Thanks for stopping by my website. My name is Annabelle Collins. My husband and I live in a large house with our two teenage children. We’re fortunate in that we’re able to have a cleaning service come and clean on a weekly basis. In the past, I found that it was difficult for me to exert myself when it came to hiring and communicating with our cleaning service. I’ve never been very authoritative, and that shone through in a not good way. I wanted things to be done in a certain way, but found it difficult to ask for what I wanted. I have come to realize that in order for the service to do the job I want to be done, I have to ask for it to happen. I doubt that I’m alone in the fact that this is difficult, and want to share my experience and growth.
If you've recently purchased a recreational vehicle, otherwise known as an RV, a must-have accessory you'll need would be functional window treatments. Buying window treatments for a motor home is a bit different than dressing the windows of your house. A moving vehicle needs more tension control, privacy options and protection from the sun's harmful rays. Also, RV windows are typically smaller than a house window, and in some cases, oddly shaped, which may require a custom application.
Keeping those factors in mind, what points should you consider when choosing window treatments for your motor home?
1. Measuring for a Perfect Fit
If you're installing your window treatment inside your vehicle, you'll need to measure the top, center and bottom sections of your window from inside. For mounting outside your vehicle, allow several inches of extra width and length to overlap.
2. Obtaining the Best Window Treatment Style
For windows that aren't protected by film coverings, your main options will be shades or blinds. But what style should you choose?
Cellular Shades: These pleated shades offer aesthetic appeal, and they are energy efficient as well. They are probably the least complicated window treatment to install inside your motor home. You'll find they are also good for your light-filtering needs, and they're durable enough to withstand constant use.
Solar Shades: This type of window treatment is another good choice for your motor home or camper. Solar shades will provide privacy and UV protection, without costing a small fortune. Good insulation is another advantage of solar shades. It will keep your motor home cooler during summer and warmer in winter.
Aluminum Blinds: These are durable and rarely need replacing. Light-control is a major advantage. Unlike window shades, you can control the amount of light that filters in by a simple adjustment.
Shutters: This may be the most practical solution for motor home window treatments. How so? Besides being extremely strong and long-lasting, shutters will offer the tightest fit for your RV windows. This is important for any moving vehicle that is subject to jarring and vibrations.
Curtains: This is an affordable option for many, although it may not be the best choice. Although you'll have options in terms of patterns, colors and fabrics, you may find cleaning your curtains to be a chore. Curtains are more likely to become soiled from dust and pollution, therefore they're not as easily cleaned.
3. Ease of Maintenance
Whatever style of window treatment you choose, it must be easy to keep clean. Unlike your home office, bedroom or living room, your RV is subject to environmental dirt and debris. When you consider the exhaust fumes, street pollution and sand your vehicle is subject to, you may find yourself constantly cleaning the RV blinds if you don't choose wisely.
If you select fabric window treatments, be sure they can be hand or machine washed easily. Fabrics that require dry cleaning only is not merely inconvenient, it will be an expense. Fabrics should also be able to be removed and replaced without a lot of difficulty. If you choose blinds, they should be easily cleaned using a duster or mild soap ad water.
Wooden blinds offer the aesthetic appeal of rustic decor for a camper, and they are easily cleaned with a microfiber duster or hand-held vacuum cleaner.
4. Privacy
Ensuring privacy in your motor home is a must. If you park your RV at campgrounds or other public areas, you will be subject to other motorists and campers all around you. To ensure privacy on smaller side windows, consider the peel-and-stick applications made of vinyl.
These films are easily removable and may be reused over again. Static cling film offers privacy without obstructing your view. Keep in mind, state laws may prohibit you from installing these on front windows and windshields.
5. Protection from the Sun's Ultraviolet Rays
Your window coverings should offer a degree of UV protection. Without this protection, your vehicle is subject to harmful deterioration from the sun's strong rays. The sun-blocking materials used in these coverings can protect your furnishings inside your vehicle as well.
6. Ensuring Safety
Safety should not be overlooked when installing window treatments for your motor home. Dangling cords from window blinds are a hazard for small children and pets. For this reason, you should avoid window treatments with tassels, cords and other embellishments that may pose a strangulation risk. Choose cordless blinds if you travel with young children and pets, and avoid tie-backs, as these may also pose a strangulation hazard.
Final Thoughts on Motor Home Window Coverings
In conclusion, take your time when selecting window treatments for your motor home. Buying your recreational vehicle wasn't done on the spur of the moment, and neither should the accessories you purchase for it. Just as RVs will differ in design and functionality, the window coverings you choose must suit your needs and be the right fit.
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