Black Out curtains DIY or buy

[newoldguy]

My GF bought some sun block material from a fabric store and made some sliding curtains for our travel trailer. They really help!


I bought a new custom fit Sunbrella cover for my boat that has a ten year warranty so with the old one she salvaged the clean parts and made custom wheel covers for the tandem axle wheels on the travel trailer and the spare tire. She also made tire covers for the boat trailer as well. The top of the line Sunbrella material is not cheap, but they do last!

[NaoVan]

Ive been reading about this and i have a burning question: why the black fabric?
If black is known to be the best (worst?) heat absorbing material, why is that its used so frequently when the goal is to reduce heat? (aside from the black out effect). Surely, a dark tint or paler colour instead would be better?
Also, from what i get, the point of the reflective material, is to REFLECT the sun. So, covering it up, negates that benefit yeah? and also reduces/removes the "air barrier" that apparently makes reflexic so effective.
I don't like the look of reflexic, and am trying to remain pretty stealthy, so i want to cover it, but really think black fabric is not the way to go, if maintaining a cool interior is my main goal.
Finally, even if the insulating effect overcomes the heat absorption, on the inside of the van, aren't you creating a superhot glass surface?
thanks in advance! Nao

[Seattle350]

Originally Posted by NaoVan

Ive been reading about this and i have a burning question: why the black fabric?
If black is known to be the best (worst?) heat absorbing material, why is that its used so frequently when the goal is to reduce heat? (aside from the black out effect). Surely, a dark tint or paler colour instead would be better?
Also, from what i get, the point of the reflective material, is to REFLECT the sun. So, covering it up, negates that benefit yeah? and also reduces/removes the "air barrier" that apparently makes reflexic so effective.
I don't like the look of reflexic, and am trying to remain pretty stealthy, so i want to cover it, but really think black fabric is not the way to go, if maintaining a cool interior is my main goal.
Finally, even if the insulating effect overcomes the heat absorption, on the inside of the van, aren't you creating a superhot glass surface?
thanks in advance! Nao

I’m trying to keep heat in and light out.

[marret]

I haven't done extensive testing yet, but reflectix with black fabric still seems to do the same. The air pockets are still there. Still seems to reflect. I also want to keep sun out, which it still does. Plus, with the black fabric and tint, it just looks black so one can't tell it is there. I'm a believer.