Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

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Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

August 11, 2019, 10:02:28 am

I have emails to two windshield cover companies with the question in the post's subject line, but, so far, no replies! (Whichever color I decide on, the cover material would be the 94% sunblocking mesh.)

Intuitively, I think that a white cover would reflect the most heat and keep the cab area cooler than a darker color, but maybe that's the wrong "think"? Perhaps a darker color, even black, would be most efficient at keeping heat out of the cab?

Experiences? Ideas? Opinions?

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #1 – August 11, 2019, 11:45:05 am

Joan,

I believe your first intuition would be correct. It’s my understanding that lighter colors reflect more light and darker colors do just the opposite.

I know that many people prefer the shade cover over the solid “blackout” cover to allow an open view of the surroundings.

Perhaps someday a product that includes BASF clear film reflector technology will be available. https://youtu.be/YYQgUxqw-9I
It could be added as a backing to the RV cab window shade cover.

We use the solid full blackout white cover and add the reflective windshield cover between it and the windshield. Of course you can’t see out but it does help reduce heat from being trapped inside the cab of the LD.

Kent

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #2 – August 11, 2019, 07:46:22 pm

Hi Joan,

I made our windshield screen many years ago to fit our '94 MB. Nice surprise it also fits our '06 RB. I had seen a windshield screen on another LD and they told us that it had been custom made in AZ somewhere - Yuma, maybe? during a winter trip. I checked at a local (huge) fabric warehouse and found the fabric but only in tan. So, that's what I used. It is a heavy mesh-like fabric. I'd called it rubberized (probably vinyl) and I can turn the hose on it. Ours has to be at least 20 years old and is still soft and pliable. It blocks out a lot of sun but we can still see out. In addition, we pull the cab curtains at night. No point in giving the neighbors a show! I remember seeing ads in RV mags for custom windshield covers but think it was pre-Great Recession. If I remember correctly, AZ or TX.
I used brown kraft paper (rolls) to make a pattern, taping the paper together to make the contours. The driver and passenger windows are included. It attaches in this manner: there is a corner pocket that goes over the outer top corner of the driver's door, windshield wipers are lifted out of the way, the screen is put across the (clean) windshield, and a pocket for the passenger outer top corner put in place. I made a couple of "buttonholes" to fit over the turn buttons that normally hold the white vinyl windshield cover from the factory. Put the wipers back in place and the job is done!
The whole thing folds flat and is easily stored.
Long answer for a short question: It's tan.

Juli W

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #3 – August 11, 2019, 08:00:12 pm

White is going to be the best at blocking the heat, you have seen the view though our LD's 90%+ light blocking windshield shade. It's nice to look out without the outside looking in.
As with the dark windows, all that changes at night, anyone outside can look in if the interior lights are on.

Larry.

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #4 – August 11, 2019, 08:28:48 pm

Thanks for all of the replies; I will post (in case someone else may be considering a sun/heat-blocking mesh windshield cover) when I order. 😉

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #5 – August 12, 2019, 01:19:07 pm

I received this reply from one of the two mesh windshield covers companies I asked about which color was most effective at heat reflection. (Note that the reply doesn't answer my original question, but provides useful information anyway!

)

"The darker colors seam (sic) to cut out more of the glare, so it is easier to see out."

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #6 – August 12, 2019, 08:12:35 pm

Joan, I ordered a sampler from one company to test this out. The light shades made it difficult to see out - creating sort of a 'white-out'. The lighter the shade, the worse the effect. Very dark simply had a similar effect to tint as far as visibility out. I could see no significant difference as far as blocking visibility from outside in - all were effective. We got the darkest shade and have been happy with that for years now.

Steve

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #7 – August 12, 2019, 08:30:34 pm

Thanks, Steve! I’m going dark! 😉

Re: Most efficient heat-reducing windshield cover color choice?

Reply #8 – August 12, 2019, 11:49:35 pm

I had the same experience as Steve and have black which we have been happy with.

Jim

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