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Thermal screens

Posted: 12 Apr 2010, 07:46
by insitu_mouldings
Hi dont know whether anybody has done this so please dont flame me if its common but i priced thermal screens on the net and thought they were a right rip off.

Just bought a roll of radiator deflecting foil from b and q and cut my own, velcro to the back and to the glass and then that was it! all for a tenner and you can do all the windows!
Anyone wants any pics let me know.

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 12 Apr 2010, 08:07
by jamesc76
You have made the common misunderstood mistake, proper silver screen have multi layers of insulation and thermal reflective material, there much better than the bubble wrap stuff, I have the bubble wrap behind the panels, with a few layers together. After a while of folding or rolling up the b&q stuff the silver foil comes off!

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 12 Apr 2010, 08:57
by JCL
I did exactly the same and was well chuffed with my saving! However, after two uses I binned the idea together with the homemade thermals and purchased the purpose made items from just kampers... I wish i had done that in the first place. The diy version didnt retain heat (although I admit did reduce condensation a little but only in milder weather), they were very fragile, cracked, split and generally fell apart with use and storage.

Good luck :ok

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 12 Apr 2010, 09:26
by 72BUG
Yup. I made my own too as I thought the propper ones were too expensive and I too binned them after a couple of uses and put some propper ones on my Christmas list.

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 16 Apr 2010, 12:46
by insitu_mouldings
hmm... dont know how they wouldnt retain heat as theyre efficient in serving this purpose as thats what theyre made for. however i will listen to the expertise and experience and i will use them until they need binning thanks guys.

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 16 Apr 2010, 15:23
by JCL
the diy roll is designed to merely reflect direct radiated heat not to retain indirect warmth that a van may contain.

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 16 Apr 2010, 18:02
by Mr Bean
I got the JK set and found the suckers needed soaking in hot water to make them flat again after transit. But to be honest unless you are wild camping mid winter you will find them a pain in the butt to fit before sleep and stow next morning. Apart from an emergency sick relatives stay on Dartmoor we have never used ours in anger!
Cheers
Wolfie

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 16 Apr 2010, 18:13
by chuckle-bus-tom
DIY ones are what I use as I have a panel van and Just Money only make full sets for T25s. They keep the light and neighbours out. Beer and a duvet keep the warmth in. Even if they only last a year I can have 8 years of homemade ones before the price of Just Big Bank Accounts ones is matched.

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 16 Apr 2010, 18:43
by horns
I think the real ones are well worth it. Use ours every time we sleep...

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 17 Apr 2010, 11:16
by insitu_mouldings
my thoughts exactly chuckle bus :ok

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 18 Apr 2010, 10:37
by Cruz
I made ones for the back window and side window from foam camping matts that had an aluminium foil on one side. Primarily they are to keep out the sun and light in a morning

Re: Thermal screens

Posted: 18 Apr 2010, 15:19
by little.legs
:D We got the jk full set for ours and use em every trip. Expensive but Well toasty. :ok