Summer Sun and Keeping the RV Cool

One of the challenges while living full time in an RV is balancing the love of having lots of windows against trying to keep the RV cool during those extreme high heat summer days. My dad owned this particular RV before we bought it and he installed small awnings over all the windows that were not covered by the big awning. These are a huge benefit because you can still use the windows to enjoy the scenery during the day and they are shaded so it helps tremendously in keeping the indoor temperatures much more enjoyable! These small awnings are well worth the additional expense!

However, there are windows that one can’t not simply add an awning, or the cost may be too prohibitive to do so. Thus we have a secondary solution. We have used this solution at our home before as well as in our other campers and it works well and is cost effective. We purchase a roll of window cling film which you can buy in hundreds of sizes and styles from hardware stores and online at places such as Amazon. You simply cut the cling film to the size of the window, use a spray bottle of water to apply, and a credit card to work out any bubbles in the film…then you are done. It’s fairly simple and it is removable and reusable. Make sure you purchase the cling kind and not the permanent affixed kind of film, as there are two different types of this product. This is obviously for long term parking. Use your normal curtains and mini blinds for short term parking… but for a long term parking beautiful solution, this is fabulous! For short term parking we have a pile of tradition window thermal blockers that we use in conjunction with the factory affixed curtains and mini blinds. But those become cumbersome if you want to look outside or open a window for a short while to enjoy a fresh breeze in the morning. Not to mention Conestoga Chuck does not approve because he has to have a window to look out as well!

For our RV we simply removed the window screens and used those as our template to cut the film. Then trimmed it once placed on the window. Be sure to pay attention to the trimming and placement where the windows slide open… so when you open the windows they don’t snag the film and pull it off. If placed properly you should be able to open the window with no problems. You can also label these with a magic marker so you know which window to put them on when you take them down and go to reuse them the next time. They are very nice for areas that are traditionally hard to put shades such as drivers and passenger windows and door windows. I like the stained glass look. They block a tremendous amount of thermal heat but still allow for diffuse light so you don’t feel like you are living in a dark bat cave such as with using the traditional thermal curtains, pop up window screens and blinds etc.

I love the look they give and the fact that you can match your decor easily. The ability to still open your windows (without a big fuss) to enjoy the cool morning breeze before it becomes so hot you need to turn on the AC. These are a no fuss no muss easy solution and don’t take a degree in engineering to install. they also provide a bit of privacy if that’s your goal. You can get simple tinted versions that are see thru, but I just love the stained glass look so very much!

This cling film is so nice I often use it in bathrooms and bedrooms at home and you can get artistic and do some cutouts for a different look if you only want to partially cover a window. So many uses, so easy to use, and so very beautiful! It’s a winner! I always get compliments when we do the windows with this type of product! Home and RV! Love it!