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Topic: Shower skylight cover?
Posted By: Wrace on 07/05/12 11:14pm

I would like some sort of cover to put in the shower skylight to reflect/block sunlight yet still be easily removable for the once-a-day showers. I'm 6' 4" and use the skylight so I can stand up mostly straight while taking a shower.

I see carefree has this type but I'm a little concerned that the roll is mounted such that it hangs below the skylight and might be a headbanger for me.
http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/carefr........ction=product&productid=59&categoryid=34

I've read some of the back-posts about using the reflectix bubble insulation for windows and such but I assume this stuff is not thick enough by itself to be just pushed up into the skylight and have it stay there? I'm not concerned about something staying in place while traveling at this point because the trailer is parked in one location for the rest of this year. Maybe take a piece of 4" foam and glue the reflectix to it and then just shove it up in the skylight and hope it stays?

Or what about mounting mirror mount clips at the four corners of the skylight trim piece, and then covering a piece of cardboard with tin foil or reflectix and slip the cardboard into the mirror clips each night after the shower?

What do you think?

Also, is it possible to buy this reflectix in smaller quantities than the 4'x25' rolls at homedepot?

Thanks

Posted By: path1 on 07/06/12 01:15am

Why not paint the top of skylight with cheap black waterpaint then if you don't like it hose it off. If you do like it use some good paint on it.

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Posted By: swebber on 07/06/12 05:49am

Wrace wrote:

Also, is it possible to buy this reflectix in smaller quantities than the 4'x25' rolls at homedepot?

Thanks


Camping World carries smaller rolls, albeit at a higher price. If you are looking for a piece just to cover your skylight, head to the Auto section of any WalMart or head to AutoZone, PepBoys, etc... and look at the winshield covers. they are also made of Reflectix.

Steve Webber
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Posted By: Beverley&Ken on 07/06/12 06:21am

How about using heavy duty velcro around the edges to hold the reflectix in place.

Beverley and Ken

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Posted By: Ron3rd on 07/06/12 06:33am

Beverley&Ken wrote:

How about using heavy duty velcro around the edges to hold the reflectix in place.

Beverley and Ken


That's what we did.

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Posted By: sheltonlp on 07/06/12 06:43am

I had a panel made out of boat top material and use velcro to secure it...works great.

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Posted By: JohnandCara2 on 07/06/12 06:56am

We had same problem so I cut a piece of foam board used for posters in the shape of the dome , Then first used velcro later changed to removing the screws and putting washers to hold in place.

Posted By: 1fastdad on 07/06/12 07:12am

Iuse a peice of 3" foam rubber cut to fit tight on the hole.

Posted By: dogwood36322 on 07/06/12 07:39am

I took down the inside lexan panel and put tin foil between the ouside and inside panels. Cuts out the heat and the light since our shower is not seperated from the bedroom.

Jim,
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Posted By: Wally Walleye on 07/06/12 09:31am

Use 2 tension spring curtain rods and a piece of material hemmed on both ends. Easy in easy out. You can use a light colored material to allow filter light in or a darker material to block out light and heat. Washable and cheap. Get rods at Wallymart

Posted By: sljkansas on 07/06/12 09:53am

Our local Tru-Value carries the refectix, that you can buy by the foot.

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Posted By: pigman1 on 07/06/12 04:35pm

1fastdad wrote:

Iuse a peice of 3" foam rubber cut to fit tight on the hole.
Yep, and DW covered it with a semi waterproof material. Since we go to Alaska a lot, it works great in the land of the midnight sun. Also super in very cold weather, +15 or so, to help keep the inside warm.

John

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Posted By: MALE*RN*777 on 07/07/12 07:08am

We have a couple of those extension rods to hang towels. What I do is to take the towel and hang it from on extension rod to the the shower rod which blocks the sun light. Cost is an extention rod which is used and can be removed without defacing the camper.

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Posted By: ralphnjoann on 07/07/12 08:06am

Here are some options:

Vent Cushion

Reflective Cover

White Vent Cover

Posted By: Wiscampsin on 07/07/12 08:19am

DW cut a piece of insulated drapery backing she had and velcroed it in place. Works well as it still lets in light but blocks the heat.

Posted By: mikestock on 07/07/12 11:10am

If you are OK with blocking the light permanently, those skylights (at least mine) are in two layers. The thing allowed sunshine into the bedroom too early in the morning. I removed the bottom layer and installed a black plastic liner between the layers. The plastic I used was thin and it still allows a small amount of light through. If you want to totally block it you could use an aluminum foil liner.

Posted By: dennis1949 on 07/07/12 11:16am

I cut 2" styrofoam insulation to fit in the skylight. Helded it in place with velcro srips. it blocked the light and insulated the sky light. worked great

Dennis Carpenter
Decatur Alabama
2012 GMC 3/4 ton Z71 Diesel
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Posted By: Dixon Mark on 07/08/12 11:43am

I had a canvas shop come by and measure the sky lights and made some heavy duty covers that snap into place.

Posted By: westend on 07/08/12 04:33pm

Another one: Cut a piece of this Plas-Tex 1/8" larger than both dimensions and push into place. You may want to attach a tab of tape, cloth, etc. for easy removal.
In fact, I have 35 sq. ft. of it. If you contact me through PM and can relay the size of your skylight opening, I'll cut the piece and send it along. That's all I can do for you, today, lol.

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Posted By: Wrace on 07/09/12 12:46pm

Thanks for the replies. I am going to pick up the 14x14 cushions from CW on the way down to the trailer this week for the three vents in the tt. Probably cut a sheet of the refectix to go on top of the pillow and shove it up into the vent.

CW doesn't show a pillow available for the skylight, and I don't remember what size those skylights are?

3" foam rubber 3" x 24" x 80" is $40 on ebay. I do have some foam around here but its real low density and would not likely stay in place at all.

Posted By: blackfyreterv on 07/09/12 10:15pm

I cut a size of the reflectix and used some commercial grade velcro to hold it in place, this works to block out the light, keep out the heat and keep out the cold. When I want light it is easily removed so you can shower and easily put back in place when finished.

This has worked well for me. I bought a big roll of the stuff at Home Depot as it was less money than Camping world and I made custom window covers and vent covers all for the cost of three vent covers premade.

BlackFyre Farms-Belgian Tervuren,Laekenois & Arabian Horses make me ">
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Posted By: Wadcutter on 07/10/12 06:57am

I got some aluminum J channel that's used for aluminum siding. Cut it to fit on 3 sides around the shower dome and held in place by the same screws that hold the dome. Round the exposed ends to eliminate the sharp points. This creates a slot. I then cut some white paneling to fit in the slot. When I need shade the paneling just slides in. Being white it matches the color of the ceiling. When you want light then remove the siding and it easily stores under the mattress. The channel holds it snug enough that the paneling won't move when going down the road.
I made similar for the overhead vent in the bedroom.
[image]
[image]
[image]
[image]

Camped in every state


Posted By: ctpres on 07/10/12 09:44am

Wadcutter gets my vote for idea of the month!

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Posted By: Wadcutter on 07/10/12 11:57am

ctpres wrote:

Wadcutter gets my vote for idea of the month!

Thanks. Actually it didn't cost us anything as I had the J channel and panelling scraps from previous jobs. Even if had to buy the pieces it still would have been a cheap fix. J channel can be had in aluminum or plastic and in several colors. It definitely keeps the light and heat out and it doesn't take up any space when not in use.

Posted By: tahiti16 on 07/10/12 11:45pm

We found that a standard door reflector, that comes with Velcro, will push up into the skylight and pretty much stay put. We put a vent pillow under it pushed into place to help hold it, works good and drops the heat in coach drastically. [emoticon]

Ray, Cheryl & of course Miss Molly the four-legged child

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Posted By: zman-az on 07/16/12 03:32pm

Wadcutter wrote:

I got some aluminum J channel that's used for aluminum siding.....
[image]


You need to patent that idea. You could do really well with some kits that are ready to go. Maybe it could be made out of a plastic (not sure if that alum would cut someone) and have insullated panels. Great idea and looks good.




Posted By: Exocet on 07/16/12 07:02pm

Wadcutter wrote:

I got some aluminum J channel that's used for aluminum siding. Cut it to fit on 3 sides around the shower dome and held in place by the same screws that hold the dome. Round the exposed ends to eliminate the sharp points. This creates a slot. I then cut some white paneling to fit in the slot. When I need shade the paneling just slides in. Being white it matches the color of the ceiling. When you want light then remove the siding and it easily stores under the mattress. The channel holds it snug enough that the paneling won't move when going down the road.


I like the idea. I've been using velcro to hold my Reflectrix in place, but when the inside of the trailer gets hot, the adhesive fails and it drops into the tub.

I'll be heading out to get some J-channel soon.

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Posted By: btcruzer on 07/17/12 09:31am

my reason for blocking the bathroom dome was to keep the heat out. I had put the reflective stuff in the Max-Air covers and then another layer inside the roof vents (below the screen). By then time was running short and I wanted to do something about the bathroom. Didn't have the time to do something complicated but wanted to see if a cover would really help. Thought that preventing the heat from entering would be better than trapping the heat between the dome and some sort of barrier. Walking to the RV, I passed our trash cans. The plastic lid looked to be about the same size and shape as my bathroom skylight. I carried it up the ladder and plopped it down over the skylight. Went inside and this had cut the light to next to nothing. After the next day it was obvious that blocking the sunlight had reduced the amount of heat a bunch. Now the trash can lid rides in the back of the truck until we setup and then it is a simple thing to put into place. Haven't had any big winds yet but don't think it'll be a problem to secure if the need arises.

I've checked the temps between the Max-Air vents and the reflectix placed at ceiling lever and it quite a bit less warm than before the stuff was put in the Max- Airs. I was kind of dubious of this suggestion before I tried it but I'm thinking it is effective, especially when the sun is not shining directly into the open side of the vents.

We used to use the reflective stuff inside our windows as a heat shield. The heat between the glass and reflective stuff was tremendous. We now put the reflective on the OUTSIDE of the window, using suction cups and small bungee cords. This is usually done only when we plan to be in one place a few days.

The Good Times are Coming !

Posted By: Tom&Dale on 08/08/12 06:36pm

Tom&Dale wrote:


Wadcutter,
Appreciate your posting the J channel idea - a great one. Instead of installing under the skylight, like yours, I installed over the skylight cover edge. Also used a wood door skin panel, light at 1/8" thickness, and cut to cover only up to the edge. Think it came out nice.

Wadcutter replied:
Looks good. While it's not insulated it will cut the heat coming in too. When the cover isn't being used it doesn't take up any space to store it.


Another post on Reflectix for the AC cover prompted me to add this to our skylight cover. It dropped the shower side surface temperature 10 degrees but increased it by 20 in the space between the cover and skylight.

* This post was last edited 08/08/12 07:58pm by Tom&Dale *

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Posted By: jcullipher on 08/13/12 08:48pm

I lowered the bottom section of skylight, put alumimum foil over the top of it, screwed back into place.......... definite cooling inside during 95-100 degree days.

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Posted By: 2Shays3712 on 08/15/12 08:41am

I have been watching this thread for a few weeks and love the great ideas, but came up with my own last weekend. Bought privacy window film by Gila at Bigbox store, dropped the inside cover of the clear shower dome and installed film over cover. Light is diminished, but sill have good light from fan vent. I am 6'4" and can still see the trees through the dome. Enough light diminished to continue sleeping in late! Don't know how well the film will last on plastic, but will let you know. Didn't even have to trim the edges of the film.

Posted By: JBarca on 03/24/13 01:23pm

I bumped into this thread looking for something else.

Here is what we did on the shower dome.

DW made it and I can up with the shock cord clips. Summer keeps heat out, winter keeps heat in. Easy in and out. The shock cord stays attached on one end and we sling it outside the shower when use the shower.

[image]

[image]

[image]

[image]

She also did the roof vents. Each room has matching room fabric.
[image]

Never knew they sold the vent cushions. Bought the 2" foam at Joann Fabric store, DW had the fabric laying around from other sewing projects.

Hope this helps

John

John & Cindy

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Posted By: Ductape Dave on 07/19/12 02:02pm

I am working on the same problem. Great solution Wadcutter, works for me! [emoticon]

Posted By: TGarrett on 07/19/12 02:31pm

RV Skylight Shade This might be an option

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Posted By: Jayco254 on 07/17/12 09:33am

Most of these ideas won't work since the OP needs the skylight because of his size, I'm also 6'4" and use the sky light to stand under because of it's bubble shape. Since they're two pieces inside and outside I put a charcoal tinted outer one on the roof. They just need to make the showers a few inches higher.

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Posted By: Wrace on 07/17/12 12:18pm

Jayco254 wrote:

Most of these ideas won't work since the OP needs the skylight because of his size, I'm also 6'4" and use the sky light to stand under because of it's bubble shape. Since they're two pieces inside and outside I put a charcoal tinted outer one on the roof. They just need to make the showers a few inches higher.

That's true, anything hanging below the skylight trim piece is going impact my head. My head pretty much brushes up against the ceiling until I get my head inside the skylight dome. [emoticon]

I had to remove and reinstall the skylight on this tt for re-sealing and it is just a one piece unit.

I don't want to paint the skylight as the other 10 months of the year I very much like the light it brings into the bathroom.

I've been trying to use the reflexic and velcro but the velcro just pulls off the plastic trim piece. So maybe I should just get a ladder and put a sheet of tin foil over the top of the skylight and hold it down with rocks at each of the four corners. (trailer is parked for a few months)

Posted By: PikeRoadWarrior on 07/17/12 05:28pm

I did the Reflectix / Velcro skylight mod during a recent stay, and I can report that we documented a 2-deg drop in temperature.

We only have one AC and in the current summertime temperatures at best it pulls a 7-to-8 deg drop vs. the outside air temperature. After this mod we were easily holding 10 degrees. For example, if it was 88F outside we'd be enjoying 78F inside. We set the thermostat at 74 so during most of the day the AC runs continuously.

I have a digital thermometer with inside and outside monitoring stations with a precision of 1/10th a degree. The outside transmitter is in the floor of one the propane tank wells. The inside is beside the thermostat, which is up in our bunkhouse bedroom.

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Posted By: Doc Eagle on 07/19/12 06:18pm

Alright heard some great ideas there. Here is my two cents. What if you installed a set of snaps around the outside edge of your outside skylight and made a cover out of canvas or such to cover it. Dependent if you wanted to leave it in place while your driving or not would determine how many snaps to install or I guess really windy areas. Just a thought.

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Posted By: Wadcutter on 07/21/12 06:27pm

zman-az wrote:

Maybe it could be made out of a plastic (not sure if that alum would cut someone) and have insullated panels. Great idea and looks good.

Plastic J channel should work just as well. I had aluminum left over from a siding project so just used what was laying around. If I didn't have any on hand I'd go with plastic J channel.

Posted By: sausageking on 07/22/12 08:52pm

What about using window screen clips screwed to the frame of the skylight and foam board. Cut the foam board to fit the opening, turn the clip 90 degrees to hold it in place. To remove turn clips parallel with frame, drop out board and all that is visible is four small clips and sky light is functional again.

Posted By: nremtp143 on 07/23/12 08:01am

I was tired of the skylight heating up the bathroom. With the fantastic fan in there we had plenty of light. So I ventured to the store yesterday and bought Krylon Fusion Gloss White paint. I went home and cleaned the skylight on top and used masking tape to save about an inch on clear plastic around the base, and painted the skylight from the top. When I pulled the tape off, there was no visible way to see the clear area, so I taped off the roof and painted the entire skylight. Below is what it looks like in the shower and bathroom this morning. Kind of a 'frosted' look but without direct sunlight.
[image]
Yep, got something between the layers I didn't see before.
[image]
Still a good deal of light but I know it will cut down on the amount of heat in the bathroom. Of course, this winter will be different, but that's why we have heat.[emoticon]

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Posted By: texasjayco on 07/23/12 07:02pm

sausageking wrote:

What about using window screen clips screwed to the frame of the skylight and foam board. Cut the foam board to fit the opening, turn the clip 90 degrees to hold it in place. To remove turn clips parallel with frame, drop out board and all that is visible is four small clips and sky light is functional again.


This is exactly whet I plan to do.

With these clips:
[image]

Mark

2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS
2011 Ford F-350 Lariat Diesel Dually

Posted By: Tom&Dale on 07/24/12 06:19pm

Wadcutter,
Appreciate your posting the J channel idea - a great one. Instead of installing under the skylight, like yours, I installed over the skylight cover edge. Also used a wood door skin panel, light at 1/8" thickness, and cut to cover only up to the edge. Think it came out nice.
Thanks again,
Tom

Posted By: Wadcutter on 07/25/12 07:18am

Tom&Dale wrote:

Wadcutter,
Appreciate your posting the J channel idea - a great one. Instead of installing under the skylight, like yours, I installed over the skylight cover edge. Also used a wood door skin panel, light at 1/8" thickness, and cut to cover only up to the edge. Think it came out nice.
Thanks again,
Tom

Looks good. While it's not insulated it will cut the heat coming in too. When the cover isn't being used it doesn't take up any space to store it.

Posted By: Doc Eagle on 07/26/12 08:07am

Nice job!!! Looks very professional.

Posted By: Ductape Dave on 07/31/12 12:56pm

I tried velcro but the glue side kept coming off the skylight, installed the J channel and it works great. Just slide in the Reflectix. I cut the flange off the J channel so it was the same width as the other side, drilled a larger hole in the face so the screws could pass through and mounted to skylight frame with the frame screws. Looks and works great. Thanks Wadcutter!

Posted By: Wrace on 08/01/12 01:23pm

Well I am once again back at square one with this issue.

This past week while at the trailer I decided to try the method outlined by sausageking and just hoped that it didn't interfere with my head while taking a shower.

I had purchased mirror clips to use, but shortly after seeing the clips that texasjayco posted I happened to be standing at the toilet doing my business, and while staring at the window above the toilet I noticed/remembered the same clips surrounding said window. When I ordered the TT new 13 years ago I ordered the storm window option which uses those clips to hold the windows in. So I borrowed four of those clips to try on the skylight.

I glued a piece of the reflexic to a piece of corex board, then went to install the clips at the four coroners of the skylight trim piece. It quickly became apparent that the clips would need to be spaced down with washers in order to get the corex/reflexic under the clip.

When taking a shower that night it became apparent that the two clips on one side of the trim piece were head gougers. I'm already stooped over in that shower and the skylight at least gives me a little room to get the shower head above my head. I suspect any solution for this problem in my case is going to have to be something that doesn't hang down below the trim piece.

Although I'm going to give the clips one more try after making a new corex/reflexic panel with the reflexic not carried out to the edges of the panel, thus allowing installation of clips without having to space them down as they will only be securing the thickness of the corex board.

Also I remain in search of a suitable piece of dense foam that is thick enough to provide enough structure that it will stay put when shoved up in the skylight hole.

Even though the mirror clip was lower profile than the storm window clip, it still hung down too far when washers were applied.
[image]

Corex with reflexic (sp?)
[image]

Posted By: xPIXx on 08/01/12 03:41pm

I took the inner dome out and installed a piece of black felt and reinstalled the inner dome. It let's in enough light for the shower and isn't in the way. And only cost a few bucks.

Posted By: sausageking on 08/01/12 06:41pm

The screen clips that I found at homedepot.ca were flat and 1 1/4 long. If you type the number 1000436017 in the search box they should come up, this is the best that I can do since I'm "CLICKY" challenged. I have not tried them yet but plan on doing so as I also had issues with the velcro peeling away.

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