A little shade for the skylights

[Quadna71]

DW and I wanted to block some of the light coming through the skylights. We have a 24”x16” in the kitchen, another over the shower, and a 16”x16” that is the also the vent in the bathroom. Probably fine for the daytime, but we would like to block the light when we go to bed so that if we sleep in we won’t be dealing with bright light in the morning. I know...shut the bedroom door...but we want to leave it open so the air can flow around the camper better and not get stuffy.

That all said, I wanted to try and make something rather than buy a ready-made product. Blocking the light 100% isn’t our goal but limiting some light would be good even during the day in the summer. I landed on using magnets, flat washers, and some perforated rubber drawer liner material. I picked up a pack of 1.25” diameter neodymium magnets and some adhesive and started figuring it out.

I started out by applying dab of adhesive to each magnet and sticking them in the corners and the sides of the skylight. I placed a little tape over them to keep in place until the adhesive cures. I was feeling good about it so far, so took pictures and texted to the wife who was in the house. Her response, “Why didn’t you put them inside the trim instead of outside the trim?” DERP! Seems obvious now - glad she doesn’t mind giving me her opinion!

Pulled them back off, wiped off the adhesive, dropped the trim, and placed them inside with a dab of sealant. Raised the trim back up and then started on the covers. I cut them to size and then test fit them by just placing the washer below - holds them up fine. I then glued a washer to each corner, and have them drying now. The adhesive is white now but will dry clear. The washer is going to be on the top of them so you won’t see them anyways...and I’ll pull it tighter when it’s in place. Plus I’m going to glue two magnets to the back of the bathroom cupboard to store them on when not in use. Hoping to head back out in a day or two to test them out and will update with more pictures then.

[Quadna71]

Originally Posted by Quadna71

DW and I wanted to block some of the light coming through the skylights. We have a 24”x16” in the kitchen, another over the shower, and a 16”x16” that is the also the vent in the bathroom. Probably fine for the daytime, but we would like to block the light when we go to bed so that if we sleep in we won’t be dealing with bright light in the morning. I know...shut the bedroom door...but we want to leave it open so the air can flow around the camper better and not get stuffy.

That all said, I wanted to try and make something rather than buy a ready-made product. Blocking the light 100% isn’t our goal but limiting some light would be good even during the day in the summer. I landed on using magnets, flat washers, and some perforated rubber drawer liner material. I picked up a pack of 1.25” diameter neodymium magnets and some adhesive and started figuring it out.

I started out by applying dab of adhesive to each magnet and sticking them in the corners and the sides of the skylight. I placed a little tape over them to keep in place until the adhesive cures. I was feeling good about it so far, so took pictures and texted to the wife who was in the house. Her response, “Why didn’t you put them inside the trim instead of outside the trim?” DERP! Seems obvious now - glad she doesn’t mind giving me her opinion!

Pulled them back off, wiped off the adhesive, dropped the trim, and placed them inside with a dab of sealant. Raised the trim back up and then started on the covers. I cut them to size and then test fit them by just placing the washer below - holds them up fine. I then glued a washer to each corner, and have them drying now. The adhesive is white now but will dry clear. The washer is going to be on the top of them so you won’t see them anyways...and I’ll pull it tighter when it’s in place. Plus I’m going to glue two magnets to the back of the bathroom cupboard to store them on when not in use. Hoping to head back out in a day or two to test them out and will update with more pictures then.

[Quadna71]

[Quadna71]

[Quadna71]

[Quadna71]

[Reverse_snowbird]

Clever idea. Nothing like magnets to help solve a problem. I wonder if solar shade material or even just a regular fiberglass screen would work also.

[dannyabear]

Simply remove the 4 screws that hold the inside trim in place and add 2 or 3 layers of solar screen, then replace inside trim, use a couple pieces of tape to keep the screen in place

[lcv800]

I bought a retractable shade for my shower at an RV dealer. 5 minute install with 6 screws. Matches shower skylight perfectly. Around $70. Can't remember name but I'm sure you can find it on Amazon or similar.
Rusty

[Quadna71]

We thought about just adding a couple more layers of screen up above the trim, but decided there may be times when we want to quickly add more light and adding more layers, while not permanent, isn’t a solution you can quickly change up throughout the day.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by lcv800

I bought a retractable shade for my shower at an RV dealer. 5 minute install with 6 screws. Matches shower skylight perfectly. Around $70. Can't remember name but I'm sure you can find it on Amazon or similar.
Rusty

It may be the "Duo Form Thermo Shield RV Skylight Shade" if so they should be Standard in RV showers! They Reduce HEAT and Sunlight! We love ours,and it Looks Factory! Youroo!!

[JMark]

similar solution to magnets....I used leather-like material and spots of velcro..everything white to match ceiling...works great in filtering light and easy to apply/remove/store.

[bubbles]

Several light coats of Plasti-Dip spray in smoke or white sprayed on the skylight till desired light reduction is achieved. I did my car chrome headlight and taillight surrounds with black and no issues at near 100mph test. Will just peel off the Plasti-Dip to change back to chrome when the urge hits me.

[NJKris]

That Duo Form shade is crazy expensive for what it is. Looks nice though.

[BeachBumJan]

I looked up the Duo Form Thermo Shield RV Skylight Shade on Amazon - $120! I love the idea of being able to remove it and will be following your lead and doing the same in our bathroom!

Bravo!

[fkovach1]

I hate waking up to the sunshine in the morning I need my cup of coffee first. We used stiffer cardboard covered in fashionable fabric stuck up with velcro. We also covered the door window in the bedroom. Cardboard is easy to trim, and if you spray contact adhesive on the fabric it is not coming off anytime soon.

[Tundra 2014]

Camco makes square insulated pads w/ foil on 1 side that push up into skylight or use the thermo-foil door windows covers. These both add some insulation value. The magnet are a good idea but the pillows fit tight enough, they do not fall down. Velcro Scotch adhesive pads come w/ the window covers.

[lcv800]

Originally Posted by youroo

It may be the "Duo Form Thermo Shield RV Skylight Shade" if so they should be Standard in RV showers! They Reduce HEAT and Sunlight! We love ours,and it Looks Factory! Youroo!!

Yup, that's them. Thanks.
Rusty

[kittlecat]

While I don't have pictures of what I made for my skylight in the shower, I used dowel rods cut to size, duck canvas (a cream color), sewing machine to create a sleeve for the 2 pieces of dowel rod, and the existing screws in the trim of the skylight to attach the cover on the four corners.

The 4 holes in the corners of the cover allow me to easily attach or remove the cover from the screws on the skylight trim. The cover stays in place even while towing.

It was inexpensive, easy and cuts down tremendously on the light and heat that come in through the skylight that I otherwise love without being totally blackout, which I did not want either as the edges of the cover do not seal. By selecting a light color for the duck fabric, it has not faded in the 4 years it has been in place, nor has it dried the duck canvas out.

[Wolverine 1945]

Painting the outer side of the Skylights & Vent covers, should make the plastic last longer !!! 3 or 4 coats, after cleaning & using a high quality Primer !!!