Window mats - making your own

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 04 Sep 2006, 11:27

I fancy making some thermal mats for some of our camper windows - I don't need a full set. What stuff is recommended by people?
I read in some previous threads about the stuff for under laminate flooring - what's it called? Is it bubble-wrap with aluminium foil each side or something else?

Post by **airhead** » 04 Sep 2006, 11:42

I have thermomats I bought off JK. Theyre a bloody curse. No matter how clean the windows are they just will not stick! Theyre forever falling down, especially the back one because of the heated rear window strips. Put in a decent set of curtains. Thats my suggestion.

Post by **HarryMann** » 04 Sep 2006, 12:12

1/2" foil covered sleeping mats off Ebay.

Look for those that are larger than normal, 600 x 2 x 12mm, many are 500 x 1.8 x 8 or 10mmm or even thinner and not foil covered.

If you're lucky and find them for about £5 then get two at least...

I've used them for heat and sound insulation in wheel boxes above suspension, and the remains happened to perfectly fit the screen area, just tuck it behind the sun visors. Mainly used as a heatshield this summer when parked up, but I'm sure could be used for insulation against cold.

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... Insulation

Post by **lhd** » 04 Sep 2006, 22:12

Theyre a bloody curse. No matter how clean the windows are they just will not stick! Theyre forever falling down, especially the back one because of the heated rear window strips. Put in a decent set of curtains. Thats my suggestion.

Sadly i cant afford a rear heated screen and have had no problems with lack of stick.......
But I bloody hate em, They are great if it is very cold, but such a pain in the ass to put up and pull down, and thats without having to store the bloody things.
I only ever use the rear one to stop the sun heating up the van, That only works if you park facing west....
I know this sounds rediculous but if the sun shines on the pop top canvas the patter of tiny feet is soon in your bed..........

lhd.......................

Post by **fried chicken** » 05 Sep 2006, 15:29

Hi, as you hate your mats, how about selling them to me as I want a set for van fest at the weekend but don't want to buy new.
Mail me Haveyouseenhim@hotmail.co.uk or give me a call 07974 975492
Cheers
sean

Post by **fried chicken** » 05 Sep 2006, 15:29

Hi, as you hate your mats, how about selling them to me as I want a set for van fest at the weekend but don't want to buy new.
Mail me Haveyouseenhim@hotmail.co.uk or give me a call 07974 975492
Cheers
sean

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 05 Sep 2006, 18:47

Well, in the absence of any other info on making your own I have ordered some stuff from olearymotorhomes.co.uk and some other stuff from pointnorth.co.uk and will let you know how I get on...
There may be some curtains and their tracks up for sale in due course - advance orders anyone??

Post by **lhd** » 05 Sep 2006, 23:19

Hi, as you hate your mats, how about selling them to me as I want a set for van fest at the weekend but don't want to buy new.

Sorry it's a love hate relationship, they are good when it's cold but still a pain to put up and pull down....
Do a post search, I am sure Jen was speaking to some one about a home made version.....
lhd.....................

Post by **lhd** » 05 Sep 2006, 23:25

If you want the silver insulating stuff--you can buy rolls of it in B&Q- look in the roof insulation section--

courtesy of billy.....
lhd........................

Post by **torz** » 06 Sep 2006, 08:10

Jen made her own from Homebase I think...I was thinking of doing the same in the T4 Velle..........way too much glass in my opinion.......

She'll be along later I guess or you could PM her ........... It's something I've been meaning to ask her anyway...if I find out before you I'll post it on here ok.

Post by **smokeyjon** » 10 Sep 2006, 22:12

Hi Keith
I made one for the rear screen of my panel van, but I have to say it was kind of a temporary measure and is still a bit ropey! Does the job though!
I bought the suckers from a pound shop where I also bought some small brass eyelets.

I got a sun screen visor (foil on bubble stuff) from ALDI for a couple of quid and put the eyelets through it. The suckers have hooks on them and you just hang the visor over the hooks. I leave the suckers in place so no probs sticking em on when you park up...

Can you tell I'm northern too?!!

The revised model will be based on a thermal mat that came from towsure I think..

Good luck

Post by **Cruz** » 14 Sep 2006, 16:27

I got a camping sloor matt with a silver side from lidl along with 8 suckers from a pound shop (the ones with plastic hooks attatched). Cut it to the shape of the back window and attach the suckers using tie wraps that are pushed through the mat and fed through the holes in the suckers once the hooks have been removed. I did the same with the rear side window and now it's dark and cool even in summer.