Are your RV windows unusually extra-wide, i.e. wider than the typical 48 inches (121.92cm), and looking for the widest blinds & shades that can cover the whole window as a single piece? Don’t worry! Extra-wide blinds & shades for RV windows are easily available on both brick-and-mortar and online stores.
Some custom width roller blinds, such as Diamond RV Roller Shades Light Filtering can measure beyond 102” (259cm) in width, so you can cover two adjacent 48” windows with the same window and add an extra 3 inches (7.6cm) to each side. Likewise, a single piece of maximum width of roller blinds can cover 3 consecutive 32” (81cm) RV windows.
However, mini blinds and faux wood blinds don’t usually measure beyond 182.8cm (72 inches). However, you can join them end to end with glue or safety pins to make them extra wide.
Scroll on to learn more about the maximum width of different kinds of blinds and shades for RV windows.
When You Need to Look for Large Width Blinds for Your RV?
- Have a luxury “Class A” motorhome with oversized or panoramic windows
- Want to cover 2, 3 or more standard size (32” to 48”) window with a single blind or shade
- Want to hang fabric as a decorative wall covering
- Extra coverage of RV windows for better privacy, light control, noise cancellation, and thermal regulation
4 Benefits of Oversized RV Window Coverings
- Better insulate your RV against hot and cold weather (According to the US Department of Energy, when fitted well, blinds can prevent summer heat gain through RV windows by up to 60% and reduce winter heat loss by up to 40%.)
- Give a modern look to large RV windows
- More effectively shield RV windows against scratches, UV wear, and stone nicks
- Entirely cover large odd-shaped RV windows
Disadvantages of Oversized RV Blinds
- Operational difficulty – Being heavier than standard blinds, they are hard to raise and lower, requiring more energy and putting stress on the lift mechanism.
- Costlier – may not be manageable within your allocated RV renovation budget
- Space consuming – require more installation space than small width blinds
- May not be drive-friendly – may not stay in place when driving
Expert Advice
Jay Floyd, a window measurement and installation expert with over a decade of experience in the industry, recommends motorized Roman shades for oversized RV windows. It will make the operation both convenient and safe. He advises against using slatted blinds, as the slats may bend or twist with frequent use.
Maximum Width of RV Blinds
- Diamond 1 Inch Cordless RV Mini Blinds – minimum width: 18” (45.7cm, 457mm), maximum width 72” (182.8cm, 1828.8mm)
- Sierra RV 2 inch Faux Wood Blinds – minimum width: 20” (50.8cm, 508mm), widest blind width: 72” (182.8cm, 1828.8mm)
- Alpine Collection Soft Roman Blinds – minimum width: 12” (30.48cm, 304.8mm), maximum width for roman blinds: 115” (292.1cm, 2921mm)
Safety Tip
When buying new extra-wide blinds for your RV, always go with a cordless, CPSC-approved lift option. New US Federal regulations prohibit the sale of the most corded custom window coverings for homes and motorhomes due to severe risks of strangulation, injury & even death to the children.
Maximum Width of Various Models of RV Shades
- Topaz Double Cellular RV Shades – minimum width: 18” (45.7cm, 457mm), maximum width 72” (182.8cm, 1828.8mm)
- Platinum Top Down Bottom Up RV Shades – minimum width: 19” (48.26cm, 482.6mm), maximum width 72” (182.8cm, 1828.8mm)
- Onyx RV Blackout Shades – minimum width: 19” (48.26cm, 482.6mm), maximum width 72” (182.8cm, 1828.8mm)
- Sapphire Zebra RV Roller Shades Light Filtering – minimum width: 12” (30.48cm, 304.8mm), maximum width 94” (238.76cm, 2387.6mm)
Practical Advice
When looking for the widest blinds for your RV windows, make sure to choose high quality, durable fabrics so that they can withstand their own and resist warping, cracking, and fading due to excessive sun exposure during long travels during hot summer days.
What If You’ve Already Purchased Small Width Roller Blinds?
No worries! Here’s a DIY solution to save your investment! Join narrow width roller blinds edge to edge using glue, fabric tapes, or safety pins to make them extra wide. The new joined blinds will roll up and down as a single window covering.
How to Measure RV Windows for Blinds?
6 Tools You’ll Need
- A tape measure (especially steel measuring tape to ensure accuracy of measurements)
- A lead pencil and a piece of blank paper (to record values)
- A clip board (for holding paper when recording RV window measurements)
- Calculator (to take the average of multiple values)
- A level tool (to take accurate width measurements, for a tape measure tilted above or below 180-degree will lead to greater than actual values)
- Step ladder (if your RV window is hard to reach)
Precaution
Remove the old blinds, as they may interfere with the measurement process, especially leading to greater than the actual values.
Pre-Measurement Expert Tips
- Before you start measuring the width or height of your RV window, check for and remove obstacles like RV window handles and trims.
- Take multiple measurements (at least 3) for both width and height and take the average of the recorded values. If the values are in fraction – say 24.9” – round them off to the nearest whole number (in this case 25”).
- Do measure the depth of the RV window, if you plan to mount the new blinds or shades inside the window recess.
4 Easy Steps to Measure RV Windows
- Step 1: Start measuring width from the bottom, with tape aligned parallel to the window sill.
- Step 2: Move the tape vertically upward to the middle of the opening to take the second value for width. When recording values, make sure the tape is perfectly levelled at 180-degree, no more, nor less.
- Step 3: Take the 3rd value for the width at the top, along the horizontal top of the window frame.
- Step 4: Take 3 values for the height, while moving from left to right, i.e., left, middle, and right.
Post-Measurement Expert Tips
- Never forget to make appropriate deductions in the fabric or ask the manufacturer of the RV blinds to do the same to ensure smooth, frictionless up/down sliding of the fabric
- Note down markings on the tape that lie just inside the edges of the window opening
- For inside mount RV shades, order the shortest of the 3 values.
- For outside mounts, take the average of the three values and add an extra 3 to 4 inches to each, i.e., 6 to 8 inches for each of the width and height dimensions.
How to Measure Maximum Width of Blinds & Shades for an Outside Mount
- Step 1: Measure the window opening at its widest point, i.e., left wall edge to the right one (not the window frame).
- Step 2: Take measurements at three points (bottom, middle, and top) & record the largest value.
- Step 3: Same sized fabric as the window opening will cause light bleeding and privacy leakage along the edges. So, add extra fabric (preferably 3 to 4 inches) to each side.
How to Measure Maximum Width of RV Window Treatments for an Inside Mount
- Step 1: Thoroughly dust and clean the window, removing any layer of dirt on the frame.
- Step 2: Measure the RV window opening at its narrowest part, i.e., inside the window frame (excluding the frame hardware).
- Step 3: Measure at three points (bottom, middle, and top) & highlight the shortest value (not the average).
- Step 4: Deduct half an inch from the shortest measurement. Use this value as the actual width when ordering new blinds for your RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the widest blinds you can buy?
Platinum RV Roller Shades Light Filtering, with 261.62cm width and 304.8cm drop, are probably the widest blinds on the market you can buy for your RV windows, offering the largest RV window and square-meterage coverage. Vertical blinds can be even wide but they are not travel-friendly – they’ll sway in a speeding camper truck, compromising both privacy and light control.
How wide can you get shades?
If you choose Cobalt RV Day & Night Shades or Diamond 1 inch RV Mini Blinds, they have the maximum width of 72 inches. If you are looking for something even wider, consider 94” wide Sapphire Zebra Cordless RV Roller Shades Light Filtering. They are not just wider but also more aesthetically appealing and a safer choice, thanks to their striped design and cord-free construction.
Platinum RV Roller Shades Light Filtering, as they are available with custom widths of up to 103 inches.
What are the best blinds for a wide window?
- Flat Roman shades – The XL models of flat fold Roman blinds are our top recommendation for wide windows. They measure up to 115 inches (2921mm), enough to simultaneously cover three 38”-wide RV windows in a row.
- Roller shades – Light filtering roller blinds are made from sturdy, lightweight fabrics and can be as wide as 103 inches (2616.2), which makes them an ideal choice for wide or extra wide RV windows.
- Motorized Cellular Shades – These RV blinds can be mounted on up to 72” (1828.8mm) wide RV windows and raised or lowered using a wireless remote at the comfort of your RV sofa.
What is the widest width for roller blinds?
Diamond RV Roller Shades typically measure 24” (609.6mm) to 72” (1828.8), but some can be ultra narrow – just 15 inches (381mm) – or extra wide, measuring up to 103 inches (2616.2mm). If your RV window is 48”, you can easily cover two adjacent windows with a single extra wide roller blind.
Expert Tip
Always order made to measure wide roller blinds for RV windows. And ask the manufacturer to make the deductions for you (which are typically around ½”) to ensure better coverage & smoother operation.
Need More Help?
We are ready to further assist and provide information about the accurate width of blinds and shades for RV windows. Contact our experts for consultation using 24/7 Live Chat or call (800) 490-5720 or email support@rvblinds.com today!