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Topic: KATE ----Your Window blinds/shades? (Read 38 times) previous topic - next topic
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KATE ----Your Window blinds/shades?
Yahoo Message Number: 64573
Kate, can you tell us where you found the blinds/shades pictured in the photos of your rig? Did they come from the factory? Sorry if you have already covered this and I missed it.

Dave and Carmen in Tennessee
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] KATE ----Your Window blinds/shades?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64576
Are you referring to the blinds in the Living Room?  They are what the factory supplies with new rigs.  The only difference is we took down the side valances.

Kate

In Serenity/Cholula, the Red 30TB  . . . Want to find us? Click
below, we're #3096

http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] KATE ----Your Window blinds/shades?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64588
Quote

Are you referring to the blinds in the Living Room? >

Yes, that's what I was asking about. Anyone know if they would be difficult to mount in an older unit?
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] KATE ----Your Window blinds/shades?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64590
One way to get them is to order replacement blinds from LD.  They will sell you a whole set based on the model of LD.  When I was out there a couple of years ago, to get a set of replacements (the new accordian type vs pulldown shades)for a RB was running about $295 or so.  I would think you could order them from a shade shop but you would have to figure out the dimensions.
 The only problem with replacing roller shades with these would be how to attach them.  I don't know know if they attach to the top of the valance or on the sides. I know some folks here have replaced the old shades so they can tell you how they did it.

Lynn Engelman
93 RB
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] KATE ----Your Window blinds/shades?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64594
In looking at my blinds, I believe they just screw into the overhead cabinets.  Doesn't look too hard, but I haven't tried it!

Kate

In Serenity/Cholula, the Red 30TB  . . . Want to find us? Click
below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096

Quote
On Mar 26, 2006, at 4:29 AM, joeltonjet wrote:
 

Are you referring to the blinds in the Living Room? >

Yes, that's what I was asking about. Anyone know if they would be difficult to mount in an older unit?

 
Re: Window blinds/shades?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64600
All the shades and blinds I've seen are designed to attach to the wall; the valances are just boxes over them. As most of you know, I threw my valances away right after buying Gertie, because I didn't want anything blocking that wonderful panoramic view...but in any case, putting new shades anywhere in a Lazy Daze is no big deal.
 I have an accordion blind on the rear window, mini blinds on the side and kitchen windows, and a cellular blind at the entry door. Any stores that sells blinds will have plenty of choices to fit your rig.
 I do recommend that you get blinds with cords that attach at the bottom as well as the top, so that they won't rattle and flap. (Of course this is a must for the inward-slanting rear window.)

Andy Baird
Benson, AZ
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Window blinds/shades?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64603
Quote
"I have an... cellular blind at the entry door."

Andy Baird Benson, AZ
Andy
 Could you be a bit more specific about that "cellular" blind on your entry door???

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Window blinds/shades?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64613
"Could you be a bit more specific about that 'cellular' blind on your entry door?"
 It looks like an accordion blind, but it has two surfaces joined by internal fabric strips to form hrozontal air pockets--hence the name. I figured the extra insulating value of this double- wall-plus-airspace construction would be a good thing. I got it at Home Depot; they cut it to exact width for me. If you do a Froogle seearch on 'cellular shade' or 'cellular blind,' you'll find lots of 'em.

Andy Baird
Benson, AZ
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Window blinds/shades?
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64614
Quote
"It looks like an accordion blind... If you do a Froogle seearch
on 'cellular shade' or 'cellular blind,' you'll

Quote
find lots of 'em."

Andy Baird Benson, AZ
Thanks Andy, I'll do that. I'm presuming then that they are operated by a draw cord of some kind???

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64615
Quote


"It looks like an accordion blind... If you do a Froogle seearch on 'cellular shade' or 'cellular blind,' you'll find lots of 'em."

Andy Baird Benson, AZ

Thanks Andy, I'll do that. I'm presuming then that they are operated by a draw cord of some kind???

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Here's a better look at them.
http://tinyurl.com/peu6p

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Window blinds/shades?
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64631
"I'm presuming then that [the cellular blinds] are operated by a draw cord of some kind?"
 Yes, a single cord. But you may be able to find similar blinds that have dual cords anchored at the bottoms (like my miniblinds and accordion blind). With that type, you simply grab the bottom of the shade and slide it up or down. I much prefer that system to fiddling with hanging cords.

Andy Baird
Benson, AZ
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64655
We replaced all of the factory installed accordian shades with cellular (aka honeycomb) shades.  We ordered them online and bought Hunter Douglas, but I think they are also available at places like Home Depot.  We bought the small size (3/8") with the full black-out feature -- this includes the outer shade (in lots of colors) AND an inner foil lining.  The black-out shades are great -- keeping all annoying light out at night, keeping us totally private inside (not even shadows appear) and they are good insulators as well.  We've done away with all the reflectix shades that we used to stuff behind the old blinds.  We opted to pay extra for the "Ultra Glide" cord feature (the cord stays one length  and acts like a ratchet to raise the blind.)  We also got the top down/bottom up feature so that we can raise the blind from the bottom OR lower the blind from the top.  The latter is nice for letting in light and air, but still keeping some privacy.  All of the blinds were easily installed using the hardware that came with them.  We removed all the factory installed valances and side covers when installing the new shades and decided not to put them back up as we like the lighter & brighter look without all the heavy upholstered window trim.

Chris W.
2004 30' TB http://chrisandfrank.blogspot.com/ (Central Texas is soooo beautiful in the spring!)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64656
Let me tell you folks, those blinds are gorgeous and they are perfect in their Lazy Daze.  Chris and Frank showed them to me in Albuquerque and I've been wanting some ever since.  I've decided to get them when we get back to the US.  I especially love the top down/bottom up feature as you can leave the top down for light and to see out but it's very difficult to see in because of the height of the LD.
 It's on top of my US shopping list Chris, thanks for the great idea.

-- Jonna in Tortuga, 2001 Teal RB Find us MAPhttp://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1013> Follow the BLOG herehttp://www.baddog.com/blog/blog.html>
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64660
Quote
We replaced all of the factory installed accordian shades with cellular (aka honeycomb) shades.  We ordered them online and bought Hunter Douglas, but I think they are also available at places like Home Depot.  We bought the small size (3/8") with the full black-out feature -- this includes the outer shade (in lots of colors) AND an inner foil lining.  The black-out shades are great -- keeping all annoying light out at night, keeping us totally private inside (not even shadows appear) and they are good insulators as well.
http://chrisandfrank.blogspot.com/
Chris,

I just checked out your blog.  I think it's great!  I was hoping to see a picture of your cellular shades but from what I saw, the old valances were still there.  Have you posted newer photos elsewhere?

Tom Riley
'04 26 RB

Fort Bragg, CA
Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64665
On Mar 27, 2006, at 3:25 PM, Chris W. wrote:

Quote
We replaced all of the factory installed accordian shades with cellular (aka honeycomb) shades.  ...
Chris, those blinds sound like a terrific idea.  I love the bottoms up/tops down idea as I need to have a window open at all times!! Have you taken any photos of yours?  Would love to see pix of them in a Lazy Daze.  Did you just use the same measurements of the blinds you took down?  They sound like a cure-all!

Lorna, Hoping this rain brings more Texas wildflowers
2003 RB
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64714
Quote
We replaced all of the factory installed accordian shades with cellular (aka honeycomb) shades.  ...

Chris, those blinds sound like a terrific idea.  I love the bottoms up/tops down idea as I need to have a window open at all times!! Have you taken any photos of yours?  Would love to see pix of them in a Lazy Daze.  Did you just use the same measurements of the blinds you took down?
For width measurements, I used the outside dimension of the window frame and added 1" one each side to allow for a little extra coverage.
Since we'd taken down the side valances, I wanted to make sure we didn't have any gaps.  For the length, I just used the length of the existing shades.  I don't have any photos of them, but will try and take some and then add them to our blog.

It may take me awhile to get the photos posted as our satellite internet is broken and we've been having to use the local library to retrieve email.  We still don't know what is wrong with our satellite internet equipment.  Since it's still under warranty, we sent it back to the dealer 8 days ago via UPS and the package has been bouncing around all over Texas, California and Arizona.  Apparently UPS has no idea how to find Quartzsite (where our dealer is located.)

Chris W.
2004 30'TB (glub glub glub -- at Fort Parker where the water is still rising on the lake after getting 6" of rain in 5 hours on Monday night.)
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64772
Quote
I was hoping to see a picture of your cellular shades but from what I saw, the old valances were still there.  Have you posted newer photos elsewhere?
I just added four pics of our top down/bottom up cellular shades to the Photos section of the LD Enhancements forum.  They are under an album titled "Cellular Shades-30'TB".  They aren't close-up shots, so if anyone needs to see something up close, let me know.

Just a couple of remarks on them.  They do not attach at the bottom like the accordian blinds, so they do move while the RV is in motion.
We just raise ours all the way up when traveling and that works fine.

Also, when the window is open, but the blinds are closed, they do billow and sway in the breeze and the bottom rail will clatter as it bangs against the window frame.  We solve that by opening the blinds a little at the top and the bottom.
 The Ultra Glide cord feature is nice as the cords stay a fixed length and operate like a ratchet to open the blinds.  The blinds can be opened as much in either direction as you like.
 The black-out feature is one that I didn't think I'd like, but it has been great for keeping out unwanted light at night as well as total privacy from the outside looking in.  The foil lining is also a good insulator.

Chris W.
2004 30'TB http://chrisandfrank.blogspot.com/ (Fort Parker, TX -- heading to Inks Lake next week.)
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64781
Quote
I was hoping to see a picture of your cellular shades but from what I saw, the old valances were still there.  Have you posted newer photos elsewhere?

I just added four pics of our top down/bottom up cellular shades to the Photos section of the LD Enhancements forum.
Thanks, Chris.  They look to me like the way to go.  My shades are all still working properly but the first time they act up, I'll be looking at cellular shades.

Tom Riley
'04 26 RB
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64810
Thanks Chris for all the info.  I'm getting ready to order these when we get back in the US.  I have a couple questions.
 I'm still trying to decide whether to take the valances off or not.  Is the extra inch on either side sufficient to prevent looking sideways into the coach?
 Do you think it would be possible to add a hook or something to hold the shades down during travel?  We do often leave one side closed - towards the sun - to keep it cooler and keep the sun off the dogs .
 Do you have a recommendation for where to order and get them installed?  As I recall, you got yours at a home supply store, forget which one.  Lowe's or Home Depot?  Did they install them or did you do it yourselves?  Was it hard to do if you did it yourselves?

OMG! I will have to pick a color.  This could take me awhile.

-- Jonna in Tortuga, 2001 Teal RB Find us MAPhttp://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1013> Follow the BLOG herehttp://www.baddog.com/blog/blog.html>
Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64814
[snip] "I'm still trying to decide whether to take the valances off or not.  Is the extra inch on either side sufficient to prevent looking sideways into the coach?"

I'm considering adding these shades, too,(thanks for posting the information and photos, Chris!) but if I do, I will leave the valances in place, if the shades will fit.  I assume they will.  I, too, value the privacy the side valances offer.  I also like the way they look.  I realise I'd have to remove them to do the work, though, and I haven't tried that.

"Do you think it would be possible to add a hook or something to hold the shades down during travel?  We do often leave one side closed - towards the sun - to keep it cooler and keep the sun off the dogs ."

We often leave ours closed, too, for the same reasons.  A couple of pieces of Super Lock tape on the wall side of the bottom rail and the window sill should hold the shades in place while traveling.
The new Industrial Strength Velcro, with better adhesive that's supposed to stand up to more heat, might work, too.

[snip]

Quote
Jonna in Tortuga, 2001 Teal RB

Sharon N.
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Cellular Window blinds/shades?
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64839
Quote
I'm still trying to decide whether to take the valances off or not.
Is the extra inch on either side sufficient to prevent looking sideways into the coach?
Yes, I mounted the shades as close as possible to the window so that they actually touch the window frame when closed.  Also, that extra inch on the sides allows for complete privacy.  Remember that we ordered the small honeycomb -- 3/8" shade and I think that also helps the shades hug the window.

Quote
Do you think it would be possible to add a hook or something to hold the shades down during travel?  We do often leave one side closed - towards the sun - to keep it cooler and keep the sun off the dogs .
Yes, the shades have optional plastic "tabs" (just like the kitchen mini-blinds have) on the bottom rail -- I believe you have to order them as an option -- we did not.  I think velcro strips would also work.  We opted to use velcro on the bottom rail of the rear window as it slopes away -- and that's been working ok, but the plastic tabs would probably work best.

Quote
Do you have a recommendation for where to order and get them installed?
I got them online at Star Decorating -- best price I could find at the time and free shipping.  I ordered one blind first (the smallest and cheapest one, just in case they didn't work), then ordered the rest later.  Yes, I installed them myself and it wasn't difficult.  If installing the shades underneath a cabinet, the new mounting hardware goes right where the old factory installed shades came out and it's just a matter of screwing in the new mounting brackets underneath the cabinet.

That said, two of our old shades came from windows with no overhead cabinets and they were directly attached to the valance and since we removed the valance, we then had to mount the new shades into the wall.  That involved finding a stud and then screwing the new mounting brackets into the stud.  I'm not sure what you'll need to do if you have shades that mount directly to the valance.  It would probably be possible to screw the new mounting brackets on the underside of the valance.

Quote
OMG! I will have to pick a color.  This could take me awhile.
We opted to match the walls as best as possible and ordered Daisy White from the Hunter Douglas line.  Home Depot carries this brand, but sometimes the color names are not the same as the names online, so it's kind of a gamble.  Like I said, I ordered one to be sure and then ordered the rest.  Most places will not take returns on custom ordered blinds.

Good luck!

Chris W.
2004 30'TB http://chrisandfrank.blogspot.com/ (The wildflowers are a bloomin' at Fort Parker, TX)