Prepare Your RV for Spring and Summer Travel
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
Maybe you’ve just pulled your RV out of winter storage and are getting it ready for the road again. Or, maybe you’re just switching gears from the winter to the spring/summer camping season. Either way, one of the best preparations you can make is to apply specially designed do-it-yourself window film to make traveling more comfortable.
If you are an average RVer, you will spend over five weeks and 2,700 miles in your coach this year. It becomes your home-away-from-home as well as your transportation. Comfort is very important to you and window film is an excellent way to increase it.
What Is Window Film?
Window film is micro thin metalized polyester, bonded by adhesives and applied to glass surfaces to provide significant solar protection. It reflects heat, blocks up to 99 percent of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, and deflects harsh, uncomfortable glare while allowing glare-controlled sunlight to pass through.
Heat control window films adapt to the changes in the seasons, reflecting the hot sun in the summer, and re-radiating interior heat in the winter. Privacy films can help you maintain a level of security without darkening your windows and making you feel like you are living in a cave.
Window films are long lasting, too, and are much easier to use and maintain than traditional solar screens and shades. Screens provide good protection, but they must be removed during travel and they block your view. Many window films are so light in appearance as to be unnoticeable on the glass, and they can last as long as ten to twenty years before they need to be replaced. At about $1.25 per square foot, film is an economical way to increase your living comfort and protect your vehicle.
How Do Solar Control Window Films Protect?
Typical windows offer some degree of sun protection, blocking most of the sun’s skin-burning UVB rays, but not deep-penetrating UVA. Exposing a vehicle’s interior to UV can cause deterioration of furniture, upholstery and window treatments. RV window films block up to 99% of both UVA+B rays, protecting both the interior of your coach and you - as you enjoy the ride.
Metalized heat control films actively reflect as much as 70 percent of the sun’s heat back towards the source, keeping the interior cooler during the summer. The result is superior driving comfort and fewer loads on the air conditioner. In winter, these films can help retain up to 55 percent of the radiant heat that would normally escape through the glass.
The sunshine is great when you’re at the beach or hiking through the woods. It’s not so great when you are trying to watch TV or play cards inside. Glare control window films can enable you to cut that glare completely by filtering the harsh sunlight.
Privacy films can increase your sense of safety and security without darkening your windows in places where you do not want someone to look into your vehicle. These films look like frosted glass and are also excellent for use on shower doors.
Can I Do This Myself?
Absolutely. Window film technology has improved greatly over the past several years, bringing with it more user-friendly products. In addition, RV windows are flat glass, which makes applying film much easier. Complete instructions are available inside each roll of film, and the basic tools needed are a spray bottle, firm squeegee and utility knife.
Windows must be completely clean and free of contaminants before applying film. With patience and the proper tools and time, anyone can get a professional-looking tint job in just a few hours. Each manufacturer’s application instructions may vary somewhat, so it is important to read them carefully to achieve the best-looking tint job.
Window film is easy to clean and maintain, too. Using a clean, soft cloth and a non-abrasive window cleaner ensures that the film will look good for a long time. Most films are available with a scratch resistant coating so they can take the day-to-day wear of RV living.
Is there a Cost Benefit?
Of course, for you and the environment. The average cost for tinting your own vehicle is around $30 to $100 - depending on the amount of film needed - compared to as much as $500 for professional installation. In addition, the benefits received for such a small investment make window film an excellent afternoon project, resulting in a safer, more comfortable and attractive vehicle.
The environment benefits from the added fuel economy which film can generate. According to Lisa Killen, Automotive Marketing Manager at CPFilms, manufacturer of GILA brand window film products, “When you run the air conditioner, you are burning more fuel and emitting more pollution. Reducing heat gain by up to 50 percent improves the efficiency of your A/C so you can run it at a lower fan speed, burn less fuel, and reduce pollution.” These savings are especially important if you drive a motor home that has a larger glass area than most vehicles.
Do-it-yourself RV window films are currently available through mail order. For more information about GILA RV window films and to get a free packet of film samples and product information, call 1-800-528-4481 or visit the company Web site at www.gilafilms.com