Just like traditional homes, window blinds can be
custom-made for houseboats and RV’s. Customization is recommended over
ready-made window coverings; they’re more durable, and will fit the size of
smaller windows to your specifications. Like other homeowners, RV and boat dwellers
want their décor to look chic and beautiful for their own enjoyment and for
entertaining. Here are few things that anyone who owns a mobile home or boat
should consider when choosing blinds or shades:
1) Curtains can incur more dust in mobile homes, and dust from the road or sea air can become easily trapped. Avoid heavy curtains if possible.
2) Constant
lowering to protect from the heat, and raising to see the night sky can wear
blinds down more quickly.
3) Operation
in bumpy conditions, whether riding the waves or driving the open road, can
lead to further damage.
Why They’re Recommended
Blinds allow for total privacy, when it’s necessary. Most
places you’d park and sleep in an RV or boat would provide little, if any, seclusion.
Blinds will ensure that you’re not woken up by strangers peeking through your
windows.
RV’s and boats are extremely susceptible to sun damage, as
are the people living inside of them. The charm of these vehicles is that they
provide scenic views for all aboard. However, that beautiful sun will fade and
warp furniture, while damaging your skin. It will also make it very difficult
to cool down the vehicle during hot Summer months. Blinds are a great way to
insulate RV’s and trap in air conditioning, and block out the sun reflecting
off the water into those houseboat windows.
What to Choose – The Top 3 Window Treatments for Moveable
Homes
1. Solar Shades
- Great insulators
- Inexpensive
- Durable
- Protect your view out to the outside while making it difficult for people to see in
- Protect from UVA and UVB rays as well as sun damage
2. Shutters
- Extremely durable
- Optimal light control
- Gorgeous, and never go out of style
- They fit snugly in the window casing to prevent slippage and damage
- Durable, great for homes with kids and pets
- Long lasting
- Available in lots of colors
- Very inexpensive
- Allows for better light control due to adjustable slats
Happy decorating,
A great article about window blinds. My wife and I live on a houseboat, and we know that it poses a different environment for window coverings and odd sizes.
There's a lot of questions and answers on our Houseboat website about how to go about decorating the insides of a boat.
Folks are looking for durable and efficient window coverings that enhance the interior and available waterfront scenery.
We have a set of aluminum blinds, yet they have to be secured at the bottom, as the rocking motion on a boat can create quite the racket.
Like I said, I just wanted to share my thoughts on how blinds play a big role in our daily houseboat living enjoyment.
IAN from http://www.all-about-houseboats.com
Posted by: All about Houseboats | May 14, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Thanks Ian, that's a great tip. Tie downs are important for keeping the blinds secured when the home is moving. They'll prevent wear and tear over the long run.
-Esther
Posted by: Esther | May 15, 2009 at 07:03 AM