix AND curtains, or just do one over the other. I was thinking both...put the reflectix in the windows then make curtains to go on the inside using velcro.  

Also, does anyone cover up the driver/passenger/front window at all when stealth parking? I like the idea of the added cab space, but covering up ALL the windows...maybe intices more curiousity from outsiders than just leaving them open and putting a curtain between the front and back?  I'm not sure.

 

[BigT]

Hmmm... Good timing, finding this question when I did. I just added a few new pics to my van build thread about window coverings here --->
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-My-2010-Ford-Transit-Connect-conversion?page=7

I used both Reflectix and curtains, and I covered the driver's and front passenger's windows with carpet and not Reflectix specifically because I didn't want to draw unwanted attention by using too much of the reflective foil.
At a distance you can't tell there's anything in my front windows at all. If I had used black carpeting, you wouldn't be able to tell even close up.
I kept the curtains for the times when I don't need the insulating properties of the foil, but still want a little privacy.

Personally, if I see a curtain hanging behind the front seats of a car/van, I immediately assume there's someone living in it.

 

[cherterr]

NOT MY IDEA, but I've used it and think it was fantastic:

Reflectix: Paint black on one side so you don't have to look at 'shiney' all the time. Put black side out at night for a better less obvious 'visual' for passersby. Just switch to opposite matching window size. Silver side out in the sun/heat, black to absorb more heat in winter.

Front windshield gets the usual accordion folded reflectix thingy. JMO: I feel curtains would take up too much space, but I have a mini van, and only 'camp' occasionally. (hoping to go full time someday)

 

[Oberneldon]

I use tinted windows and black curtains in the back - I use a black curtain behind the drivers and passenger seats. At night you can't tell.

 

[Gigi]

NOT MY IDEA, but I've used it and think it was fantastic:

Reflectix:  Paint black on one side so you don't have to look at 'shiney' all the time.  Put black side out at night for  a better less obvious 'visual'  for passersby.  Just switch to opposite matching window size.  Silver side out in the sun/heat, black to absorb more heat in winter.

I love this idea too but does anyone know if it ruins the integrity of the Reflictix to do what it's supposed to? 

Gigi

 

[ice_maiden]

I am planning a camping trip this summer in my 4runner, so we seem to all be working on the same thing .... I just spent the evening in the local home depot, exploring window cover options for my 4runner.  I think I am going with just the reflectix on all the rear windows, fold out sun screen on front, except I am going to use small suction cups to mount them on the windows, because I don't want anything permanent.

When I did my van I used tiny eye hooks and then strung the curtains on mini bungees....with removable reflectix behind, that way I could pull the curtains back when driving.

I love the idea of the black and silver reflectix.  really should not bother it.  reflectix is basically just bubble wrap between two pieces of mylar.  But with it being black and silver I may have to put suctions cups on both sides lol

 

[SternWake]

I love this idea too but does anyone know if it ruins the integrity of the Reflictix to do what it's supposed to? 

Gigi

Due to higher emissivity of colors like black, they will radiate more heat, so it does render the reflectix less effective.  How much less, I do not know.

Stack two layers together to compensate, and to have them hold themselves in place better if you cut them slightly oversize.


Aluminum foil has an emissive coefficient of 0.04


Black body matt, has a coefficient of 1:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/emissivity-coefficients-d_447.html

 

[accrete]

as another suggested, we went with a double layer of refletix in our conversion. My wife cut them such that they are simply pressure fitted into window without need of any Velcro/clips/etc. Front window we still utilize a large truck/van folding window sun shade since we don't stealth.

I really like what BigT did with the speaker-grill / trunk liner fabric on the side windows!

: ) Thom

 

[AnnieSantiago]

I love this idea too but does anyone know if it ruins the integrity of the Reflictix to do what it's supposed to? 

Gigi

I sprayed the back of my reflectix with matte black vinyl spray.
It worked great for about 2 weeks, then I began noticing black flakes everywhere as it flaked off.

Also, I'm having a heck of a time getting reflectix to fit into my 2002 Toyota Sienna windows. 
It worked great in my Mercury, but these windows don't want to hold it. 
I tried curtains, but they drive me crazy when I'm trying to sleep because the bottoms hang about 6 inches away from the walls due to the curve of the ceiling.
Suggestions welcome!

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Plastidip may stick better onto mylar than paint.

 

[Txjaybird]

I sprayed the back of my reflectix with matte black vinyl spray.
It worked great for about 2 weeks, then I began noticing black flakes everywhere as it flaked off.

Also, I'm having a heck of a time getting reflectix to fit into my 2002 Toyota Sienna windows. 
It worked great in my Mercury, but these windows don't want to hold it. 
I tried curtains, but they drive me crazy when I'm trying to sleep because the bottoms hang about 6 inches away from the walls due to the curve of the ceiling.
Suggestions welcome!

If there is a way to clip a small cord at the bottom of your window going from side to side maybe that would keep the bottom of the curtain back against the window? IDK

I'm thinking of using small expansion curtain roads at the top and bottom of my windows.  Maybe with the reflectix over the top one and fastened to its self.  Right now on one window in my van I have black foam board from $$ tree with reflectix over it on the window side and the pleated shade pulled down to help hold it in place.  This has worked for a few months so far.  I've been wondering if the expansion top rods will stay up with road vibration.  My 2windows on the back doors don't have a shade.
My side door does, however I like to raise it to see out of when I'm driving in town.  I drive a 1998 GMC Safari  hightop conversion van.

Jewellann

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

My window curtain plan...

Ford E150

Front Driver and Passenger doors- Can't have tinted front passenger windows in NJ so my windows are clear glass. Ventshades so I can leave windows cracked 2-3 inches for ventilation, but it isn't readily apparent that windows are open from the outside. Black mesh privacy screen held in by magnets for max air flow.

Windshield will be a foil sunshade/reflectix, just like any other sunscreen in a parking lot on a sunny day.

I will have a curtain with a clear panel at the "bulk head" line between passenger and cargo area, so AC doesn't have to be run as much to keep the passenger area cool. The clear panel will be like the flexible windows in a Jeep, so the rearview mirror is still usable, but I'll also have a rearview camera so visibility is not an issue. It will also have a solid fabric flap to cover the clear panel for black out privacy. This can be all the way pulled back for max use of the swivel passenger seat. There will be a valence on a separate curtain support at the top so that air can flow over the main curtain but light cannot escape.

Side door windows do not open. They will be very dark tint to allow some visibility out but almost none in. Reflectix exterior/fabric to match furnishings interior black out panel held in place by magnets when absolute opacity is desired.

Rear barn doors, windows do not open. Same plan as above.

So far this covers the best of all scenarios for me. I haven't found a better way to get ventilation AND block all light at the passenger windows yet. I might make a panel of black out fabric that stands off the front passenger windows slightly and has a gap at the top to allow airflow while blocking all light.

 

[Urban Fisher]

I'll just throw out some of my ideas for fun. Actually planning on making my black out window covers this weekend. I live in Texas so I'm not that worried about any insulation factors. In addition I am cheap and really enjoy repurposing things into other things I need/want. First I was going to do the refletix, but it's kinda expensive when you're working with a zero budget. Also I think it's kinda bulky. I too thought about painting it, but as mentioned I could see the paint flaking off with time and making a mess.

Next I was looking at coroplast. The plastic cardboard stuff you see political signs made out of. If you look around, you can find the stuff for free (like old political signs). But it is not very flexible and may be hard to fold for storage.

Then one day at work I noticed a pile of large heavy duty poster boards in our mailroom (wall hanging promotional stuff). I asked the mailroom ladies what was going to happen to them and they said they are headed to the dumpster. They let me take all I wanted (for free of course). They have promotional crap on one side and white on the other. I'm cool with the white for the inside and was thinking of painting over the promotional crap with black paint for the outside. But I live in a small efficiency apartment and painting is not as easy for me as if I lived in a house. So one day I was taking out the trash and figured...why can't I just glue a sheet of black trash bag plastic over the poster board (promotional crap side) and I have black on the outside and white for the inside (which can be switched at any time). Black out window covers for next to zero cost (Already have the trash bags and I will use diluted Elmer's glue painted on the poster board to attach the plastic) Then to help hold them against the windows, I plan on shoving some large paperclips in between the plastic molding and the glass windows at the seam (maybe 2 for each side). Just hold the window cover in place and shove a paperclip half way into the window/plastic trim seam and that should hold them in place (and again, zero cost...the mailroom has tons of paperclips I can "borrow").

 

[Almost There]

I tried curtains, but they drive me crazy when I'm trying to sleep because the bottoms hang about 6 inches away from the walls due to the curve of the ceiling.
Suggestions welcome!

There are several ways to keep the curtains tighter to the window. It all depends on what you want to do to your vehicle.

I use 'cable clamps' from Home Depot. They're meant to be used to run telephone/computer cables in homes. I screwed them in at the bottom of the window and then ran 1/4" doweling. My curtains have rod pockets at both the top and the bottom but if you're doing a semi temporary set up or using commercially made drapes, you could always just tuck the curtains behind the doweling. I'm replacing the dowels with metal rods because the dowels keep warping. If I was to do it over again, I would use 3/8" or 1/2" dowels - I'd have to remake the drapes so replacing the rods is easier.

I've also used bungie cords as curtain restraints when it was a real temporary set up - camping in a mini van for a couple of weeks type set up. I hooked them up to anything I could find including loosening off some of the plastic interior trim. All you  need is enough tension on the cords to hold them in place and then drape the curtains behind them.

You could also install magnets (glued?) to the drapes if you have anything metal that they can attach to.

Self adhesive velcro would work as well.