Black-out Shades

[Ramblin_Recks]

I really like the MCD shades, but not the price... Has anyone installed regular roll-up shades (residential) underneath the wooden valance that surrounds the windows? Seems like it should work.

An ideas, thoughts?

Thanks
Ramblin Reck

[96Bounder30E]

Moved from DIY

[Almot]

Fabric blackouts, there is nothing better. Put a second parallel rod for a lace curtain if you want both light and privacy on some days. Mini-blinds actually do both jobs, but poorly. Remove that wooden valance if you have to, it sucks anyway. I removed the side "valance" or whatever it's called, those vertical pieces left and right of the window.

[AimlessWanderLu]

This certainly doesn't look factory, but we replaced all the crappy mini blinds in our camper with home-made blackout fabric curtains. We just sewed up square panels slightly bigger than each window, put snaps on the 4 corners, and snap them to the wall. Each panel overlaps the window, and is very snug, can't even see light around the edges. We spent maybe $40 for all 7 windows on fabric and snaps, probably 5 hours sewing (because we're definitely not expert sewers). With everything snapped up, the only light comes in from the roof vents...very dark.

[Tom_M1]

When the strings broke in my Day/Night shades I replaced them with some heavy drapes from IKEA. Simple, cheap, and very effective at blocking the light.

[Photog101]

Ramblin Recks:

I am like you. The price was just a bit on the steep side. When I need to cut down the light, I pull out my winter insulators made of reflectex that velcro to the walls and ceiling. It can be pitch black in the middle of a bright summer day. I store my reflectex under my mattress and have each one marked for which window, door or vent they fit. It is dark enough that I have worked on a 35mm camera like I was in the dark room at home.

[RetSgt7114]

Ramblin Recks wrote:
I really like the MCD shades, but not the price... Has anyone installed regular roll-up shades (residential) underneath the wooden valance that surrounds the windows? Seems like it should work.

An ideas, thoughts?

Thanks
Ramblin Reck

I have them and they work very well.