One important key feature in any RV is the windows. Windows are the gateway to the outside world around us. After all, the reason you have a converted vehicle or RV is so you can get out and explore the country and see the world. Whether in your factory built RV or your DIY converted vehicle, your windows are a key feature of your living space. They can truly have a major impact on your overall experience when traveling.

Selecting the right window coverings for your rig can be critical. There are so many options for window treatments. Which ones are the best for your application? At Shade Smith LLC, we help our clients consider different options when deciding on the perfect window treatment for their rig. I ask every client two questions. First, how often are you in your RV? And second, will you be spending a lot of time in areas where it will be very hot? 

We all know that manufacturers and DIY converters do their best to insulate their rigs' floors, walls, and ceilings, but it can be difficult to get it just right. Additionally, windows are a major access point for heat and light. Some RVs and converted vehicles come with tinted windows; some may even have dual-pane windows. Regardless of what the manufacturer may provide, heat and light will still filter through the glass. 

That said, if you spend a lot of time in your RV or conversion, in our opinion, three months or more per year, depending on where you plan to stay, you may want to consider a more functional window-covering product rather than using something more aesthetically pleasing. If you are going to be in areas where it will be in excess of 100° F, then you will need something that will keep out the heat. 

Our Slow Rise, Roller Shade product is a unique solution that meets both these criteria. The blackout shade is made of a 4-ply 100% blackout vinyl, a fabric that has been a standout in the industry for its exceptional light-blocking properties. No other window covering product comes close. Opting for the day/night shade option of the Slow Rise Roller Shade product, the most popular choice, also provides the sun/solar screen. This screen is the hero in keeping the heat out while maintaining visibility. We offer different densities, with the 95%, 90%, and 70% options being the most popular.

If you are considering upgrading your current window coverings to something like the Slow Rise Roller Shade product, you must answer a few questions before deciding. First...

Will the roller shades fit in my specific RV or conversion? 

In most cases, yes. We recommend a minimum of 2” of clearance on the inside of the valance for operable use. If you are not using valances, then this question does not apply to you. We have seen many people remodeling their units and removing the valances. If that is your choice, that is fine and up to you. And you will not need to worry, as the Slow Rise shades will fit just fine. 

How do I measure my windows for roller shades?

For the best custom fit, measure the inside of your valance width and then deduct 1” from the net inside measurement. That will be your shade width size. For example, if the total net measurement is 50 inches, your shade order width will be 49 inches.

You will also measure the height from the top, where the shade will mount, to the bottom of the window frame. You can round up to the nearest inch. The factory will always provide three or four extra inches to the height of the shade. So, there is no need to measure the exact height.

Which option do I choose, single night only or day/night option?

The most popular option is the day/night roller shade. This is because of its versatility and multiple uses. If heat and light are your biggest concerns, go with the day/night option. When the shades are in the up (open) position, you will get all the natural light available coming through your window. 

On an exceptionally hot day, we recommend pulling the shades down early in the morning and allowing your air conditioning to cool off the inside of your unit before the heat becomes too excessive. Then, around mid-morning, 11:00 AM or so, you can raise your blackout shade so that you can see out, but the solar screen will remain down, thereby blocking the heat for the remainder of the day. This is the optimal way of keeping the inside of your unit cool during the hot summer days. 

Then, of course, you have the blackout shade that you can use for privacy, either day or night. One of the most popular features of the sun/solar screen is that when the sun is out, you can see out, but people cannot see in. So, during the day, with the sunscreen, your privacy is maintained. 

If you choose the Night option shade, which is still a good option compared to other products to keep the heat out, the shades must be down; therefore, you will have zero visibility through your windows.

Some clients have mentioned that their rigs come with tinted windows or have considered having them tinted. This is an option. However, remember that if you tint your windows, the tint will be virtually permanent. So, it will be impossible on a bright, sunny, cool day when you might want to let in a lot of natural light. Therefore, going with the day/night roller shade option will be the best for versatility in allowing and blocking the maximum amount of light. 

How easy are the shades to operate?

The design of the Slow Rise Roller Shades is the best in the industry. They are designed with what we call a one-touch system. You pull the shade down to the level you want, and the shade will stay in that position. The shade will release its lock with one pull and slowly retract to the top without assistance. 

The shade is also designed with two adjustment dials. On the left side, adjust the speed intention of the internal spring, which controls how fast or slow the shade will retract. The right-side adjustment is for what we call the drop setting. Turning the dial on the right side clockwise will drop the pull-down, and the shade will stop in the opposition at that level each time the shade is retracted. For example, if you have relatively tall windows and want better access to the pull rail, you can turn the right side clockwise to bring it down. That way, it is in an easier position for you to access. 

Additionally, the fabric we use is very easy to clean. No special chemicals are needed; a warm, damp cloth will clean almost anything on the shade fabric.

How easy are the shades to install?

Our Slow Rise, Roller Shade product is probably one of the most easily installed products in the industry. Our quick mount brackets, available in multiple configurations, make the installation a breeze! Flat brackets are usually utilized because of their versatility in mounting inside most valances. In most cases, this method allows you to remove the old shade and install the new Roller Shade without taking the valance down. 

There are two different options for mounting brackets.  For your application, you could go with the regular bracket, which allows the shade to hang freely and the bracket is mounted to the wall. The large L bracket is utilized when you are required to remove your valances for the installation process. Using the large bracket allows you to mount both the shade and the valance utilizing our single bracket. This helps eliminate the second step of mounting the valance and then mounting the shades separately. 

No matter what type of window covering you are interested in, we are always available to walk you through the installation process for your unit. By the way, photos of your window box are always helpful so we know ahead of time what type of window setup you have.

Are there motorized options available?

Yes. All of our products are custom-made. The vast majority of roller shades are manual. However, any of our shades can be motorized. This includes the single-night only or the day/night options. Ours is a 12V motor that utilizes your RVs 12V system. If not tying into a current power supply, you must run small 12V wires and install 2-way toggle switches for each motor. However, with the motorized units, all it takes is an easy-to-access switch to raise and lower each of your shades, which some customers really appreciate, like Gary Hatt, who has been using our electric shades in his bus conversion for years.

So, as you contemplate the options for your RV windows, we hope the answers to these questions help you determine the best option for your application. Ultimately, we want your RV experience to be the best it can be and we are very confident that our product will help you do just that!

You can read more about the Electric Shade options that Gary Hatt has in his bus by clicking HERE.