Covering skylights

[ECones]

Our travel trailer has two skylights and two roof vents which the AC has a problem overcoming in the bright sun when the outside temps are 90+. We found some vent covers which should help with them, but the skylights are quite a bit longer, and we've found nothing to help there.

I'm just looking for ideas and wonder what some of you folks may have done.

Right now, the plan is to use about an inch of foam exterior sheathing cut larger than the skylight and self-sticking Velcro as temporary attachments.

Suggestions welcomed.

[ECones]

OK. Just using what we already had around, we cut some poly batting (normally used for stuffing pillows and stuff) to fit the hole and used velcro tabs to affix a piece of white plastic signboard (like corrugated cardboard, only plastic) cut to fit. It doesn't look too bad. Light still gets through, so I assume heat will too. If it doesn't help, I'll find something dark to stick above it.

I still think a sheet of dark foam would be better, but it's an easy fix if we decide to.

[ECones]

dadmomh wrote:
Gotta LOVE an embroiderer.....helps to keep me sorta sane. Most enjoyable and useful hobby I've ever had. If it stands still for very long, something gets embroidered on it. Actually, that might be a really attractive thing to do....simple cover with a great camping or other design.

Cindy's a professional who does work for some of the promotional companies around town. She did my ZRX on the back of a sweatshirt for me.

[beachlovingmom]

We used room darkening fabric cut slightly larger, held up with Velcro. Left in place on hot days, removed on cold days. Left up each night to prevent early morning light.

[jimw606]

I have used the foam board cut to fit. I glued a small piece to the bottom for a handle, for easy removal. Sand the edges to fit, and it helps stop shedding of the pebbles.
Plain finish or aluminum, either works well.

[dadmomh]

Gotta LOVE an embroiderer.....helps to keep me sorta sane. Most enjoyable and useful hobby I've ever had. If it stands still for very long, something gets embroidered on it. Actually, that might be a really attractive thing to do....simple cover with a great camping or other design.

[ECones]

And no offense taken. We'd like it to look nice. Just looking for ideas.

I plan to gather these and print the thread for my wife, who is professional embroiderer. She may even embroider something sharp on it 😉

[dadmomh]

Guess there is too much "decorator" in me, but if we had a skylight problem, I think I'd go at it from a different angle. I like the idea of the snaps. Make a stop at your local JoAnn's fabric or Hobby Lobby, etc and get some white fabric backed vinyl. Cut to size and allow enough for a decent hem all around. Invest in some of the heavy snaps - Lowe's/HD or such and the little tool to attach to the frame and corners of the vinyl. The other way to attach is with that indispensable sticky back Velcro. You could just use a small 1" or so piece in the corners and maybe one in the middle or go all the way around, but that would let you remove them when you want to or leave them up. Sorry, but I just can't get excited about a great TT with something to detract from it when it's just as easy to do something that looks nice. No offense intended.

[ECones]

Jay Pat wrote:
I used Krylon Fusion spray paint(for plastic surfaces) and gave the exterior surface 2 light coats (they were not perfect coats).
Cut down the light and the heat.
Pat

I like that idea. I could replace a couple of the screws on each side with eye screws or just get some stick-on hooks and use some small colorful bungies to hold them up.

Hmmmm....... 😉

[sausageking]

For our two sky lights I used Reflectex. I dropped the inner sky light lens and cut a length of Reflectex so it fits snug against the outer lens then reinstall the inner and it holds the insulation in place. I left the narrow ends clear to allow some light in and it help keep a lot of heat out.

[CavemanCharlie]

I too did the foam rubber trick. I found some that was some part of a bed at one time. It's about 1.5 inches thick foam , fairly stiff, and dark gray in color. I cut it a bit to big and then I stuffed it in the vent. It blocks all the light and the heat too. When I want I just remove it and throw it on the bed. I usually install it at night so the light doesn't bother me in the next morning.

[facory]

They make a foam cushion for skylights. Stuff into them. You can also use a pillow or other cushion that fits. They also make a shade that mounts to the ceiling and is pulled across the skylight. It has a recoil that pulls it back in when not in use.

[Jay_Pat]

I used Krylon Fusion spray paint(for plastic surfaces) and gave the exterior surface 2 light coats (they were not perfect coats).
Cut down the light and the heat.
Pat

[Dog_Folks]

An easy way? Measure the skylight size, they are probably about 13" across. Go to Walmart or your other favorite department store and buy a pillow just a little larger.

Stuff it in the opening, and if it won't stay, run a light duty bungee cord across the opening. We have used these pillows for years now, especially in winter to keep drafty air out.

You now have an insulated, light blocking vent cushion similar to the one shown here:Vent cushion

Hope this helps.

[BubbaChris]

When I was shopping for my TT, the Lance trailers had snap-on covers for their skylights. Those might be worth hunting down if you're willing to mount the other half of the snap to your ceiling/skylight.