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RV blinds can become dated, worn, or damaged over time, affecting the look and feel of your camper. Upgrading your camper blinds enhances the aesthetic of your RV, improves functionality, and provides better privacy and light control.
In this blog post, we will discuss why you should upgrade your RV blinds. We’ll provide a step-by-step guide on upgrading them and recommend some of the best replacement blinds.
Whether you’re a seasoned RV owner or a newbie, this post is a must-read for anyone looking to give their camper a fresh touch. Let’s dive in!
Why You Should Upgrade Your Camper Blinds
There are several reasons you should upgrade your camper blinds. One of the most crucial reasons is privacy. Upgraded blinds offer better coverage, blocking unwanted light and providing more privacy.
Another reason is insulation improvement. Newer, high-quality blinds can help regulate the temperature in your camper, making it more comfortable in hot and cold weather.
Finally, upgrading your blinds can add a touch of style to your RV. New blinds come in various colors, materials, and styles, allowing you to choose the perfect match for your RV’s decor. You can add a touch of your personality to it.
What to Consider Before Upgrading Your RV Blinds
Upgrading your RV blinds can bring new life to your camper and improve your overall camping experience.
However, before making a purchase, you must consider several key factors to make the right choice. Privacy, insulation, durability, and style are vital considerations.
Privacy & Insulation
Unless you are out boondocking, you’ll likely be close to your neighbors when camping in your RV.
Installing blinds that provide full coverage over the window keeps people from peeping and the elements from turning your rig into an ice box or an oven.
RV blinds that provide full coverage over the window are a must for privacy. However, don’t forget to consider how transparent they are. A stylish lighter color still needs to be opaque if you want complete privacy.
Along those lines, full coverage helps insulate the inside of your camper from the outside temperature, whether that temperature is extremely hot or icy cold. Also, consider the thermal rating of the blinds so that you’re getting the maximum insulation effect.
Durability
You might consider replacing your RV blinds because the original ones are flimsy or falling apart. Unfortunately, this is all too familiar in RVs. That’s why durability should be a prime factor when replacing weak or outdated camper blinds.
You may opt for custom blinds, a budget-friendly option, or something in between. RV replacement blinds are available in many durable materials that will outlast many original blinds and window coverings.
Replacement blinds are usually polyester, vinyl, multi-layer fabrics, and other durable materials that should last for years.
Style
With the numerous options for replacement RV blinds, there is no reason to sacrifice style for function and durability. You can have it all.
Some blinds come in different varieties, like roller or pleated shades. They have a mind-boggling array of colors. You can have the style you want while providing privacy, insulation, and durability.
How to Upgrade Your Dated RV Blinds
Yes, a professional installed your RV’s original blinds. However, you don’t have to be an expert to replace them yourself.
Following a few simple steps, mainly focusing on size and fit, and replacing camper blinds is an easy and fun do-it-yourself upgrade to your home on wheels.
Buy New Camper Blinds in the Proper Sizes
The key to any successful RV blind upgrade is purchasing replacements of the proper size and fit. It’s relatively easy to do, as long as you keep a few things in mind.
Your new camper blinds should fully cover the window. When measuring for your new blinds, measure just beyond the edges of the window and a little longer than the window from the mounting point. This ensures the new blinds extend slightly beyond the window on all sides, providing complete privacy and light blockage.
Don’t forget to consider any valances you intend to keep or put in place. Always double-check your measurements before making a purchase. This is especially crucial for custom blinds that you can’t return.
Remove Valances
You typically hold valances to the wall via L-shaped brackets you screw into the wall. You can easily remove them with a screwdriver or a cordless drill with the corresponding drill bit. RV screws often use a square-shaped bit.
Unscrew all the screws from the brackets attaching the valance to the wall. You might want an assistant for wider valances with more than a single bracket at each end. Bigger valances could have three, four, or more brackets.
Remove Old Blinds and Brackets
If the old blinds weren’t mounted inside the valance, you must remove them from the wall. The blinds usually attach to brackets, similar to the valance.
First, unscrew the blinds from the brackets and set them aside. Then remove the brackets by unscrewing them from the wall.
Install New Brackets
You’re all set to begin the fun part; installing your new RV blinds!
Measure your new blinds and mark where you want to mount the new brackets on the wall over your window.
Consider whether or not you intend to reinstall your valances or have new ones you will be installing. However, you mount the brackets for the blinds allows room for the valances or other window treatments you intend to install.
Drill pilot holes slightly smaller than the bracket screws for the first bracket. Be careful not to drill through the outer wall.
After mounting the first bracket, temporarily install the blinds and have an assistant hold them. Ensure the blinds are level, and mark the mounting holes for the second bracket. Drill pilot holes and attach the second bracket.
Install RV Blinds
With the brackets in place, slide the blinds into the brackets.
Most blinds have a clip or locking mechanism securing them in the brackets. Be sure that the blinds are in place and fully secure, testing their functionality before you move on.
Add Valances Back, If Preferred
If you are updating to a more modern look with the new blinds in place, the project is over. But if you reinstall the valances or add another new treatment, you can move on to that step.
If reinstalling the old valances, it’s a matter of reinstalling the old brackets. Then reattach the valances to those brackets, and that’s all.
Keep in Mind: Looking to make upgrade to your RV but don’t want to spend a lot of time on it? Then you need to try one of these 20 easy upgrades!
The Best RV Blinds
There are many replacement RV blinds available that are durable, provide privacy and insulation, and are stylish. With so many options, there are likely quality camper blinds for almost any budget.
We narrowed the options to what we feel are some of the best for different categories.
We’re confident that any of these would be an excellent upgrade, whether you want all-out customization or a budget-friendly practical option.
What We Installed: Custom Blackout Roller Shades
These custom blackout roller shades were an affordable yet stylish way to upgrade our blinds. They are highly customizable in size and available in many color options.
Their quality is also unbeatable. With sturdy vinyl, they provide complete blackout coverage and come with the ceiling and wall-mount hardware to meet your needs. These shades even include an internal mechanism that keeps them from rapidly retracting.
Runner Up: Custom Day & Night Roller Shades
RecPro, the same company that made our Blackout Roller Shades, made these Day & Night Roller Shades. They are of the same quality with similar customization options but cost more because of one distinct feature.
These shades are two shades in one mounting. As the name suggests, there is a daytime shade that is somewhat transparent but still provides some privacy and blocks the sun from glaring through the window.
The nighttime shade is a total blackout, giving you complete privacy and blocking out ambient light. It also comes in several colors to best match your interior.
Best Pleated Option: Customizable Pleated Night RV Shades
These more traditional-looking Pleated Night RV Shades are durable polyester fabric with privacy and light control, protect against UV rays, and add extra insulation.
They are highly customizable in size. These fabric shades are available in many colors to meet your style needs.
Keep in Mind: Now that you have new blinds, it’s time to get RV curtains!
Budget Option: Blackout Roller Window Shades
While the Pleated Night RV Shades from RecPro are budget-friendly, it’s tough to beat the price of these Blackout Roller Window Shades from the Homebox Store on Amazon. They’re not as customizable with only black, white, and gray as color options, but they are available in several sizes.
These camper blinds are waterproof, thermal-insulated fabric that blocks 100% of light, protects you from UV rays, and provides complete privacy. They also come with all the appropriate mounting hardware.
Upgrade Your RV Blinds for Fit, Function, and Fashion
Upgrading your RV blinds is a simple and effective way to improve the look, feel, and functionality of your camper. Whether you’re seeking better light blockage, privacy, or a more updated style, there are many options.
When selecting new RV blinds, consider factors like light blockage, privacy, durability, and style. With some research and the correct tools, installing your new blinds is a DIY project that you can do quickly and easily.
So why wait? Upgrade your RV blinds today and enjoy a more comfortable, stylish, and functional camper experience!
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
