Do your roller blinds not align well with the RV windows, causing ‘light gaps’ between the fabric and the frame? These gaps can compromise your privacy, sun protection, and comfort, by letting in light, heat, dirt and even road noise? We have an easier, quicker gap fixing solution! Read our 10 DIY RV roller blind gap fixes to block light, improve blackout, and a lot more!
What Causes Gaps in RV Roller Blinds?
- Mismeasuring the width and height of your mobile home’s window when ordering new blinds
- Making excessive deductions in fabric in inside mounts
- Not adding 3 to 4 inches of fabric to both width and height when doing an outside mount
- Some of the slats are not properly back-stringed, creating gaps between slats even when closed
- Blind is unevenly or crookedly cut at the sides.
- Misalignment of brackets, above or below 180-degree, prevents one end of the bottom rail from perfectly lying on the RV window sill
10 Quick DIY Gap Fixes for RV Roller Blinds
1. Ensure High-Precision Measurements of the RV Window Dimensions
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions to measure the RV windows for roller blinds to ensure high-precision, gap-free fit.
- Record values in w x h (width x height) format.
- Take each measurement thrice and get the average.
2. Make the Right Deductions – A Preemptive Measure to Prevent Light Gaps
When mounting roller blinds or shades inside the RV window recess, you’ll need to make necessary deductions (shortening of the fabric width-wise by 1/4th or ½ of an inch) to allow for operating space on either side. Blinds without proper deductions will cause friction and jamming of the fabric when rolling up or down. On the other hand, extra-deductions will cause light to seep in, around the edges of the blinds.
Expert Advice
When buying new RV roller shades for windows, always ask the seller’s customer care staff to make the right deductions. Only provide them with the accurate width and height measurements, preferably in inches, rounded off to the exact 1/8th of an inch. Leave the rest on their professional expertise to ensure the perfect fit.
3. Consider Blinds with Oversized Fabric to Prevent Gaps
Outside mounted roller blinds with oversized fabric, adding 3 to 4 inches to each width and height, will allow maximum overlap and better coverage on your RV windows.
Design Tip
Consider roller blinds with a space-saving design, i.e., those made from sleek, wrinkle-free, foldless fabrics and a smart, compact hardware. This will help you utilize minimum space in your recreational vehicle.
4. Choose Blackout Fabrics with 99% or More Opacity
Fabrics with 99% opacity (only 1% openness) will block nearly all light from entering your RV travel trailer. If you go for 100% opacity, the results will be even better. Total darkness. No light penetration, to help create a night-like environment during the day.
5. Make Sure Fabric Touches the Frame or RV Wall When Rolling Up/Down
When installing the roller shades for blocking out all light and other benefits, make sure the roller mechanism sits on the brackets closer to the rv wall (outside mount) or window frame (inside mount). This will make the fabric slide closely against the wall when rolling up or down, preventing gaps of even a fraction of a centimeter.
6. Add a Blackout Liner
Light blocking liners are an inexpensive add-on to eliminate light gaps and enhance the ‘blackout effect’ of an RV roller blind. They are easy to install on an existing window covering.
Practical Tip
Re-measure the RV windows when ordering a liner, and make sure it’s larger than the original blind, with additional fabric – big enough to effectively fill the gaps. A liner can also be a perfect filler for gaps created due to damaged or blocken slats or too loosely woven fabric.
7. Quick 3-Minute Paper-Taping Method for 1” Gap Fixes
- Step 1: Cut paper into 3-inch wide stripes, measured to the entire height of the fabric for each side.
- Step 2: Tape the paper strips to the back of the blind, with 2 inches coverable the fabric and remaining 1 inch extending beyond the edges, to fill the light gaps.
Note: As the paper might be very thin and fragile, use soft cardboard or back of a notebook instead.
Decor Tip
If you want to retain the decor of your RV roller blinds, use the same-colored paper as blinds. If the same colored paper isn’t available, consider creating a contrast and giving it a hem-like look. You can also make drawings on the paper for a heightened decorative effect.
8. Apply Sealant Strips – a More Practical Tight Seal Method
Made of rubber or foam, sealant strips are a quick and durable way to block light from coming through the sides of your RV’s roller blinds. They can instantly & effectively fill gaps and create a tight seal between the blinds and the window frame.
- Step 1: Apply one side of the adhesive strip to the edge of the roller blind.
- Step 2: Attach the corresponding strip to the outer side of the recess of the RV’s window frame.
- Step 3: Press both the strips together to create a snug, light-blocking seal.
Note: For better results, get specialized vinyl light blocker strips and thoroughly clean both the blind and the window frame before applying them. After application, press the strips firmly to adhere properly and create an effective light blocker.
9. Secure Blinds to Windowsill – Fill Gaps Due to Flapping of Fabric
Do your RV roller blinds flap in the wind, their bottom letting in light, dirt, and road noise in? Here are two solutions:
Solution 1: Select heavier, wind-resistant fabrics when buying new blinds and choose a weighty headrail that sits stable on the window sill.
Solution 2: This is a DIY option. Secure the blinds to the RV wall or window sill using anchors, tie-downs, or weights.
10. Install Side Tracks – a Permanent Solution to Totally Eliminate Gaps in Roller Blinds
Side tracks (slim aluminum channels) are a highly effective and durable option to permanently eliminate light gaps on the edges of blackout RV roller shades. With the fabric edges locked into the tracks, the blinds won’t let any trace of light, wind, dirt, or heat into your mobile home.
Design Tip
Make sure the side tracks are perfectly aligned at 90-degree, so they won’t interfere with the up and down movement of the fabric.
How to Accurately Install Roller Blinds on RV Windows to Prevent Gaps
- Step 1: Measure the width & height of your RV window at three different points and use the smallest values for inside mounts and the largest value for outside mounts.
- Step 2: Align and install brackets at 180-degree.
- Step 3: Secure brackets with screws.
- Step 5: Snap the headrail into place.
- Step 6: Test the window coverings for smooth operation and make adjustments, if needed.
For detailed instructions, read our easy step-by-step installation for DIYers.
FAQs
How to fill a gap between two blinds?
- Option 1: Install adhesive light blocking strips between two adjoining RV blinds. Strips are narrow fabric or plastic bands that can be attached to the window frame or the blinds themselves.
- Option 2: Install center rails between two blinds that are separated 3 to 4 inches from each other. Center rails can be styled to match both the blinds.
- Option 3: To create a tight, heat- & light-blocking seal between two blinds, use side channels or pelmets.
- Option 4: If you are looking for a more permanent solution, switch to outside-mounted blinds and overlap the fabrics at least 3 to 4 inches.
How do you block gaps between blinds?
Are your mobile home’s windows so wide that you need to hang two or more blinds to cover each opening? The edges of independently rolling blinds may allow light seepage. We recommend overlapping consecutive blinds by at least 3.5 inches. To prevent the roller tubes of the two blinds from intersecting, you’ll need to use oversized brackets for one of the blinds.
How to re-tension RV roller shades?
If your RV roller shade does not roll up properly, the spring tension might be too loose. Nothing to worry about! You can re-tension your roller shades for speed and stop position in a minute, without taking them down. Follow this simple 3-step process:
- Step 1: Locate stop and speed adjustment wheels on either end of the roller mechanism.
- Step 2: Turn the stop wheel to the left or right to adjust the tension to the position where the shade will stop when it is rolled up.
- Step 3: Turn the speed-knob clockwise to make the shade roll up quicker for you. Or go counterclockwise to slow it down.
Need More Help?
We are ready to further assist with fixing gaps in your RV roller blinds. Contact our experts using 24/7 Live Chat or call (800) 490-5720 or email support@rvblinds.com today!