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Old 08-10-2008, 11:22 AM   #1
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CURTAINS VS. DAY/NIGHT SHADES-WHICH IS BETTER?

What has been your experience with the day/night shades? Do they last? Do the curtains keep someone from seeing into your van better? I just saw on the forum how the shades gap on the sides of the windows.

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Old 08-10-2008, 11:38 AM   #2
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We love our Day/Night shades. Only thing is, you have to make sure you have the non see-thru shades down at night (especially when your changing), because you can see in the van very clear from the outside. We had a Westy with curtains and it was sort of a mess. Day/Night shades are definitely neater.
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Old 08-10-2008, 02:26 PM   #3
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I like them but I boon dock where I am not worried about creeps. I am looking into some insulated shades but for now if I want privacy I have cut out refletix to fit into the window...helps temperature and blocks out everything. You can read more here. Only my opinion though.
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Old 08-10-2008, 04:49 PM   #4
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Same here. If I have to worry about privacy, I'm not where I want to be.

Still, I have the curtains on my doors and shades on my windows. They all work fine.
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Old 08-10-2008, 09:44 PM   #5
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My day/night shades frayed and the rope split, cost me shipping to have it restrung in Indiana (original manufacturer).

They also don't fit the window 100% and don't seem to provide insulation. In the middle of the day they don't block the sun or heat.

I do like them and they are good quality, would probably get them over curtains. But I'm going to add inserts so I can do 100% blackout when needed, with curtians that might not be necessary.
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Old 08-11-2008, 07:30 PM   #6
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This may be a belt and suspenders situation....

We are very happy with our Day/Night shades and their ease of use. They are doing a great job of shading the interior and diding the interior day or night.

We are looking for ways to better insulate for the winter and insulated curtains may be the way to go. My talented wife can probably make us some insulated curtains.

I have been surprised at how well the sahdes keep the sun out. We are having a HOT summer and they really seem to help, but I don't know how curtains might work....

(we are having a HOT summer.... 44 days over 100 when we normally only have 11 or 12, and 85 days in a row over 90)
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Old 08-11-2008, 10:43 PM   #7
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SNAPS ADDED FOR CURTAINS

SMBW said they could install snaps along the window trim for snap-in curtains I might get or make later to cover any gaps.

I am getting the day/night shades option.

Thank you for your input and Dave B for the reference to your pictures.

Angel
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Old 08-24-2008, 09:26 PM   #8
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I have the day/night shades AND snap in curtains.

You can see through the day shades into the van at night when the lights are on. You can't see into the van with the night shades, although you can see that the lights are on.

With the snap in curtains, the van is completely blacked out, light wise, plus it adds a level of insulation in the winter. I even had one made (by SMB) for the ceiling fan. The fabric of the curtains matches the walls of the van.

By my request, my side door curtain covers both doors (one curtain) and I have the same for the rear.

Originally, I only had the day/night shades and added the curtains a couple of months after delivery.

The foil / bubble wrap works really well for added insulation, although I think it looks terrible in the windows.
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Old 08-30-2008, 01:51 AM   #9
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Thank you for your suggestions and your pictures. SMBW said they will add the curtains I want. I have a few questions first.

Why did you choose to have one curtain to cover both doors instead of two? If you had two, could you have opened the doors with the curtain on? Did you have two curtain pieces that came together for the side window?

Angel
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Old 08-30-2008, 10:44 AM   #10
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FWIW, I think you'll love the cruiser top. Our Sporty, recently acquired from its second owner, is a '93 with cruiser and still has all the original stuff. We've got curtains on the one long side window in the cruiser top and on the side and rear doors, with day/night shades on the two windows in the body proper and a snap-in curtain for the windshield. This has all been knocking around the great Pacific northwest for 15 years - it all still looks and works great. We DO go where there are creeps and curious little kids; all buttoned up our rig is quite private inside. We LOVE the day/night shades where they are but would not want them on the doors, even if they would work right there, which they would not. This thread has helped me too, with the hints about ugly-but-practical inserts for winter insulation. Enjoy your new rig!
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