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MookieKat's avatar
MookieKat
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013

Question about types of shades

Most of the 5ers that we have seen have the pleated type. Some called, "day/night" and others not. Then we have seen plantation blinds, and the Redwoods that we see online have the old-fashioned pull-down white roller blinds.

I do not understand....I thought that the day/night shades were the nicest but I am seeing higher end rigs with blinds (plantation or pull-down roller).

Could someone explain about these things? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type? Thanks!
  • Ours have the day/night shades. At least one string is broken on each of the windows on either side of the bed (caused by my fanny rubbing against them as I made the bed), and they are permanently in night mode. The ones by the dinette and behind the sofa are in perfect working order because they don't get the abuse the ones in the bedroom had to endure. When the ones in the bedroom get to be an eyesore, I intend to replace them with something, but as of now, they don't look bad and they do block out the light.
  • 2gypsies wrote:

    We did replace the bedroom day/night because even though you couldn't see in, the morning light came through the two fabric layers and brightened the room and woke us up too early. :) We just went to a home retail store with dimensions. We wanted total blackout. We chose a honeycomb (2 layers for insulation) pleated shade that matched the color of all our others in the MH. It easily operates by a pull cord on the side (similar to venetian blinds). They come in all fabrics and colors and we love it for the bedroom. However, we lost the daytime sheer option because it is total blackout but we didn't really need a daytime effect in that room.

    I hear ya! We have black out draperies in our bedroom!

    I think what you might be seeing in new RVs now are the "MCD" shades. They are on rollers, similar to the old-fashioned shades. One roller is for daytime to see out but give privacy (similar in effect to the above-mentioned pleated shades) and the other is for privacy at night. They are extremely expensive but folks seem to like them. We don't care for the look of them. If they could make them in different fabrics or colors they would look better, in our opinion.

    Some folks use the metal venetian blinds or even wood blinds. It just depends on your finances and the look you want to achieve. Anything can be replaced later on. I wouldn't count out a particular RV because of the window coverings.

    Definitely Not!
    Good luck!
  • Ours came with day/night pleated shades - you pull down one layer for privacy and light during the day and pull down another for privacy at night. You cannot see in. For all the use they've gotten they have served us well. A few times new strings were needed but it's a do-it-yourself project or some mfg. of the blinds will do it for you if you send them and sometimes free but you pay postage.

    We did replace the bedroom day/night because even though you couldn't see in, the morning light came through the two fabric layers and brightened the room and woke us up too early. :) We just went to a home retail store with dimensions. We wanted total blackout. We chose a honeycomb (2 layers for insulation) pleated shade that matched the color of all our others in the MH. It easily operates by a pull cord on the side (similar to venetian blinds). They come in all fabrics and colors and we love it for the bedroom. However, we lost the daytime sheer option because it is total blackout but we didn't really need a daytime effect in that room.

    I think what you might be seeing in new RVs now are the "MCD" shades. They are on rollers, similar to the old-fashioned shades. One roller is for daytime to see out but give privacy (similar in effect to the above-mentioned pleated shades) and the other is for privacy at night. They are extremely expensive but folks seem to like them. We don't care for the look of them. If they could make them in different fabrics or colors they would look better, in our opinion.

    Some folks use the metal venetian blinds or even wood blinds. It just depends on your finances and the look you want to achieve. Anything can be replaced later on. I wouldn't count out a particular RV because of the window coverings. Good luck!
  • We have the day/night pleated blinds. They are so much better than the cheap mini blinds we had before that would bend, tangle, jam etc. Quality day/nights just work with ease.
  • I have no idea what I want, in terms of shades...not knowing anything about any of them. Are you referring to the "anything" to be an RV or the shades?

    If RV....the type of shades it has will not affect which rig we buy...just curious to know the differences.
  • I agree with robsouth. Get what you want or think that you want. You will never find the "perfect" RV
  • Day/night can be a PIA. The cords are known to break and though they can be self repaired, it is another PIA. Had them once and no more for me. We had some blinds made at a blind shop that have worked well now for many years. They are not as attractive, but they are not a PIA. Get what you like.