Beautiful sights

Beautiful sights
Horses at blue water Lake state park

Monday, December 31, 2012

Sun Screens

I love camping/RVing in the sunny weather!  However, I do not really like the sun to shine on my skin.  I burn really easily.  I also don't like the heat which the sun can build up inside the motorhome or outside in the yard.  I have window awnings, and a long awning for the passenger side of the motorhome.  But even with all the awnings open there are times of the day when the sunshine goes around the awnings and creates heat which is too warm for my comfort. 

Many RVer's have sun screens hanging from their awnings, so I researched and bought a sunscreen to hang from my large awning.  I thought it was pretty nice until I tried to roll up the awning with it's electric motor.
It never moved.  I thought that the motor had failed , so I called the awning guy, and when he came, he discovered that it was not the motor, but the weight of the sunscreen that was too much for the awning motor.  So I returned the sunscreen for a refund, and went back to the drawing board.

One of my RVing neighbors (Delores) told me that she bought solar screening material at the Ace Hardware in Blythe, California, and that she hung it on the inside of her windows on a curtain rod.  I looked hers over and decided it was a pretty good idea. She said to make sure it allows for air flow through it.
Delores' extra screening
 I bought two rolls of the solar screening, and so far have just replaced the insect screening on the screen door.  This screen has kept a lot of heat outside the RV when the sun is shining under the ends of the RV awning.  I intend to make solar curtains to hang inside the other windows as needed to keep heat out.
I have a cactus garden on my motorhome dash.  I know these plants need sunlight.  I have to remember not to hang solar screening between the sun and the cacti, but will try hanging it to the rear of the cacti and block the sun from the motorhome living room.  I don't think I will get as great an effect that way, but the cacti will survive better, so it will be okay.
Cacti in motorhome dash area


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5 comments:

  1. Love the cacti! Have any of the dogs checked them out? Ouch!

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  2. The blooms are beautiful!!

    I like the idea of the sunscreen on an inside rod. I'm going to do that, too. I love, love, love my light and bright interior and never wanted to tint my windows, but there are times I'd like more privacy without lowering my window coverings. And I'm sure not replacing them with day/night shades. These sunscreen curtains would be perfect for me. Tell Delores I said thanks for her great idea! And you too, of course, for reporting it. :)

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  3. I like this idea too. I love the sun but like you cannot take the heat. I don't burn easily just can't take the heat.

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  4. Sounds like a good idea. I burn easily too...but that doesn't seem to be a problem in the winter in Michigan...too much. :)

    I admire you RVing with two big dogs...I'd think this was a challenge, but if I ever get out on the road myself I'd have one dog with me. Would not want the inside of the RV to get to hot for her either.

    Meanwhile I travel vicariously through all of you.

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  5. Hi Hazel, Thanks for coming onto my blog and leaving your comment. I'm a follower of your blog now and look forward to seeing what you are up to.

    Looks like you have solved the screen problem.

    I would so love to live in a big Motorhome and just drive around and see the country. Of course Englanbd isn't anywhere as big as the States:)

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