Day/Night roller shade options?

Topic: Day/Night roller shade options? (Read 2578 times) previous topic - next topic

Day/Night roller shade options?

November 04, 2016, 12:27:11 pm

Have done searches here on this topic and on the web in general. Most FoFum users predominantly use MCD for day/night roller shades when replacing pleated shades. We will be replacing one or two shades per month - self install. There are many types of mounting brackets but the Over/Under configuration appear to be best as opposed to a "Y" type install bracket.

After doing a fair bit of research into this type product/suppliers it appears that there are a few options:

- Purchase from MCD - Most widely known name - premium name/price. We could go to their plant for measure and install.

- Use Shade Smith/Irvine Shade and Door - Also appears to use the United Shade products as a source. Save $60.00+/- per shade.

- Automotionshades only appear to be available from RV manufactureres.

- There are many companies that sell RV window shades but most do not appear to use the Over/Under configuration so we have eliminated them from consideration.

Have any members used the Smith/Irvine Shade supplier and if so what were your results?

Anyone use another supplier and what were your results?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #1 – November 04, 2016, 07:25:30 pm

You might try Ron DeHaven, " The Shade Man" his email is rd3523@aol.com he sells Slow rise shades which I believe are from Irvine. We have had them 2 years all is good and Ron is great to work with. I did the install piece of cake just get a long extension for you drill makes life a bunch easier.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #2 – November 04, 2016, 08:33:52 pm

Thanks -

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #3 – November 04, 2016, 08:51:43 pm

Scott,

We did MCD manual shades. Installed them ourselves. One of the easiest projects we've done. Opted for under/under if I'm understanding you correctly. Both shades come down on side closest to the window. We choose this since we do not have the side valance and there would be a small space that would let light in/out. Also I felt it would help to insulate the window a little better since it traps air against the window. (we have single pane). The down side is that if night shade is up day shade rubs it slightly and goes up a little more slowly than when both go up together. (only negative I could think of)

But as our friend @Dave M says DWMYH!

see ya
ken

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #4 – November 04, 2016, 11:09:17 pm

We did the same as Ken. Had MCD build them and mail them to us, then installed them. Quite easy, and per Barry and Cindy's advice, we also had the shades unroll close to the windows. One of the best mods we've done to the coach.
We did go to MCD to have them make and install the front shades. since at that time they wouldn't let others install them (I understand that policy has changed. )

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #5 – November 04, 2016, 11:51:09 pm

Seiberts--
We installed our six manual MCDs into our valAnces that Infinity from NAC recovered about a year ago. We started with their website and pursued the buy over the phone. Good phone skills--and that scores big with me. ( I kid a lot, but, when customer service is good, I get serious.) The MCD ground team performed very well for us--and we have really enjoyed the shades. Elegant.

Everytime we are fixin' to Curtain Up at night, we recognize how well they work. Blacked out from the outside at night! In bright sun, the entry door sun shade really cuts down on heat gain, I feel.

We have not updated any windshield treatment yet, but if their front shades work like these, I am sold.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #6 – November 05, 2016, 01:24:33 am

We'd like to replace the shades in front (inside) of the windshield and would like to know what our options are. I saw the MCD images - does anyone have an alternative that is easy to use by one person?

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #7 – November 05, 2016, 11:11:59 am

Dave,
Did you go with split shades in the front or ones that go all the way across? I read that they weren't doing the split shades anymore...
Don

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – November 04, 2016, 11:09:17 pm

We did the same as Ken. Had MCD build them and mail them to us, then installed them. Quite easy, and per Barry and Cindy's advice, we also had the shades unroll close to the windows. One of the best mods we've done to the coach.
We did go to MCD to have them make and install the front shades. since at that time they wouldn't let others install them (I understand that policy has changed. )

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #8 – November 05, 2016, 11:48:49 pm

Don,

We did a single double roller shade for the windshield with the wedge idea from Bill and Donna. Shades unroll toward the valance. They work great. no need for the "flap". Make sure to measure the width at the bottom where the shades come down at an angle along the wedges. It is a bit narrower than it is at the top due to the curve of the windshield.

MCD Windshield shades self install

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #9 – November 13, 2016, 12:10:29 am

Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) – November 05, 2016, 11:11:59 am

Dave,
Did you go with split shades in the front or ones that go all the way across? I read that they weren't doing the split shades anymore...
Don

Sorry - didn't see your question - MCD did a single shade all the way across, with a flap and cutout to go over the instrument "hump", and they installed side channels that capture the edges of the shades. That works well, and the only part of the install that we aren't excited about, is that the shades hang down about 6" when they're fully up. I think that's because there isn't enough clearance between the day and night rollers to have it go all the way up. One of these days I'll take it down and drill new pivot holes in the side plates (or possibly make new ones.)

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #10 – November 13, 2016, 11:00:00 am

Had MCD shades installed last month at FOT. Front shade is a single double shade. Had to modify the front speaker enclosures depth on the front upper valence as my speakers have enclosures on the back side. My shades also hang down approx 6". Also installed single doubles throughout the coach. I found FOT to have a better price than MCD on the shades(may be that they are an OEM and not an end user. They get shades delivered in approx. 1 week.

John

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #11 – November 15, 2016, 09:43:41 pm

We have had our MCD split power front shades for about 6+ years- installed at MOT.

Bedroom manual MCD's are about 4-5 years old.

Last year we finished the coach by going to the MCD factory- having manual shades made and installed. We had the new sunscreen shade installed on our entry door- love it.

As of December we will have lived full time in our coach for 9 years- got it the way we like it. Having fun on the road and hope to see you down the road.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #12 – November 16, 2016, 12:21:11 am

My 2001 has two powered shades on the windshield, one see thru and one light blocking.

Are these original or where they added at some point?

Steve

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #13 – November 16, 2016, 01:39:49 am

Most likely add by PO.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #14 – November 21, 2016, 06:09:18 pm

Update - We have decided to purchase our double roll day/night shades from the FT Parts Dept. - Mike Grimes. MSRP was a little less than MCD - MC Discount = best price around. We will complete this project in 2 to 3 steps. First step is the 3 large windows in the salon plus the tall narrow one by the passenger seat. Next will be the BR, Kitchen Driver's window and door and then the front windshield. As we have outside sunscreens for the front windshield, entry door and driver's window they will be last.

Expected delivery is 17 days +/-.

Not sure how they will fit into the existing valances but we will find out.

Edit: Thanks all for your input.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #15 – November 21, 2016, 09:10:54 pm

Scott,

They should fit fine in the existing valences. In fact, we were recovering ours and I was able to make them 2" less tall on the top ones. The extra 2" gives you a noticeable increase in usable window area. You don't have to do it right now but consider for the future if you recover the valences.

For the two big windows in the slide, I installed a 2"x4" the length of the slot and then the shades. It was just right to get the shades down to the edge of the recess slot.

Rich

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #16 – November 23, 2016, 06:45:55 pm

Can some of ya'll post pictures of your shade installs, please. I read the words, but my simple mind can't visualize the products.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #17 – November 23, 2016, 07:01:01 pm

Is anyone having problems with their MCDs? I had several installed at FT in July that no longer recognize any stops. Is this an adjustment issue or a warranty issue?

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #18 – November 23, 2016, 07:03:45 pm

I had mine installed at FOT in Sept and have had no problems. May be in need of having limits re-set.

John

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #19 – November 23, 2016, 07:22:11 pm

Quote from: George and Steph – November 23, 2016, 07:01:01 pm

Is anyone having problems with their MCDs? I had several installed at FT in July that no longer recognize any stops. Is this an adjustment issue or a warranty issue?

There are adjustment knobs on each end of each shade. They are the same diameter as the shade. One is to adjust speed the other sets where the shade stops.

see ya
ken

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #20 – November 23, 2016, 09:34:45 pm

Instructions are available online. I have to adjust mine occasionally.

Rich

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #21 – November 24, 2016, 06:10:43 am

Thanks! Relieved to know they are able to be set. Downside of not doing it myself is not having instructions.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #22 – November 24, 2016, 10:10:23 am

I had one of my Slow Rise shades fail not stppping. They where out of warranty however they sent me all the replacement part. The hardest part is getting the blind down.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #23 – November 24, 2016, 04:36:40 pm

We measured front windshield from side to side, had a regular room darkening single roller shade made. Roller has a plastic chain clutch on driver's side. Along with wedge shaped side pieces the roller is our night security closure.

Re: Day/Night roller shade options?

Reply #24 – November 24, 2016, 08:38:16 pm

Bought my MCD's through MOT..... 10% discount..... shipped direct to me from MCD....

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