DIY Window Coverings for Van Life on a Budget

Today I’m going to walk you through something crucial for anyone living the van life or spending significant time on the road: keeping your van cool, private and bug-free. In this post, I’ll share how I upgraded my van with window tint, DIY window shades and bug screens to make life on the road much more comfortable.

Links to products, devices and gear featured in this video

Window Tint: Keeping the Heat Out

Let’s kick things off with window tint. I decided to tint every window in my van, including the windshield, using a high-end Nano-ceramic tint. I researched heavily before choosing this option and I can confidently say that it’s one of the best ways to block out harmful UV rays while keeping the van cooler.

On average, my van stays about 15°F cooler after installing the tint, which makes a big difference in the sweltering summer months. However, it wasn’t a cheap investment—I spent around $1,000.

A quick note on legality: before you get your windows tinted, make sure you check your state’s laws. Tint darkness and reflectivity levels are regulated differently across states and certain colors are entirely illegal in some places. The last thing you want is to get pulled over for illegal tint in a state you’re passing through. In Texas for example, you can tint the top 5 inches of your windshield and have up to 25% tint on your front side windows, while the back windows can be as dark as you want - IF you have two side mirrors. Also, red, amber and blue tints are illegal.

I went for a 25% tint on the top portion of my windshield, plus a clear UV film for the rest of it. While this setup doesn’t offer privacy, it does protect against the sun. For added privacy and light-blocking, I also use a folding windshield sunshade from Covercraft, which is custom-made for my van. It’s a bit pricey but well worth it for the quality.

DIY Window Shades: Privacy & Insulation

Next up is privacy. During the night, you don’t want anyone peeking into your van, and that’s where window shades come in. Rather than buying expensive pre-made shades, I opted for a DIY project.

Here’s how I made my custom window shades:

Materials Used: Fabric shower curtain, Reflectix (double-reflective insulation), Coroplast (corrugated plastic for structure), spray adhesive, black gaffer’s tape, scotch tape, packing or copy paper, and some basic tools like scissors and a utility knife.

Process: I made templates by covering the windows with copy paper and tracing the outlines with a ballpoint pen. I then cut the Reflectix and Coroplast to match the window template and glued everything together. The result? Tight-fitting window shades that keep all light out and help insulate the van from both heat and cold. The black gaffer’s tape around the edges gives it a nice finish and keeps the layers intact. Watch the video to see how I do it step-by-step.

These shades fit snugly into the windows and don’t require any additional fasteners, but if you find them too tight, you can trim them down slightly. One of the best parts about making your own shades is that you only need to make templates for one side of the van since you can flip them over for the opposite side.

Window Screens: Keeping the Bugs Out

Finally, let’s talk about bug screens. When you’re living the van life, especially during warmer months, bugs can be a real issue. Initially, I considered making DIY window screens by cutting patio door screens to size and sewing magnets around the edges. However, after a long build, I was feeling pretty burned out.

Then a good friend suggested looking into pre-made screens, and I found a great solution: magnetic sunroof screens. These were only about $16 and fit my sliding door windows perfectly. They’re easy to put up and take down and the magnets hold them securely in place, even on windy days. I also added a few rubber-coated magnets for extra holding power.

Installing these screens turned out to be one of the easiest parts of the entire build, and they’ve been incredibly effective at keeping bugs out while allowing for ventilation.

These upgrades (window tints, DIY shades and bug screens) have made a big difference in my van life comfort. I’m staying cooler, enjoying privacy and keeping those pesky bugs at bay. If you’re considering any of these projects, I highly recommend taking the plunge. It’s a worthwhile investment for anyone spending a lot of time on the road or living in their vehicle.

Stay cool, stay safe and happy travels!