Blinds open or closed when van not in use?

Louie25

Louie25

Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Posts
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Location
Scotland, UK
Funster No
86,263
MH
Carthago
Exp
New to Motorhome, experienced caravanner 😊
Apologies if this topic has already been covered, I couldn’t find any answers after a quick search……

What do you all do with your vans when parked up on your driveways etc? Should blinds all be closed to prevent heat build up or should I be allowing some daylight in?
 
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We close most of ours but I have read that keeping them closed risks reducing the effectiveness of the return springs.
 
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I always close mine when in storage or on the drive
If it’s warm or sunny outside, the internal heat can set off the alarm
 
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Closed. The sun is bad for the cheap, and different qualities/types of plastic in these vans.

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I leave ours closed. keeps the sun off the furnishings and the the reflective outer surface helps reduce heat build up in summer. Better insulation in winter. Condensation can form when the temperature drops so better to limit any temperature changes.
 
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Closed, for U/V and thermal protection as above PLUS it’s also a way to stop anyone peering in to suss out what security arrangements you might have in place
 
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Stag man said:
Closed, for U/V and thermal protection as above PLUS it’s also a way to stop anyone peering in to suss out what security arrangements you might have in place
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Always keep ours closed, but didn’t put these off……only the alarm did. 🤷‍♂️

447712BC-8580-4E0F-AC45-1FB53F304AAC.jpeg
 
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Closed, as the sun can be very damaging to colour inside etc

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Guigsy said:
I thought leaving them closed when it was really hot could cause heat to build up and deform the frame and/or window?

I normally leave a bit of a gap.
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I think that is where a reflective outside surface on the blinds helps. A lot of the sun’s energy is reflected back outside, reducing the heat build up between the blind and the window.
 
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Just get a new van every five years. Then stop worrying about things like that. If only!

Seriously though, I like the idea of covering both options and putting them at 75%
 
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Just thinking. For concertina blinds I would keep them open all the time.
 
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Pausim said:
What is your thinking?
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They just look vulnerable to damage by UV. They have no reflective surface on the outside. The manufacturers instructions say don't leave them closed in direct sunlight. I have seem lots where they have become damaged on the outer folds.

Maybe the newer ones are better.
 
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gpat said:
They just look vulnerable to damage by UV. They have no reflective surface on the outside. The manufacturers instructions say don't leave them closed in direct sunlight. I have seem lots where they have become damaged on the outer folds.

Maybe the newer ones are better.
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Some concertina blinds have a reflective surface on the outside. However I can see your point about ones without.
 
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I usually leave mine open when in store. There is a curtain across the front which I normally close and little sun comes through the windows due to high walls on two sides, windscreen North facing and a caravan on the remaining side acting as a blocker. Roof vents are a different matter, best left at 75% closed.
Washroom vent is white rather than clear so just leave that blind open.
 
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My rear windows are quite dark, but I keep cheap screen covers on the front. It keeps the heat down massively and in winter keeps it warmer and makes it harder to steal.

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As my windows are tinted all round I can leave them open or shut but shut reduces heat build up inside, lucky that the blind material is protected by the tint.
 
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Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Close them and they'll fade if in the sun.
Don't close and the soft furnishings will fade.
 
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Side windows pull the blind down then pull the flyscreen down a couple of inches at the top.
If you pull them right over the windows the heat build up can cause damage. All my windows have a symbol on then telling you not to close the blinds completely.

I do put the front blind down screen is glass and blind is a long way from the screen.

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We were told never to leave the blinds closed for extended periods as it would stretch the springs - and having helped another Funster to replace one I surely don't want that hassle.
So when it's in storage I've made up a set of screens out of silver insulation material that simply cover the inside of the windows and are held perfectly satisfactorily by the existing window catch handles. When not in use they're rolled up and stored at home until we rteturn.
The screen and door windows are normal Remis so no problems with them so just close them. Likewise the rooflight screens.
No fading and probably keeps the van cooler in the sun - although I wouldn't know as it's in the storage yard.......................
 
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I leave the exterior screen cover on whilst van is on drive as that is where the sun shines in most, all the blinds left open
 
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Lenny HB said:
Side windows pull the blind down then pull the flyscreen down a couple of inches at the top.
If you pull them right over the windows the heat build up can cause damage. All my windows have a symbol on then telling you not to close the blinds completely.

I do put the front blind down screen is glass and blind is a long way from the screen.
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Same here
 
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