Curtains - blackout or not?

[Mooms]

Having to make a new set of curtains for out van, and I didn't know whether to include thermal blackout lining? It shouldn't be *too* much more expensive to do, but if we'd need to buy thermal window covers for example in the future, I wouldn't bother?

Any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks

[itchyfeet]

deffo need blackout or thermal which do the same unless you like waking up very early

[Ralf85]

Do you have blackout curtains at home? I don't. I prefer going to sleep earlier than at home and waking naturally to the light of the morning. If you holiday in Winter then insulated blinds are useful, otherwise why bother? It's a matter of personal choice.

[Mooms]

Do you have blackout curtains at home? I don't. I prefer going to sleep earlier than at home and waking naturally to the light of the morning. If you holiday in Winter then insulated blinds are useful, otherwise why bother? It's a matter of personal choice.

We do (small people and light mornings/evenings) don't mix

I think for the price (sanity) it might be worth doing.

[Oldiebut goodie]

On behalf of the VW elves I wish it to be known that we do love bright mornings and evenings.

[Smcknighty]

Rather than black out the entire van duct tape a sleeping mask to the little ones

[Smcknighty]

Although to be fair your wife will probably veto that. We have the insulated window things, they aren't far from black out. My daughter sleeps for ever in the hammock over the front seats.. For ever being at least until 7am, then I end up playing games with her whilst my wife uses her amazing lack of child hearing skills to sleep on

[jack-d]

I have black out lining, as I don't like waking up at 5am. But it does make the curtains thicker, so harder to draw as mine are double sided as well.

[Mooms]

Rather than black out the entire van duct tape a sleeping mask to the little ones

Brilliant

[iamtheactor]

Go with the black out if it's not too much more

[guavajelly]

For years I have camped without blackout curtains, and it is sooo bright in the morning. I'm mid-way through stitching up new curtains and I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bit. The only problem I've had is broken sewing machine needles. The fabric gets thick fast when folding over for hemming.

[Mooms]

For years I have camped without blackout curtains, and it is sooo bright in the morning. I'm mid-way through stitching up new curtains and I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bit. The only problem I've had is broken sewing machine needles. The fabric gets thick fast when folding over for hemming.

Did you use upholstery material plus blackout lining, or just cotton and lining? Now I'm worried they'll be too thick to draw as above? Hmmmm

[guavajelly]

Mooms,

I am using only upholstery fabric. When I began the project I strongly considered adding a liner but after i draped the bolt of fabric over a lamp I began to reconsider. I am pretty sure my wife mentioned how thick and difficult to stitch the fabric would be too.

[AdrianC]

Only you know how well you can sleep with light getting in.

Westy curtains are really thin, and when we got back, we swore heavier curtains would be the one change we'd make. But the fact we didn't feel compelled to do anything about them in 18mo living in the van says a lot.

[Mooms]

Only you know how well you can sleep with light getting in.

Westy curtains are really thin, and when we got back, we swore heavier curtains would be the one change we'd make. But the fact we didn't feel compelled to do anything about them in 18mo living in the van says a lot.

More for the kids than us, I don't much fancy 5am starts after a late night

I'm going to look at some curtain material today, see if it'll be thick enough