Privacy, warmth and style!
Once you have decided that you are going to use your van to sleep in, a couple of thoughts pop into your head. For me, the first two thoughts were privacy and warmth. I have a Honda Odyssey and I love it for the mileage it gets compared to an RV and the stealthiness (is that a word?) that it provides. There are millions of Odysseys out there so it blends right in at a Wal-Mart parking lot or on a city side street. That being said, it is made almost entirely of windows which prompted my two earlier questions of warmth and privacy.
Getting those two items on a budget was also a top priority since this whole caper started with me quitting my job. There really is nothing out there made specifically for this purpose, I guess not too many people decide that traveling and sleeping in a 2006 Odyssey is for them. At least not enough to warrant some company creating and selling insulated window shades. Even if they did, I imagine the price would be too steep for my consideration. Also, I like the DIY aspect of this whole adventure and it allows me to customize my window shades to my liking.
As you can see in this picture I decided to do my window shades in the style of Monet. I’m not really sure why I chose that, perhaps it was because I had just visited the Art Institute of Chicago and really took a liking to his work. Probably didn’t hurt that this fabric was on sale at the fabric store either. However, they turned out nice and provide a nice, warm atmosphere in the back of the van.
It is a surprisingly easy project and can most likely be completed in 4-6 hours for the motivated individual. I took my time since my first trip was still a few weeks out and spaced each part of the project out over a couple of days.
We can start first with all the items you’ll need. Here’s a quick list of all the tools and supplies you’ll need to complete this project in one sitting. Everything can be had through Amazon and if you click my link you help me afford this nomad lifestyle (BTW, I use that lantern in link in the van at night, fantastic)
- Reflectix
- Nashua Spray Adhesive (two cans)
- Sharpies
- Fabric (not what I used, but super cool looking)
- Scissors
- Duck Tape
- Nail Polish Remover (only needed if you make a mistake with the adhesive or get too much on your hands)
- Rags (see above)
- Tape Measure
The 25 foot roll of Reflectix wound up being the exact right amount. My initial measurements were extremely rough just so I could get pieces of the Reflectix in the general size of the windows before bringing them into the van and tracing out the exact measurements for a tight fit.
So the first step was just hopping in the van taking rough measurements of all the windows. This involved just measuring the width of the windows since the height of the insulation is only a few more inches than the window itself at 24 inches.
Once I had my seven pieces of insulation cut the next step was to get in the van and get down to making these fit precisely. Some Odyssey owners out there might be asking isn’t there technically ten windows on that van. Yes, as a matter of fact there are the windshield and the two teeny tiny slivers of window in the back. Surprisingly enough, the leftover piece of Reflectix after you’ve cut your seven bigger pieces will just about exactly fit the windshield. Also, I bought these window covers for the front windshield as well and either double up with the Reflectix behind the covers or just don’t bother with the insulation at all.
As for the two slivers of window, I just grabbed some of the cut off pieces at the end of the project and used those to make the fitting.
So, now I had to cut these rough squares to fit the unique design of the Odyssey’s windows. I initially thought this would be much easier since at first glance it looks like all the windows are relatively square or rectangle. Wrong! Not even close. These windows go on angles, have rounded corners, or 84 degree corners. Even this picture doesn’t really do it justice, and getting in behind that seatbelt contraption is a project unto itself.
So, I had to do some thinking and even though it is very basic, this worked. I jammed the insulation into the window and then used the sharpie to trace around the edge and give me a guide as to where I should cut. As crazy and imprecise as this sounds, it works. I left some edge since I knew I would be putting a bit of trim on the edge of these and also since you can tuck it into the seam between the window and the plastic that makes up the interior of the vehicle.
This was probably the most difficult and time-consuming part of the entire project, but it was worth it to go slow. In fact, I would just do bits of it at a time, jamming the thing in the window, tracing, then cutting off just a bit, jamming it back in the window, tracing again and then cutting again. As you can see it worked out pretty well. This picture was taken on a pretty sunny day along the lakefront in Chicago.
A very helpful hint here once you have cut out a window is to use your sharpie and mark each piece with its location on the side that we won’t be spraying and covering. For example once I cut the rear passenger sliding door window piece I marked it as such with the sharpie so I knew that the side facing out to the world was not the side that I wanted to adhere the fabric to and also so I know in my travels which window it goes on.
So now that I have my Reflectix cut to the size of the windows it was time to adhere the fabric and trim them with the Duck Tape. I had my doubts that this would work. For one, I thought the spray adhesive would seep through the fabric and cause a mess. Two, I did not think the Duck Tape trim would work at all. I was wrong on both counts. Through several uses these things are still holding up. I can’t recommend the Nashua Spray Adhesive enough, it did exactly the job.
For this part I laid out a bunch of cardboard boxes for my workspace. The spray adhesive is not kidding when it states that it is sticky, so having some extra boxes to replace the ones that get all gummed up in the process proved to be quite helpful.
Much like I did when I cut the Reflectix to the rough size of the windows, I cut the fabric to the rough size of the Reflectix pieces I had. After that, it was time to spray the adhesive and see what happens. I covered the piece of Reflectix quite thoroughly, waited a few minutes as the directions state, and then laid my piece of fabric down and plopped the Reflectix on top. I then flattened out the fabric as best possible. After a few minutes of letting it dry take the scissors and cut the excess fabric off. Voila! I now had an insulated window shade that was also stylish.
The Duck Tape trim wasn’t really necessary, but I thought it would help prevent the fabric from fraying and also provide a bit more secure edge to put these in the windows. I do not have to use any Velcro, magnets, etc. to keep these in the window, friction alone does the job. I have even driven with them in the windows and they don’t move at all, it is a very secure fit. Plus, I do kind of like the look the trim provides. This part is easy, I just applied the tape around the edges to the best of my ability.
So there you have it, insulated privacy covers for my Honda Odyssey. The cost was somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 with my desire to have Monet as the interior of my van the main factor in the price. If you are comfortable using old bed sheets, random fabric you have lying around the house or the cheaper stuff for sale at the fabric store this project could be done for even less.
I could not be happier with the results and these have performed admirably for me in my travels. I went from Chicago to Scottsdale Arizona for Spring Training and had several nights in the van at Wal-Marts and state parks. They provided plenty of privacy and enough insulation, coupled with my 20 degree sleeping bag to keep me warm enough through the night. And that includes a sub-freezing night in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Santa Fe.
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Great write up joe!!!
Thank you Joe for this blog. We are starting the process of converting a van into a living space for camping & your blog is super helpful. We plan to follow your directions to make our own privacy/insulated window coverings.
Thank you!!!!!
Also, looking into following the rest of your conversation plan.
Jeff, Jagger (our Yorkie) & Maria
This was super helpful! I’m considering living in a van 75% of the time when I transfer to a university in the fall so I don’t have to take out such high student loan amounts to pay for housing. This helps me see that the “little” things like privacy can be remedied without too much of a headache. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Thanks for reading, glad I could help. Good luck!
I live full-time in my car. So this was very useful. But how does it stay on the window?
Regards
Maryann (Denmark)
They are snug enough on the fit that friction does the job.
That’s a BIG ditto here! Thank you!!
What a great idea! I love your photos and details. I covered mine with contact paper but I like your cloth Monet’s much better. I think I’ll make a set like yours for my next trip because I wasn’t thrilled with the contact paper pattern selection. I can find something to match my bedspread and curtains using fabrics. I use both curtains & reflectix. Using curtains adds a layer of privacy & it’s not as dark inside during the day but they aren’t private or dark enough at night. You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m constantly improving my set up!
Yeah, these work great for privacy and give enough darkness to sleep, even in a wal-mart parking lot.
We are doing this with front windows sun screens from the dollar store.
I hope they will be thick enough we just need for sleeping in a Suv. Thanks for all the information.
Glad I could help, good luck!
This is a great post! How do you address ventilation issues? I will be renting a 9′ U-Haul van and camping for about a little over a week in the dead of summer in the desert (Burning Man)- so hot//Hot//HOT during the day, and cold//Cold//COLD at night. Wondering the best way to ventilate without allowing lots of dust in….?
Sorry for the late reply. I just opened the moonroof on the van and have a good sleeping bag.
We made screens with screen fabric & duct tape trim around the edge with magents inside the tape. They attach on the outside of van and the windows can be left open but no bugs get in. They work great!
Good idea!
Great idea! I’ve painted reflexit and covered it with contact paper but was not entirely satisfied either way. I’m definitely going to try the fabric. (Don’t recommend paint, heat transferred some paint to glass window & I can’t get it off) Heat is our worst enemy in minivan camping. The vans just have too many windows to stay comfortable on warm days without reflective window covers. The reflexit works well to keep cold air out too (as you mentioned).
I used water based contact cement from Home Depot to stick reflexit to the fireglass shell of my cadet camper and then again to stick fabric on that. Wonderful stuff with no awful brain-rot smell like the voc stuff, and I found sticks way better. I think I will make some insulating window covers for the trailer but the back and front windows slant in at an angle, Any suggestions as how to do a gravity defying fasten ?
Maybe velcro or magnets, I have seen both used with success.
I’ve used reflexit only; relexit with outside painted because silver showed too much. (As stated above, don’t do it. The heat transferred the paint to the window – permanently). and then contact paper on inside only. Which looked ok but not great. I’m going to glue fabric to inside next as you’ve described.
Now I’m thinking of using your idea to glue black felt on the outside. Do you think the felt glued outside can take the heat?
I think so, that spray glue is made to take a beating
Thanks very much for all the info! I’ve got a Nissan Note and want to do some window panels like this.
Just one question, and pardon me if I’ve missed something! But, how do they stay in the windows? You mentioned “friction” but I don’t understand how that works. Does the Reflectix just adhere to the window and stay there until you pull them off? Thanks again! 😀
They fit snugly against the windows and will go into the space between the glass and the plastic around the windows.
Wonderful blogpost thanks so much for sharing .
Thanks for reading, I appreciate it. JOE
Besides aesthetics, what purpose does the fabric serve? I’m thinking of making the window covers with just the reflectix but will add fabric if necessary. Thanks for the post!
Solely aesthetic purposes.
If I covered the outside facing part of the reflectix with black cloth would it still insulate as well? I’m asking because I don’t really want all that silver showing. Black would be less conspicuous.
I think it will still do the trick with insulating. I like the idea of black on the other side to be more inconspicuous, good idea!
Have black on one side and the reflectix on the other. When you need to be stealthy just swap the cover to the window needed to have the black fabric showing. When you need the sun reflected away put them in the opposite window with the silver on the outside.
Wonderful! I made some after I read your well written instructions! I had black on one side (facing out) and had a 10.00 bolt of fabric that took care of the inside.
This was months ago. Today, we pulled them out and they’re a little “bendy” and not wanting to stay in place. So I took tiny suction cups and attached them to the black side (facing out) using a safety pin. Perfect solution! The back window panel stays on even when the back hatch/door is open.
You really have made our road trips and van camping much nicer!
Thank you for sharing!
Linda
Awesome! I am glad it worked for you too! Happy traveling!
Hi ,many thanks
How do you store? How much room do they take up in the vehicle?
Sorry for the late reply, been away from the computer for a bit. They roll up and I wrap a bungee cord around them, after that I put them wherever I have room until the next night. Thanks, JOE
I roll them up and use bungee cords to keep them rolled. I then just put them wherever there is space, they rarely get in the way when not in use.
We just bought a 2018 odyssey. Love it and plan on camping in it. I love how detailed you were cover this topic. I plan on trying it. Is there any issue with the van being pretty air tight.. I guess I mean is there enough oxygen for two adults and a dog to sleep in there? Is that sill to worry about?
We are senior citizens and love to travel love to drive.
I’m jealous of your brand new Odyssey. I have had no issues with breathing, I usually leave the sun roof open a crack anyways to get some airflow. My girlfriend and I have slept with no problems, so I imagine you will be fine. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
I live in a hot state and want to travel thru other hot states, so I think “heat”. It does get cold sometimes in TX. So, my question is this: Does one put the silver side to the outside in summer, to reflect heat, then turn it around, reflecting in for the winter. What is purpose of lining inside of van with reflectix?
I have the silver side out all the time since the fabric I glued to it is on the other side. The purpose of lining the inside for me is more privacy that insulation. Having spent some cold nights in New Mexico I can tell you that I don’t think the Reflectix insulation is super insulating, but it does afford privacy and some minimal insulation. You’re always going to be subject to hot and cold with sleeping in the van, unfortunately.
Hello. Great post and ideas. I have a question. My biggest concern and goal is to have 100% light blocking. Do these accomplish that goal? If not, I’m thinking light blocking curtains could be used as the fabric. But they are pricey so first wondering if the Reflectix does this job, of total light blocking. Also, does this install method leave gaps around the window edges that let in light? We’ve struggled for years even at home to get total light blocking. So I know it’s not easy but that’s our goal. This looks very promising just wondering about these couple of issues. Thanks again for a great post!
I like your ideas and have a small avan .I might use some of your ideas. Im in Australia. Thanks.
I have a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country and I love your plans/design for the side window blinds. My question is about the front and rear windows, they have a steep slope to them. I’m concerned that without having something to hold them in place that they fall down which could be very annoying. So here’s my idea. Putting a grommet in each corner of your blind design and using some of those command removable wall hooks on the window and hook the blind to them so they stay in place. I wonder if when the rubber on the hook gets hot if it will fall off of the window and if suction cups would be better. I’m usually not a fan of suction cups because they fall off after a while. Thank you.
Excellent ideas!! We had a 2006 Grand Caravan and I used fibreglass screen on the inside of the “wing windows” in the back to keep out insects. I used the red ‘Tuck tape’ to secure it. We found some extra long bungee cord and hook ends and used two pieces for curtain rod. They went through the seatbelt eyes where needed and we used the dry cleaner hooks to help support it in the middle. We bought a cheap shower curtain and cut it in half. Used a hole punch to make holes on the cut edge and duct tape as reinforcement. This worked very well for our trip to Alliance Nebraska for the total solar eclipse. We sold that van and have purchased a 2017 Grand Caravan so we are looking for new ideas and have found some excellent ideas here. Thank you!!!
TIP: It would be easier to glue the cut-to-shape insulation to the fabric and then trim the fabric than to try to cut out the fabric to match the shape. Just a thought.
Franky Sharp here, of Franky Sharp Records.
Now why don’t you do the right thing and supply us with your window width measurements?
To address the dust concerns in a desert…. they have reusable air conditioning filters at the home improvement stores that have no frame so buyers can cut them to size. They are more expensive than regular ones because they can be washed.
thanks for sharing