Reflective Insulation For Windows: Will Reflectix Damage RV?
It depends on whom you believe. Whenever it comes to any products, there will be people for it or against it. Both sides may have legitimate arguments or they are merely repeating obscure facts in hopes of having people buy their alternatives. Which one you buy depends on whom you believe.
Will Reflectix damage RV windows? No, Reflectix won’t damage RV windows. There may be some material transfer, but that is on a minor scale, and overall no one has listed one piece of evidence that Reflectix has damaged their windows. Poor workmanship has but not Reflectix.
To learn more about this product, just continue to read our article. It gets to the bottom of this topic, so you have the straight answers you need to make a smart purchase. Some people will make spurious claims simply because they want to sell you their products instead.
Reflective Insulation For Windows 101
Does Reflectix Keep Heat in and Cold Out?
In the winter season, this product should keep the cold air out. After all, it does cover your windows which is the greatest source for heat loss in a house or an RV. Keeping the heat in helps your furnace work more efficiently and keeps you and your family nice and warm.
Because RVs do not have a lot of insulation, thus getting alternative products to help block the cold invasion is a smart idea. With Reflectix, you also get other benefits besides keeping the cold away.
It will also keep the heat out in the summer and do the same job for your air conditioner it does for your furnace. The key is to make sure you install it right, which means cutting it to the correct size.
When it is the same size and shape as your window, you get the best protection from the cold or heat possible. Other benefits include blocking the light so you can relax better. With the light blocked, you also get a little more privacy when it counts.
Does Reflectix Need An Air Gap?
If you want this product to work up to optimum levels, then yes, you need a little air gap between the windows or metal and the Reflectix. With no air gap, this material cannot do its job right, and you may find that there is still a lot of heat or cold getting through to your RV’s interior.
It seems that anything touching the sides of the Reflectix material will render it powerless to reflect or radiate any heat or cold. You must find a secure way to hold the material in place and maintain that gap.
One person went to brass rods and mirror clips to hold their Reflectix against the windows. All it took was to screw the clips into the metal side of your RV and place the rod in a vertical position, and the gap was maintained.
However, you should look at the design of your windows and RV and see what type of holder will work best for your situation. Materials are not always expensive to buy to make sure the product stays in place.
Does Reflectix Help With Sound?
The best material for soundproofing is usually material that is porous and thick. Reflectix is not that thick, and it may not be as porous as other soundproofing materials. In fact, it is not the top choice when you want to soundproof a room.
It works best for absorbing sounds when wrapped around ducting, but most people prefer different materials. This product has been advertised that it is a good material to absorb sound, and it may work in most cases.
That is because it is more of a sound reflector than a sound-absorbing material. That will help if you need to quiet the noise your neighbors make late into the evening. This is something you will have to test for yourself and even try it to see if it reflects the sound away from your neighbor’s ears when you turn on your stereo or television set.
Does Reflectix Work When Covered?
Yes, Reflectix seems to work when covered, and some people have designed their own window covers using two layers of this material. The key to having the Reflectix work when covered is to maintain a sealed air gap between layers.
Once you have that air gap, your R-value for insulation goes up quite a ways. When used in this way, you get a break from the heat, the cold as well as the light. You can cover your windows and block all those elements without worry.
When you use a cover to overlap the Reflectix, make sure to use one that does not absorb or retain water. A good vinyl material is a good option to use, but you are free to use whatever material you want to.
Also, make sure the ensemble cover has a tight fit over your windows. Any air leaks, and you are defeating the purpose of the Reflectix cover. You have to watch the corners, as that seems to be the weakest spot in this setup.
How to Use Reflectix in RV
The basic construction materials for Refllectix is a little bubble wrap in between two pieces of aluminum. That gives it a very thin design, so you can place this material just about anywhere you want. Here are some options that are available for you to try in your RV:
- 1. Water heater - when you use a tank model, this material is good to keep the heat inside. That way, you use less propane and have more hot water at your disposal. Just cut it to size and make sure there are no holes letting the heat out.
- 2. Ice chest - you can add an extra layer of insulation by installing this material in key locations in your ice chest. This will help your ice last longer and keep your food colder and fresher longer.
- 3. Insulation from heat - use in your RV windows or if you have a pop-up camper, place it between your screen and the canvas. This material reflects heat away, so your RV interior stays warmer. It will lock the light, and your view, so use it wisely.
- 4. Coffee cup cozy - if you do not have an insulated travel mug, then use a piece of this material to keep your coffee hotter longer. Just cut to size and wrap it around the mug, and do not forget to cover the bottom.
- 5. Sleeping bag aid - if you like to sleep under the stars, then Reflectix will help keep the ground chill from entering your bag during the night. It will reflect away that cold, helping you stay warmer and sleep better.
Reflectix for RV Windows
This is one of the main uses for this product. The Reflectix material works best in windows as that is where the heat and cold get in the fastest. With the right placement, you can block the light, reflect either the heat or the cold, and regulate your interior temperature better.
To size this product to your windows, you can use newspaper to make a template and then cut the Reflectix to that size and shape. Then attach some Velcro tape to the edges and place the finished product on your windows.
There are many options you can use, and another one is to place them between your tinted windows and their shades. As long as you have an air gap, your insulation efforts should be rewarded.
Another person made his own 5 layer design with a sealed air gap. He used corrugated vinyl as the exterior material, then 2 layers of Reflectix and a custom fit design to have them securely stay in place.
With the light blocked and extra privacy, it should be easier to sleep at night.
Will Reflectix Damage RV Windows?
According to the Reflectix competitors, this is a possibility. But many RV owners have used this product for years and have not seen any damage done to their windows. This concept that it does is more of an urban myth possibly put out by those who want to sell other window cover options.
One owner saw a little silver transfer, not enough to be really concerned about it. That is the same attitude most users of this product have. They are not concerned about any damage as this material does not harm your windows.
If you have any other questions, then this link to the Reflectix FAQs should answer them for you. When you are using spacers, there is little contact between this product and your windows.
In comparison, you may have as much chance of damaging your windows as you would have having a meteor fall on you at some point in your life. Our research did not find one person showing any evidence or claiming that this product was causing window damage.
How to Install Reflectix On RV Windows
The first step to install Reflectix on your windows would be to buy enough of the product to cover all the windows after cutting it to size. While it is okay to have too much, it is never okay to have too little. If you end up with the latter, you will have to make a second trip to the store to get some more.
Next, once you have your supplies, measure your windows and cut your templates. Then use those templates to help you cut the Reflectix to the proper size. You can do this step one at a time or all at once. It doesn’t matter.
After you have cut your pieces, then add on some Velcro tape. How much you add will depend on you but making sure there are no gaps between you and the windows, you should go all the way around.
Of course, you will want this tape on both the Reflectix and the window. Some people suggest having the soft side next to the Reflectix, but this is your call as well. Finally, once the tape is in place, put it in your windows.
Run your hand along the taped edge and make sure the Velcro is sealed properly, then clean up your mess, and you’re done.
Reflectix On RV Roof
This may be a good idea in certain applications and not for covering your whole roof with this material. Most roof options we have seen in our research are where the RV owners used Reflectix to insulate vents or skylights.
Like the windows, you can use Velcro tape to seal the material in place, and one couple went as far as using duck tape in their bathroom. They covered the vent then used the duck tape to keep it in place.
Other people use what they called command clips to hold the Reflectix in position. They covered their shower stall and bathroom vents using this product like you would a blanket or sheet of plastic, then secured the product in place with those clips.
You have lots of options to choose from when it comes to securing Reflectix in place. Use what is handy or fits your budget while doing a good job. Make sure to cover the entire dimensions of the vents, skylights, and other roof openings.
This is a good material to use on your ducting system as well, especially when it gets cold out.
Reflectix in RV Cabinets
Suppose your RV is like other owners’ RVs, then you may have your closets in your slide-outs. When that is the case, these closets can let a nice draft come through the walls. This may be a good idea when the temperatures are hot out, but when they are cool, it is not so much fun.
Use newspaper or some other easy-to-use material to create your template. We suggest you make a template first, as you may not have room for extra hands to hold the Reflectix in place while you cut. If you make a mistake cutting, you have to use a new piece.
Once you have your template, place it over the Reflectix and cut the latter to size. Then add your secure holder, whatever that may be, and place the material in your closets or cabinets.
These areas in your RV are out of sight and may not be as insulated as you would like them to be. Placing Reflectix there will keep it out of sight and not ruin the look of your RV’s interior.
Reflectix RV Skirting
There should be no problem using this material on your skirting. If you like to winter camp or live in cold regions, having an extra insulation layer will always be a good idea.
Reflectix will help keep the cold away and protect your pipes, seals, gaskets, and valves from freezing. Just follow the same basic rules and leave a little sealed air gap between your skirting material and this product. Placing it on your skirting should not be as tough as trying to place this material in cabinets, closets, or roof vents.
The key to using this product this way is not to use it by itself. You will need some exterior cover material to help it keep the cold out. Reflectix may not have the R-value you need when you are going to skirt your RV, so you may need to add in other insulating materials or skip using this product.
Can you Paint Reflectix?
Some people do not like the look of foil in their windows, so they decide to paint their Reflectix. It is possible to do and if you want black, keep in mind that color absorbs heat.
Plus, if you do not treat the paint right, it can produce some bad odors when the sun hits it. The other concern you may have is if the paint will chip away when you take the Reflectix off your windows to drive and fold them up.
You may need to use some fabric paint with a medium to help keep the paint flexible. Regular paint does not have that flexibility, so you may be wasting your time painting this material.
Some people put 6 coats of paint on and hardly changed the color, so you will need paint that sticks to Reflectix materials.
Some Final Words
Using different materials to block out the sun, the heat, or the cold is a good idea. The main issue will be how to store those covers. That is what makes Reflectix a good choice. You can store the pieces easier than you can other alternatives.
For the most part, we did not see anyone really tearing into this product, claiming it is too cheap and doesn’t work well. Most had good things to say.
