(photo courtesy of Val Chapman)
There are several types of blinds in touring caravans. Most incorporate flyscreens, and are encased in a cassette. The most common type among new caravans is the concertina blind.
These are made of robust fabric that is pleated in the style of a concertina, and, when drawn into position over the window, the ’concertina’ expands, and then folds again when retracted into the cassette.
The flyscreen element of the blind is incorporated into the cassette, so that when you slide the blind up, or down, according to the type of cassette, the flyscreen takes the place of the obscuring blind. These flyscreens are also constructed in ‘concertina’ style.
Older caravans may have blinds that are not concertina style, but PVC roller blinds. Again, these are mounted into a cassette.
It’s worth remembering that these blinds incorporate a spring, and so when towing, it is wise to keep them open, to avoid the motion of the caravan affecting the spring; it can cause it to lose tension.
Words by Val Chapman
Caravan blind maintenance
Occasionally, the plastic clips that secure the two sections of the blind to one another (that is the obscuring section and the flyscreen section) may come off and get lost.
If this happens, replacements can be bought. Among the companies that supply them is Prima Leisure (online); £6 for the commonly found Duo Plisse Excellent Bind and Fly Screen Catch, and £8.99 for the Remis Roof Light Blind and Fly Screen Catch.
We’ve known the end caps of blind cassettes to become detached – Prima supplies these, at £23.99; useful if they get lost down behind furniture.
If you need to replace a rooflight blind, Prima stocks these, too; prices vary by size. Caravan blinds and flyscreen spares are also available from a number of other retailers.
These include SFM Caravans, based in Halifax, Leisure Depot, based in Leominster, E S Hartley Leisure Spares, based in Kendal, and Just Caravan Parts, based in Holmfirth.
Types of caravan curtains
Most caravan curtains hang on plastic rails. Some side window curtains, in high-end caravans, hang on poles.
Again, in some high-end caravans, and also in continental-made caravans, voiles are fitted. These are usually accompanied by panels, rather than curtains. Both hang from rails.
In some continental caravans, small weights are sewn into the hems of the curtains, to keep them hanging neatly.
Front curtains are usually fixed both top and bottom, so that they adhere to the shape of the front line of the caravan.
How to clean caravan blinds
(Photo courtesy of Val Chapman)
For the soft-fabric pleated concertina blinds, warm water with no soap on a microfibre cloth is the first option to try, using as little water as possible; we’ve had great success with this method.
If they are dusty, brushing with a feather – or similar lightweight – duster can remove the problem.
If you get a mark on a pleated blind that won’t come off with just water, try a little hand soap on a microfibre cloth.
Cleaning PVC roller blinds is easier, because they are a flat surface. Again, try just a damp cloth, or add a little soap if needed.
We recently successfully cleaned marks off a roof blind with a small amount of washing-up liquid. (The marks had occurred because a fly had become trapped in the blind when it was retracted.)
Final thoughts
Just like any other component of a touring caravan, blinds should be regularly cleaned; it’s a good idea to do this when you are renewing the lubricant on the rubber seals around the window – this should be done at least once a year. (We recommend Thetford Seal Lubricant for this task.)
