Want to know about different ways to mount blinds, shades, or curtains on your RV windows? Unsure which method will best provide aesthetics and functionality? Inside recess mount, inside flush mount, outside top fix mount are some of the practical options. This blog post explores various types of mounts that can be used for RV blinds, with pros & cons of each, so you can choose the right option for your unique needs and space.
Choosing the right type of mount for blinds is one of the most common points of confusion for RV owners and renters alike. The way your RV blinds are fitted doesn’t just impact how they’re installed – it affects how they look, operate, and perform (provide privacy, light regulation, insulation, and noise cancellation).
Scroll on to learn more about different mounting locations and placements for RV window coverings in simple, jargon-free language.
7 Different Types of Blind Mounts for RV Windows with Pros & Cons
1. Interior Mount – Hang Internally Without Direct Sun-Exposure
Pros
- Will serve as an important interior decor element
- Sunlight will first strike window panes, preventing fading of the blinds’ fabric
- Protected from strong winds when your drive through open landscapes or hilly areas
- Will collect less dirt, dust and pollens
- Support both inside recess and outside face-fix mounts
Cons
- Will occupy precious space in the interior of your RV
- Will remain hidden from view on the outside, if RV window panes are closed
2. Inside Mount – A Space-Saving Option with Sleek Look
Pros
- Clean, uncluttered aesthetic
- Fitted closer to RV window panes, trapping in a column of air for insulation
- Require less fabric and mounting hardware – save $10 to $15 on purchasing cost
- Ideal for smaller RV living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, & driver cabins
Cons
- Possibility of light, smoke, and noise entering your RV through 2-3mm gaps along fabric edge and window frame
- Unsuitable for shallow depth (less than 2.5”) camper windows frames
3. Inside Flush Mount – Deep Recessed Mount for Sleeker, Built-in Look
Pros
- Fit snugly and sit flush within the frame
- A perfectly streamlined, modern finish
- Enjoy fully uninterrupted view to the outside when the blind is retracted
- Improved insulation – reduced gaps where light, heat, and drafts creep in
Cons
- RV window frame needs to be deeper than in simple inside mounts – at least 3” deep for cordless spring roller blinds and 3 ¼” for motorized blinds
- Will block some view and light when fully opened (due to fabric stacking at the top)
- Not compatible with vertical blinds, or thicker doubled layered cellular shades
4. RV Ceiling Mount – Best Option to Cover Larger, Odd-Shaped RV Windows More Effectively
Pros
- Can significantly enhance aesthetics, energy efficiency, privacy, and light control in your RV
- Do not require any contact with the window – an ideal alternative for low-depth RV windows
Cons
- Increased cost (nearly doubled) – will need lots of more fabric to cover RV wall above and below the window
- Risk of kids and pets getting entangled in the blind fabric itself
5. Outside Mount – Get Better Coverage and Largeness
Pros
- Create a 3-4 inches or more fabric overlap with window wall for better blind performance (privacy, light control)
- Make your small RV window look bigger and larger
Cons
- Will occupy more space in your RV – not suitable for small vehicles
- Extra fabric – extra cost
6. Multi-Window Interior Mount – Cover 2, 3, … All RV Windows in a Single Go
Pros
- Single headrail installation for multiple consecutive/adjacent RV windows
- Save on installation charges
- Use a single operating mechanism to simultaneously cover/uncover 2, 3, 4 or all contiguous windows
Cons
- Headrail will get loosened or fall with heavy fabrics
- Individual windows cannot be covered, partially covered, or uncovered independently
7. External Mount – First Layer of Defence Against UV Damage to RV Windows & Interior
Pros
- A strong element of RV’s exterior decoration
- Less possibility of light seepage along edges due to fabric overlap and slightly outward curvature of RV walls
Cons
- Need to the screwed to the RV exterior wall to withstand wind pressure
- No recess mount available on the exterior
- A less popular option
- A sort of fixed external blinds – no possibility of raising, lowering, or adjusting the fabric for light regulation in the interior
3 Quick No-Drill DIY Mount Styles for RV Blinds
1. No-drill Adhesive Mount – Effortless, Screwless, Damage-free Installation
Pros
- Easy installation in 3 steps – cutting, tearing, and pasting adhesive strips
- No falling, no holes, and no damage to the RV walls or window
- Removable, reinstallable stick on blinds without leaving stains – best for rented RVs
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy fabrics, such as drapes and triple-cell honeycomb blinds
- Will not work well on uneven or dented surfaces
Professional Advice
Make sure the adhesive tape is double-sided, has a strong viscosity and is at least 2.5cm (1 in) wide to ensure strong grip of strick on RV window shades on the surface.
2. Instant Magnetic Bracket Mount – Strong, Durable, and Reliable Installation without Any Tools
Pros
- Made from heavy duty powerful magnets that hold fast to metal windows and doors
- Can hold up to 22 lbs. (10kg) blind weight
- Less likely to deform or break over time
Cons
- Only suitable for steel or metal widows or doors
- Don’t add a design element to a mobile home’s interior
3. Tension Rod Mounting System – Super Quick to Install with Zero Technical Know-how
Pros
- To tools, screws, or skills needed to hang new RV blinds on windows or doors with 4-5” recess
- Time saving – just push tension rod into window frame or recess and adjust/level it using a spirit level
- Tensions rod system works best with lighter RV blinds, like sheer curtains and single-cell honeycomb blinds
Cons
- Not suitable for very wide or heavy blinds (over 7 lbs.) – pressure may not be enough to keep them in place
- Less secure than other no-drill options, like adhesive or click-in blinds
How to Install Blinds in an RV?
8 Simple Tools You’ll Need
- A tape measure – preferably a 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 spirit level tool – for accurate width measurements, for a tape measure slightly tilted above or below 180-degree will lead to greater than actual values
- Drill – for creating secure bracket holes in the recess (inside mount) or wall (outside mount)
- Screws and wall plus – usually included in the product package, but check your wall type for compatibility
- Step ladder (if your RV window is hard to reach)
Note
Make sure to double-check measurements before you drill.
5 Easy Universal Steps to Install RV Blinds
- Step 1: Measure width and height of the surface where you want to mount new RV blinds, i.e. recess for an inside mount or area around the wall for an outside mount. We recommend taking three measurements for each dimension and taking the average.
- Step 2: Drill bracket holes (if needed) – for tension rod or magnet mount blinds, you won’t need drilling holes.
- Step 3: Secure brackets into the holes using screws. (Skip this step for bracketless RV blinds.)
- Step 4: Attach the handrail to the brackets or directly to the inside of the recess (in case of tension rod) or metal RV window frame (in the case of magnetic mount shades).
- Step 5: Hang the fabric on the headrail and enjoy raising/lowering for slatted-blinds, cellular shades, or Roman shades, and roll up/down or roller shades.
Note
For a dedicated, detailed guide for various mount types, read “How to Install RV Blinds & Shades”.
Expert Advice for Energy Efficiency
Always ensure tight, edge-to-edge fit when installing blinds in your camper truck. “When installed with a tight fit”, claims US Department of Energy, blinds and shades can prevent summer heat gain through RV windows by up to 60% and reduce winter heat loss by up to 40%.
3 Potential Installation Difficulties with Viable Solutions
- Uneven or crumbly RV walls (Solution: Go for an outside mount alternative and do wider 5-6 inch overlaps to each side)
- High-up or hard-to-reach RV windows (Solution: Motorized blinds and shades)
- Unusual RV window shapes or sizes (Solution: No-sew DIY curtains to be hung with drapery wire and clip rings)
Professional Tip
If you find it hard to deal with installation difficulties, consider professional installation services for a flawless finish.
Installation Cost
In the USA, labor costs for installing RV blinds typically range from $20 to $100 based on location and complexity. If your camper is parked in a city hub and you want to cover an easy-to-each bathroom window, the installation will charge $20 to $40. On the other hand, if your travel truck is on the outskirts of the city and needs to install a blind on a hard-to-each kitchen window, a professional installation will typically charge $80 to $100 or more.
Expert Advice for Child Safety & Legal Compliance
No matter which mounting style or lifting method you choose, child-safety in your RV is crucial. Always install and use kid-safety mechanisms, like cleats for cords and chains. A better alternative is to 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, and even death to the children.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get RV blinds to stay up?
Option 1: For indoor blinds, use hold down brackets to keep them in place and prevent them from swinging.
Option 2: For outdoor blinds, use tie downs that are installed in the ground.
Option 3: If your spring roller blinds won’t stay up, tighten or re-tension the internal spring mechanism.
Option 4: If your motorized blinds won’t stay up, consider recharging/replacing batteries, or repairing the motor.
What are the different types of blind brackets?
- Mini RV Blind Brackets – small (2.5-3”), lightweight, L-shaped brackets, designed for inside-fit slender 1” aluminum blinds
- Wood/Faux Wood Blind Brackets – large (5.75-6.25”), sturdy box brackets to enclose and secure heavier, rectangular headrails
- Roman Blind Mounting Brackets – universal L-clip or box brackets to hold square or rectangular plastic or metal headrails for folding fabric RV shades
- Roller Shade Mounting Brackets – simple L-shaped brackets or clips to secure clutch or spring-loaded mechanism or a roll-up blind
- RV Cellular/Honeycomb/Pleated Shade Mounting Brackets – medium-sized (3-4.5”), snap-in brackets that easily clip into the blind’s thin, lightweight headrail
- Woven Wood Mounting Brackets – Heavy-duty clips or box brackets to hold weight of natural, dense bamboo material
- Sheer Shade Mounting Brackets – Sleek, low-profile clip-brackets to secure slim headrails of lightweight sheer fabric shades
Are RV blinds supposed to touch the window sill?
Not necessarily. The RV blinds should touch the window sill only when installed inside the recess. If they’re hung on the RV wall outside the recess, we recommend 7.5cm (≅3 in) to 10cm (≅4 in) lower than the window sill. Also, we recommend adding this extra margin of 7.5cm to 10cm to the remaining three sides (left, right, and top) as well, to reduce the issue of light, heat, and traffic noise leakage around the borders of the blinds.
Need More Help?
We are ready to further assist with choosing the right blind mount type for your RV camper windows. Contact our experts for consultation using 24/7 Live Chat or call (800) 490-5720 or email support@rvblinds.com today!