Looking for window blinds for your camper that are optimized to provide accurate light control, privacy, energy efficiency & other benefits in different weather & road conditions? Explore our curated selection of 7 best RV-friendly window coverings to enhance comfort, convenience, & functionality in your camper truck.
Scroll on to read this A to Z guide for selecting the right window blind, shade, shutter, or curtain for your RV camper.
Why Look for RV-Friendly Window Coverings? Here’re 9 Reasons!
- Space-saving design – sleek, compact construction, optimized for small motorhome space, compared to spacious stationary residences.
- More durable and energy efficient than regular blinds used in brick-and-mortar houses.
- Designed to withstand harsh road conditions, such as vehicle exhaust, vibrations, and increased privacy concerns on the road.
- Regulate light and temperature in your camper truck.
- Sturdier construction to withstand pumps and jolts while traveling on the road.
- More personalized – RV-friendly window coverings can be easily modified according to your RV’s interior, functional needs, and road conditions.
- Enhanced child-safety measures, such as total elimination of cords – avoid strangulation hazard, in the wake of RV windows and window covering typically lying within the easy reach of children.
- Easier to install, remove, and re-install – making unhanging and re-hanging of RV blinds a few-minute job!
- Rust-repellent construction – save on maintenance time and cost.
4 Popular Materials for Travel-Optimized Window Coverings
- Synthetic Fabrics – achieve durability, wrinkle-resistance, and affordability with synthetic materials like nylon, acrylic, and polyester. Polyester is the foremost synthetic fiber for making RV curtains.
- Polyester blends – outstanding durability and flame-resistant properties
- Aluminum – a lightweight, sturdy, corrosion-resistant, and low-maintenance option
- Natural wood – give organic touch, strength, and a warm finish to your RV window treatments with hardwood, like oak and basswood shutters, or softwood woven fabrics such as those made from reed, jute, bamboo, banana stems, palm, abaca, and water hyacinth.
Expert Functional Tips
- If you frequently travel in rainy weather, consider water-resistant options like polyvinyl laminates.
- For additional insulation and darkness effect, pair your RV blinds, shades, and curtains with blackout and thermal liners.
7 Best RV-Friendly Window Treatments for Your Camper with Pros & Cons
1. Cellular RV Shades – Get All-Weather Energy Efficiency
Pros
- A top pick for trapping the heat coming in through the RV windows
- Effectively insulate your RV for hot and cold weather
- Reduce unwanted summer solar heat through the RV window by up to 60%, according to the US Energy Department.
- Prevent winter heat loss through camper windows by 40% or more.
- Get softer, safer light, effectively filtered through the honeycomb fabric.
- Lightweight – easy to raise and lower.
Cons
- Honeycomb compartments of cellular shades will collect more road dust compared to flat panel roller blinds or smooth-slatted faux wood blinds.
- Double-layered (double-cell) blinds may be difficult to accommodate in low-depth windows
- More expensive than mini blinds
- Delicate construction – can be easily damaged during long travels
Typical Price Range
Prices for small 18 x 24 to oversized 72 x 84 travel-friendly cellular blinds generally range from $52 to $200. If you are not a DIY-installer, add $50 to $100 to the cost per window treatment.
2. RV Wood Shutters – Excellent Weather-Resistance without Blocking the View
Pros
- Sound and thermal insulation – quietness and comfort in noisy and heated traffic environment
- Slats can be tilted at 60 or 70-degree on the inside to provide privacy without blocking the view, if you are travelling through scenic spaces
- Allow snug fit for superior results
- In warmer weather, they’ll let in crossbreeze while still maintaining privacy
- Create a very earthy and grounded atmosphere in your recreational vehicle
- Unlike lightweight mini blinds, wood shutters will remain firm and stable, without becoming noisy in windy conditions or when you travel at faster speeds
Cons
- Pricier – cost significantly more than faux wood and aluminum blinds.
- Difficult to install as a DIY attempt – professional installation will add to the cost.
- Will occupy more space – may not fit an inside mount.
- Heavy – difficult to raise and lower.
Typical Price Range
Premium custom exterior shutters usually cost $300 to $700 per RV window treatment, ranging in sizes for 24 x 36” to 48 x 72”. However, basic pine shutters would cost $150 to $400.
Automation Tip
Want your heavy shutters to open and close with the press of a button at the comfort of your soft or bed? Look for wireless remote controlled or smart-home capable blinds at only a few $100 extra! Sharing her 12 years’ experience in the industry, Anne claims the “motorized RV window coverings offer ultimate luxury and longevity”.
3. Roller Shades – Sleekest Option for Privacy, Security & Light Control
Pros
- Minimalist, modern look
- Best option for an inside mount on thin RV walls – require only 2 ½” recess space
- Available in various opacities – from sheer to total opaque – to easily customize light and privacy levels in your motorhome
- Blackout fabric panels provide both darkness and energy efficiency
- Simple pull/push operation – ultimate convenience in raising and lowering your RV window coverings
Cons
- May flat in a speeding RV if the window is open
- To access the window handle, you’ll need to raise the blinds, compromising privacy
- Light gaps are very likely between the fabric edge and the window recess, which will let in harsh sun even when fully down
- When lights are on in your RV, light filtering roller blinds will give a distorted view of your RV’s interior
- Not suitable for shaped RV windows
Typical Price Range
Sapphire Zebra RV Roller Shades Light Filtering would typically cost $75 for a mini 12×12” window. However, you’ll need to allocate a budget of $200 for a 48×22” RV window, including the product and the installation cost.
Safety Tip
Are your little ones traveling with you? Consider string-free rollers. They not only look cleaner but are also CPSC-approved and 100% conform to the New Federal Safety Regulations for Custom Window Coverings in the US.
4. Solar Shades – A Practical Option to Travel Through Sunny Terrains
Pros
- Made from special sun-resistant materials that block out ultraviolet rays and sunlight.
- Solar shades will protect your camper’s furniture and furnishing, while maintaining view to the outside.
- Effectively stop intrusive solar glare, if you need to work on screens while on the go.
- Lower your travel home’s energy bills.
- Available in multiple opacities – typically ranging from 1% openness to 14% openness – for varying degrees of light control and see-through.
Cons
- Limited privacy at night when lights are on in your camper.
- May suffer fading especially when exposed to intense sunlight.
- Prone to damage in windy, stormy weather.
- Partial blackout out – unsuitable for a camper’s sleeping cabin.
Typical Price Range
A 5% openness solar blind would typically cost $60 to $500 for window sizes ranging from small 15×24” to extra-large 108×108”.
5. Roman Shades – A Balance of Classic Aesthetic & Modern Functionality
Pros
- Give a touch of heighted luxury to your RV windows
- Available in top down bottom up design – get more freedom in customizing light from both top and bottom sections
- Choose from various fold styles – flat fold, soft fold, plain classic fold, European relaxed fold, etc.
- Excel in controlling light energy your RV
- Top notch privacy, noise reduction, and thermal insulation
Cons
- One of the costliest RV-friendly blinds – Surprisingly, you can buy six mini blinds ($26 per window covering) at the price of one basic model Roman shade ($175) for the same sized RV window!
- Poor elasticity.
- Give a rough hand feeling to your motorhome windows.
- More challenging to clean than flat panel window treatments.
Typical Price Range
Typical average price for a Foothill Collect Flat Roman Shade (a basic model) range from $175 to over $550 for 12×16” to 115×120” RV windows. But usually you don’t have windows of that much enormous size in your RV, do you? So, a standard RV window treatment will cost around $200 to $250.
6. RV Curtains – A Decorative, DIY-Install Option
Pros
- Made from a highly decorative fabric – contribute to the interior of your RV.
- Act like a protective shield for your motorhome.
- Effectively regulation the admission of light at the camper windows, thanks to their light filtering and room darkening opacities.
- Can literally block up to 95% light, when installed as a close-fit with zero light gaps along the edges.
- Easy to install and can be installed on any type of headrail.
- Easy to open/close and stack sideways, without requiring any lift cords or motorization.
Cons
- Least space-optimized design – requires more installation space than any other RV window covering.
- It is usually very difficult to achieve a tight fit with curtains.
- Heavy fabric curtains can collect road dust and get grimy fast.
- Susceptible to mold and mildew.
Average Pricing
Curtains are also an expensive option, but they comparatively cost less than those of Roman shades. For example, the regular sale price of sheer curtain panels varies from $60 to $350, depending on size, quality.
7. Mini Aluminum RV Blinds – The Right Choice for Your RV’s Small Windows
Pros
- Smooth, seamless look
- Precise light control, as the slats can be adjusted anywhere between 90 and 180 degrees.
- Easy to clean – simple dusting or a swift wipe with a soft, wet cloth.
- With slats tightly closed, 1 inch cordless RV mini blinds will act like a strong weather-shield, minimizing the impact of the exterior on the interior.
- Versatile styling – customize to fit various RV interior decor themes.
- Accessible for most budget – prices starting from as low as $26 for an 18 by 24 inches window opening
Cons
- May become noisy, if the window is open or the bottom rail is not fixed to the wall
- Thin 2mm slats will easily bend, negatively affecting closure and functionality
- Difficult to fix when damaged, offering requiring a costly replacement instead of an inexpensive repair
- When oriented at around 180-degree, the mini 1” slats will collect more dust particles and pollens, requiring frequent cleaning
Average Price
Diamond 1 inch Cordless RV Mini Blind – one of the best seller RV mini blinds – will typically costs less than $100 for windows as big as 72 by 72 inches.
Things to Consider When Buying New Window Treatments for Your Camper Vehicle
- Samples – Ask the manufacturer or seller if they provide free samples. If offered, a free swatch will help you determine the material quality and better match it with your decor.
- Measurements – Accurately measuring the dimensions of RV windows will lead to an accurate fit and accurate insulation.
- Functionality – Consider thick, opaque fabrics for better light control and energy efficiency, while sheer materials to enhance the decor.
- Harshness of Weather – For extremely humid or hot weathers, consider moisture-resistant (faux wood blinds) or heat-resistant (sun shades) options.
- Additional Attachment Hook for Bottom Rail – Order additional hooks or clips to attach bottom rail to the camper wall. It will prevent the fabric from fluttering or swaying in the wind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to use around camper windows?
Gaps around RV windows can let in dust, smoke, rain, and drafts, reducing comfort and increasing energy use and RV maintenance costs. The most effective, DIY-friendly, and affordable option to cover these gaps is to apply silicone sealant around these openings. Silicone seals are weather-resistant and flexible against vibrations – they won’t crack or shrink over time. Make sure to buy the same color sealant as the windows.
What is the newest trend in window coverings?
The latest trends in window coverings for RVs include:
- Smart, motorized, noiseless, inside-fit window coverings – maximize comfort, luxury, and protection on road.
- Ceramic films – block a significant portion of solar heat in the late mornings and afternoons, cutting down on your AC run-time and saving fuel or battery.
- Solar roller blinds – Protect the skin and stop fading of RV dashboards, fabrics, and wooden window trims from fading.
- Light filtering shades – Relax in a cozily lit interior at high noon in urban boondocks or crowded parks without closing blinds.
What is the best material for camper cover?
Being durable and strong, polyester is considered as the best all-weather, all-climate material for camper cover. It resists water, high-intensity UV rays and other elements. However, we recommend breathable materials like polypropylene for covering the side panels of recreational trucks.
Should I tint my camper windows?
Yes, you should tint your camper windows to:
- Add a cosmetic and functional protective element to your travel trailer
- Cruise cooler and look sharper on the road
- Reduce solar radiation and heat from engines
- Increase privacy and longevity of your camper and interior furnishings
Need More Help?
We are ready to further assist with material, design, size, color, and performance of window treatments for your RV. Contact our experts for consultation using 24/7 Live Chat or call (800) 490-5720 or email support@rvblinds.com today!