
Thermal blinds are an essential addition to any camper van, helping to keep the van cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. They also provide privacy and can block out sunlight, making it easier to sleep. While professional thermal blinds can be expensive, costing upwards of £50, it is possible to make your own thermal blinds for a fraction of the cost. This typically involves using materials such as foil-backed bubble wrap insulation, plastic fluted board, and carpet, and attaching them to the windows using suction cups or tape. With some time, patience, and basic tools, you can create effective thermal blinds for your camper van.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Materials | Foil-backed bubble wrap insulation, loft insulation, leftover carpet, foil insulation, fluted plastic board, thermawrap insulation, glue, duck tape, plastic suction cups, Reflectix insulation, pre-quilted fabric, double-fold quilt binding bias tape, newspaper, marker pen, scissors, spray adhesive, sewing machine, clothespins/binder clips |
Purpose | To provide privacy, insulation, and to keep condensation to a minimum when sleeping in the van |
Cost | Much cheaper than buying pre-made thermal blinds for camper vans, which can cost £50+ for a set |
Tools | Marker pen, scissors, drawing pin suction cups, measuring tape, lighter, spray glue, contact adhesive, white spirit, sewing machine, clothespins/binder clips |
What You'll Learn
Measure window spaces and create templates
To make thermal blinds for your camper van, the first step is to measure the window spaces and create templates. This is probably the most difficult step in the process, but it is important to take your time to get it right. Start by measuring the windows you need to cover, including the windscreen, to ensure you have enough materials.
For the templates, you can use thin paper, such as fish and chip wrapping paper, and a marker pen. Push the paper sheets into the corners of the window and draw around the edges. Work your way around the window, ensuring the paper covers the entire window. Once you have the outline of the window drawn, cut out the template with scissors. Repeat this process for each window, creating a template for each.
Now that you have the templates, you can use them to draw around on the plastic fluted board. This will create the base for your blinds, so it is important to take your time and ensure an accurate fit.
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Cut out plastic board
Now, using a craft knife or Stanley knife, cut out the plastic board on a suitable surface. You can use a 4mm floor protection board as it is a cheap way of buying it. Alternatively, you can use brands like Corex, or any other fluted plastic board that comes in many brands, colours and thicknesses.
Once the board is cut to size, try it in place to see if it fits. Don't worry about it being perfect. If there are small gaps, make a mental note of where the gaps are, then you can ensure there is extra Thermawrap in this area to fill the gap.
You can also use a marker pen to trace the outline of the board onto the Thermawrap. Ensure that you have the shiny foil side on the outside and the clear bubble wrap side stuck to the board.
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Cut the Thermawrap pieces
Now that you have your fluted plastic board cut to size, it's time to prepare the Thermawrap insulation. Using the plastic board as a guide, trace the outline of the board onto the Thermawrap with a marker pen. Ensure that you want the shiny foil side facing outwards, and the clear bubble wrap side will be stuck to the board. Cut out the Thermawrap piece with scissors, and set it aside.
Repeat this process for all the windows, ensuring that you cut the Thermawrap to fit the plastic board for each window. It's important to do this for each window individually, as they may vary slightly in size. Once you have all the Thermawrap pieces cut out, you can move on to the next step of gluing them to the fluted plastic board.
For the gluing process, apply a thin layer of glue to the fluted board. You can use a spray glue or a simple glue stick for this step. Carefully place the Thermawrap piece onto the board, making sure that the silver side is facing outwards. Smooth out any bubbles or creases, and ensure that the Thermawrap is securely adhered to the board.
Repeat this gluing process for all the windows, and allow the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next step. It's important to work with one window at a time to avoid any confusion or mistakes in the placement of the Thermawrap pieces.
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Duck tape edges
Now you can use strips of duck tape to secure the edges. Long straight strips should be used on the long edges and multiple thin pieces around corners. You can use any brand of duck tape, but a better-quality tape will make the blinds last longer. I used this Diall Silver Effect Duct Tape from DIY.com.
I recommend using a decent brand of tape so it sticks well and lasts. Once the whole edge is securely taped, you can try the blind for size. Any small gaps can be prevented by adding a piece of duck tape to the area by making a small flap that extends outwards to cover any gaps.
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Fit the blinds
Now that you have your blinds, it's time to fit them into your camper van. This process will depend on the type of blinds you've made or purchased, but here are some general instructions and tips:
Firstly, you'll want to ensure that your blinds are the correct size for your windows. Measure the windows carefully and cut the blinds to size if necessary. It's better to err on the side of caution and cut the blinds slightly larger than you think you need – you can always trim them down later.
Once you're happy with the size, it's time to attach the blinds to the windows. One common method is to use suction cups, which can be purchased online or at hardware stores. Place the suction cups in the corners of the windows, pushing them through the covers so that the cup is on the outside of the van and a small handle is on the inside. For larger windows, you may need to use more than four suction cups to ensure the blind stays in place.
If you don't want to use suction cups, another option is to create a snug fit for your blinds. Cut the insulation just a little larger than the window so that it wedges into place. This method works well for smaller windows, but for larger ones, you may need to add additional support, such as loops of tape or string that can be hooked onto something inside the van, like a door handle or latch.
When fitting the blinds, it's important to consider the direction of the lines on the insulation. Cutting the shades so that the lines run up and down will create a more stable blind than if the lines run side to side.
Finally, don't be discouraged if your blinds aren't perfect. As The Nester says, "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." The important thing is that you're creating beautiful memories while enjoying the comfort and privacy that your new thermal blinds provide.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need foil-backed bubble wrap insulation, a marker, scissors, and drawing pin suction cups.
First, measure the windows and cut out the insulation to size. Next, add suction cups to the corners of the insulation. Finally, seal the edges of the blinds with a lighter or tape.
Making your own thermal blinds for a camper van can save you money, as store-bought thermal blinds can be very expensive. They can also help keep your van cool on sunny days and warm on cold days.