Insulated window covers are a must-have for camper or adventure vans because they provide privacy and thermal insulation (for hot summer days or snow-chasing winter vanlife). By strategically inserting magnets around the edges, the window covers are super easy to install/remove: they simply snap to the metal around the windows. The shape of the window covers can be adapted to fit any van: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, etc. Below is how to make your DIY window covers and, alternatively, some off-the-shelf options we tested.
1. Our Requirements
In our opinion, well-made van window covers should meet these criteria:
Privacy
There are often people that try to peek inside the van (simple curiosity). That’s not great because we might be using the toilet, getting dressed, or just wanting some quiet time to be in our “bubble.”
Blackout
Light coming in (street lights, cars driving by, sunrise, etc.) disturbs our sleep, while light coming out reveals our presence (when urban camping).
Thermal Insulation
People go to great lengths to insulate their van, but the windows are the weakest link! In summer window shades dramatically reduce the greenhouse effect, and for winter vanlife they make the living space more comfortable (no cold drafts near the windows).
Stealth
For urban camping, we like the exterior of our window covers to be dark. This way, at night, it looks like any other car window (the covers are not too visible). That raises less suspicion that someone is in the van at this moment.
Ease of Installation
We install and remove all the window covers at least twice a day. That’s a repetitive task, so it’s very important that the covers are easy and quick to install/remove!
Storage
We stored our DIY covers on the bed, and they occupied most of the space which wasn’t great. Off-the-shelf covers are more compact and can be stowed neatly (e.g. FarOutVan2’s headliner shelf)
DIY Van Window Covers
This project turned out to be way, WAYYYYY more time-consuming than we ever imagined. The problem was sewing the layers together: we tried using a normal sewing machine, but the needle constantly broke. Turns out an industrial sewing machine is required. Of course, we didn’t have one, so Isabelle’s mom sewed all of them BY HAND. She’s experienced, so we thought it would be fine, but that’s a lot of material to go through, so it’s extremely difficult and it takes time. We’re incredibly grateful for her help, but we suspect she’ll never want to do this again 😂 (with reason).
Time
80 hours
(No Jokes!)
Cost
~ $500 USD
Fabrication
We won’t get into much details, but here is the important stuff:
- The layers are as follow: Low-E/Thinsulate/Fabric.
- The 3M 90 spray adhesive was used in between Low-E & Thinsulate layers.
- The rare earth magnets are POWERFUL …but not that much once they’re covered with fabric, and they have to hold the weight of the cover. Make sure to use plenty of them all around (we used 9 round magnets per cover for the rear doors, 12 for the slider door, 3 for each driver/passenger door) and make sure not to use a thick fabric over the magnets (we wish we had used a slightly thinner fabric, the black border you see on our insulated window covers is quite thick). Also, with time, the magnets have migrated slightly away from the van metal contour, making them even less effective. Bottom line, the holding power is affected by the magnet dimension, quantity, and location accuracy. We didn’t quite find the perfect balance, it’s up to you to do better than us!
Each magnet is contained in a small pouch, and this pouch is sewn onto the the Thinsulate (so the magnet stays where it should):
On Second Thoughts…
- We should have used synthetic fabric because after a few years our covers shrank a little, and we lost some privacy (especially around the windshield edges).
- The exposed Low-E gets damaged over time, and repairing it is not really an option…
- We love the fact that the insulated window covers can be installed on-the-fly with the rare earth magnets, but we would use more magnets (and make sure they don’t move away from the metal border) and a thinner fabric to retain the power of the magnets.
- The Low-E is not exactly stealth… it might be a good idea to make the insulated window covers reversible: one side with Low-E (to reflect the sun) and one side black (stealth = not to attract attention at night).
- We would use 1″ thick Thinsulate on all covers to reduce the weight and make them easier to store (we updated the “material” section to reflect that!)
You should know that insulated window covers dramatically block cell phone signal, because of the Low-E insulation. As a workaround, we installed a WeBoost signal booster on FarOutVan2. With the antenna located outside the van, we should be able to get signal inside the van when the window covers are installed!
Off-The-Shelf Van Window Covers
And here we are! From our experience, it isn’t easy to replicate high-quality window covers. We’d rather invest our time and money on the conversion…
We tried/tested several brands of window covers over the years (from cheap to high-end), and while there are low-cost options out there (e.g. on Amazon), we found the cheap ones wouldn’t fulfill all our requirements (privacy, blackout, thermal insulation, stealth, installation, and storage). So here are the ones we personally use on our FarOutVan1 and FarOutVan2:
Van Made Gear
From our knowledge, the VanMadeGear Window Covers are the only ones that can be ordered with reflective material outside. We use the reflective side to prevent greenhouse effect, then we use the fabric side at night and in winter. Brilliant!
Front:
Rear:
Sliding Door:
High-quality window covers for Sprinter, ProMaster, and Transit vans. Attach magnetically, insulated, and can be ordered with marine-grade reflective on one side (optional). Made in USA.
Use “FAROUTRIDE5OFF” coupon code at checkout to get 5% DISCOUNT!
Overnight Van Supplies
The Overnight Van Supplies window covers initially caught our attention because they can be ordered with an optional layer of Thinsulate. That’s a big deal for those who, like us, like chasing the snow. But turns out there’s more that makes them unique:
- Optional Thinsulate add-on (as mentioned);
- Optional built-in mosquito screen opening at the top (front doors);
- Built-in storage pockets (rear doors);
- Include a storage bag.
Front:
Rear:
Sliding Door:
High-quality window covers for Sprinter, ProMaster, and Transit vans. Attach magnetically, insulated (Thinsulate add-on), pockets (rear doors), mosquito screen add-on (front doors). Made in Canada.
Storage
In FarOutVan1, we stored our window covers on the bed. It worked, but it occupied some space:
In FarOutVan2, we added a headliner shelf to store the covers:
Thank you for details instruction. It’s very helpful with picture to visualize for those that new. Also appreciate the links & purchase items suggestions.
Hi Guys! Awesome project and blog. So many usefull details.
One question: have you considered to use the external insulated window covers for the front part (including motor part)??
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Giacomo
The problem with an external cover is that it’s exposed to the elements (rain, dust, etc.) and it would be very annoying having to deal with drying it (or dusting it). I much prefer having it inside!
My humble opinion,
antoine
Do you think the commercial covers provide sufficient r-value to be worthwhile?
I have a thinsulate insulated van and a Webasto, but the webasto only keeps the indoor temps about 30deg F above outdoors. I think heat loss through the windows is the biggest culprit right now.
I’m using reflectix covers, but the don’t seem to help with the problem a ton.
Unfortunately, I don’t think commercial covers will do much below freezing temperature. I think we’ll have to use our homemade thinsulate insulated covers when we use the van for ski trips.
I have an older van that I am trying to make more private for camping. It is a 1993 GMC Vandura which has the raised roof, swing out double back doors, and double opening doors for the cargo area on the passenger side instead of a slider. Is there anyone who can help me find a bug screen and window covers, plus I am also trying to find the window privacy permanent screens that you would put in the back of a pickup so I can use them on the back doors and side windows of the van.. Any help is appreciated.
How about the pull over netting covers to the 2 front doors (like a wide expandable sock netting) that they advertised as a window shade but it’s netting so it can also function as a bug screen solution for your need.
I just found “Overnight Van Supplies” out of Quebec, Canada. Their Etsy page says ” We now have the templates for Ford Transit and Connect, Sprinter 2019+ and Dodge Promaster, Econoline 92-07, chevy express etc. We are making templates for VR panoramic owners. Please ask for this special order!”
You could reach out to them to see if they have/can get the templates for your van. Their side cab window covers are available with a fold down, bug-screened upper section (to get that sweet breeze), and I’m about to email them now for a set for my Ford Econoline based motorhome.
Do you think a non-reflective exterior would keep it cool in the sun? Most covers for sale seem to not have the reflective layer. Some put low-E on the inside – wouldn’t that be useless?
Also, why do you say reflective is less stealth? If I wanted to be stealth I’d be sure to put the reflective layer facing out so I look like a normal van trying to keep the sun out. Black screams “I’m in here hiding!”
Actually a foil layer works as a radiant insulation layer and would function either in or out. The only advantage of having it out is that it’s lighter in color and would not absorb the light rays at all.
Van made gear does not ship tp Canada!
Did you write to him directly to ask, maybe he would reconsider?
Heyy, loving your website for all the incredible resources, thanks so much!!!
I’m wondering if there a Canadian company who makes these window coverings too??? Instead of having to pay the exchange. Many thanks!
I’m not aware, sorry 🙁
Good luck!
https://en.overnightvansupplies.com/ – I just found Overnight Van Supplies – based in Quebec, Canada. Free shipping in North America.
Have you tried this brand? I do like how they have thinsulate, but not a fan that some of the windows are held up by velcro and some of the border has to stay on ( I think). Want to see a solid review of their stuff. It def looks really good. Shoot me a email if you have any insight! kpatel4703@gmail.com. Thanks!
Where can you buy the window roll down cover for the big sliding door window. I like how yours rolls up and secures in place? Thanks in advance!
You can find all the information about the mosquito screens here: faroutride.com/mosquito-screens/
You have window covers, so do we, but I notice that you also have a curtain, I have never seen it discussed. Do you sometimes not bother with the window covers and just drape the curtains over the backs of the reversed seats? Like in moderate weather when you aren’t heating too much?
And does the curtain rod go from the hole (or the big indent) in the blob from one blob to the other?
The curtains is faster to deploy than the window covers; it’s useful when you need to use the toilet or if you need some privacy. We still prefer to use the window covers overnight, so we can still use the cabin as living space.
The curtain goes from one blob to another, pretty much. It’s attached to the ceiling, not directly to the blob.
I was wondering if there is a way to take used sleeping bags and sew window coverings out of them? We have a second hand store here in Chattanooga that gets a lot of the camping gear that is left at Bonaroo and they sell it for pretty cheap(with good reason). I am not sure I would sleep in one of those bags, but I think I would be willing to wash them up and use them for window insulation. I assume getting them the right size so that they fit close to the window is important. Thoughts?
Why not! The downside I see is that the covers will be super “soft”, so make sure to use plenty of magnets (or velcro, whatever you had in mind). Yeah, in theory you want them as close as possible to the window to minimize condensation (but you’ll get condensation anyway, so…).
Good luck with that 🙂
Wow.
Mocked up some covers over the last week for our first winter trip, very interesting.
Thank fully, I only have three windows I need to insulate, the front window and the driver and passenger windows. This is excepting the back-side window over the bed, which I don’t intend to cover. We don’t have a half window in our sliding door yet, and the longer I go without it, the more I might not add it. But you are correct, it is a painful blindspot.
I did not appreciate the massive size of the front window covering. I now know what covers the majority of your your bed during the day. And getting it in/out, is that normally a two person job? Whew.
I ended up using a sandwich of EZ and mini cell, no thinsulite, bonded with spray adhesive. It’s pretty stiff, and reversible, and about the same R-value.
Georgia? Really?
Hey, if you get up to Michigan (not great mountain biking or half boarding), visit. Great beer here in Kalamazoo. We are 2 minutes off I-94. And can drive you both to Bell’s Brewery (place of Two Hearted IPA) in a non-van.
One of the most informative and down to earth van conversion articles I’ve read, great work.