Recently I had posted in another thread about poor air conditioning performance.
I did notice tons of heat radiating from the windows of the coach with direct sunlight on them. I tried closing all my blinds and it didn't help much and even decided to try Reflectix on the inside of the windows. Fortunately I was warned about the potential damage that could occur using Reflectix on the inside of insulated windows. After much consideration I resigned myself to find exterior shades.
After reviewing many options I stumbled on the EzSnap product. I liked the fact that they had a fastener solution to mount the shade directly to my glass which would allow full operation of the frameless butterfly opening windows. The EzSnap fastener attaches to the glass with a black plastic snap adhered to the glass with 3M adhesive backing. Once the snaps are in place and the rest of the snap assembly in attached and the screen is on the screen can be quickly and easily detached for cleaning/travel.
Installation was fairly labor intensive as the screen material comes on a large roll and you have to cut the final dimensions for each window. It also takes a bit of time to place each fastener on the glass in the proper position. The beauty of the frameless windows is that there is a solid black border on the glass and I placed my snaps on the edge of the glass on this border so you can't even see the snaps from inside the coach.
The best thing is these made a huge difference in the heat level in the coach (even though I have yet to install a shade on my large rear window because I didn't have enough snaps). Before I installed these shades you could put your hand up to the window with the interior shades down and feel the heat radiating into the coach. With the EzSnap shades I can barely feel any heat in the window even with direct sunlight hitting the window. I can also see right through the shades. They have about the same translucency as the factory interior mesh roller shades. I don't feel like I have to live in a dark cave to stay cool. My AC system now maintains my set temperature and cycles on and off instead of running continuously.
Obviously we'll have to wait and see how the shades and snaps hold up with time but I was so happy with the result that I used some extra shade material to make a cover for my shower skylight as tons of heat enter the coach at the skylight.
Paul
Would you be willing to insert this write up under Owner Modifications. It would be a great help to others with the same issue and aalso will be in our library where it is easy to find
Thanks
Curious about what you mentioned. "being warned about the potential damage that could occur using Reflectix on the inside of insulated windows".
What are they saying?
Steve
Yes Shane. When I do my large rear window I'll take additional pictures of the snap installation and write something up.
Curious about what you mentioned. "being warned about the potential damage that could occur using Reflectix on the inside of insulated windows".
What are they saying?
Steve
Steve it was initially mentioned in this thread -
I had already purchased and cut the Reflextix to fit the inside of my windows when this concern came up. I spent quite a bit of time researching this on the internet and many people indicated they used Reflectix on the inside of their windows without issue but many also warned against it. The main concern is that the reflected heat on the inside window surface can get so hot that it caused the seals in the insulated windows to fail. Prior to owning my Redwood I owned a National Class A diesel motorcoach that had insulated windows. Over time several of the windows had the seal fail and began to cloud up between the glass panes. It looked awful. If indeed using the Reflectix on the inside would cause this I wasn't going to take a chance. I also did not like that the Reflectix completely darkened the coach. I felt like I was living in a shoe box.
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GipC because I applied the snaps directly to the glass I do have a small gap between the glass and the screen but nothing close to 1/2 inch.
EZ Snap's shading mesh is called Thermo-Weave and is an optical grade. It is designed to reduce view distortion and weave variance while still blocking up to 90% of the sun’s heating and damaging U.V. rays. I can see very well through it from inside the coach. It looks like a regular bug screen. From the outside it is very dark during the day which I like for the privacy. I'm very very happy with this product.
x
Could it be possible for you to snap a picture from inside then coach looking out at the scenery ? I want to see how clear it is, if it is..
I may be interested, when we sit at the beach 3 times a year, we have sun on the curb side
( all the windows ) almost from sun up, to sun down. AND is usually too windy for the awning.
Heck , we love keeping our door open and just having the screen door with the RV door buddy installed, BUT that let's ALL the heat in also. if its clear, I would but some on the door..
Hi Steve, I'm not an RV expert but I had two insulated double pain windows in a spare room upstairs that took straight afternoon sun. I thought I would be smart and put Reflectix on the inside. Keep the room so cool and dark. Third day I went in for nap and was awoken by a large snap. Turns out the panes on both windows snapped. According to the installer who replaced them, you have to block them before the sun hits the glass or you trap the heat in insulated windows and they can't stand the pressure.
I'm no expert but thats my experience.
x
x
Hi Steve, I'm not an RV expert but I had two insulated double pain windows in a spare room upstairs that took straight afternoon sun. I thought I would be smart and put Reflectix on the inside. Keep the room so cool and dark. Third day I went in for nap and was awoken by a large snap. Turns out the panes on both windows snapped. According to the installer who replaced them, you have to block them before the sun hits the glass or you trap the heat in insulated windows and they can't stand the pressure.
I'm no expert but thats my experience.
John,
Just want to make sure I am reading this correctly. So... if the Reflectix is put on the inside of a window before it heats up it may be OK??? The main danger is if you put it on after the window is already hot?
The reason I am asking is because I have had a piece in my bedroom window nor for some time. Maybe I should take it out.
Steve
x
Hi Steve, I'm not an RV expert but I had two insulated double pain windows in a spare room upstairs that took straight afternoon sun. I thought I would be smart and put Reflectix on the inside. Keep the room so cool and dark. Third day I went in for nap and was awoken by a large snap. Turns out the panes on both windows snapped. According to the installer who replaced them, you have to block them before the sun hits the glass or you trap the heat in insulated windows and they can't stand the pressure.
I'm no expert but thats my experience.
John,
Just want to make sure I am reading this correctly. So... if the Reflectix is put on the inside of a window before it heats up it may be OK??? The main danger is if you put it on after the window is already hot?
The reason I am asking is because I have had a piece in my bedroom window nor for some time. Maybe I should take it out.Steve
Steve,
The way I took it was NOT to use at all with dual pane windows during the day.. From Gregg's detailed post above, that backs that up..
We used the stuff in our last fiver that had dual panes, but it was used at night only. We only had those pull down cloth say/night things that did not block ANY light so we used them at night so the kids would NOT be up at 6AM..
