cheap curtains

[druidwood]

For those that might not have thought of this - be sure and check out thrift shops for material for your curtains. I just bought sheets at thrift shops to make my curtains and got enough for the whole bus for $25. I even found the same pattern at two different shops.

Also, I want to make a curtain for the tub and toilet area - but want visibility from all windows when I drive so they have to completely tuck out of the way. So hoping to find curtain runners like they have on hospital privacy curtains - they can be secured from above without impeding the curtains path. Anyone have ideas on where these can be found? Other curtain ideas that don't involve using the floor for support? Thanks.

[Robin97396]

I hear ya. I've been looking for hospital curtain track for a long time. It's prohibitively expensive to buy new and my timing isn't right when they're tearing down an old hospital.

Like your thinking though. I struck out. Let me know if you find something.

[brokedown]

We got some thermal curtains at walmart for $7 each, it takes 3 of them to go across the width of the bus, but they do a great job of separating the driving area from the living area. The only negative is that our cat likes to plow through them and leave a hole.

[Robin97396]

This winter I've been using a parachute to seperate the living area from the ends of the bus. It actually keeps the center section about 5 degrees warmer than the ends.

[2kool4skool]

We use WM sheets, cheap and easy to wash, rotate them as needed.

[BigDavid]

My bus came with windshield, door & window curtains. Real simple. The rod is small pvc pipe supported by conduit holders (looks like a C). The curtains are just material with a pocket hem.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by robin97396

i hear ya. I've been looking for hospital curtain track for a long time. It's prohibitively expensive to buy new and my timing isn't right when they're tearing down an old hospital.

Like your thinking though. I struck out. Let me know if you find something.

[Robin97396]

Yeah, $8.90 per foot is prohibitive in my world. I can see it working well as a scr een, but using my parachute has made me become aware of how convective heat flows inside this bus. I think the gap where the curtains meet the ceiling would allow heat to escape.

I'm not saying a parachute is the answer, but it helped in my case.

[Versatile]

My mother used to buy the rag bags at a Blind Thrift store. She got loaded with new sheets in those rag bags.Sheets that were new and still in the packages. She didn't even need the sheets but just couldn't resist the bargain.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Yeah, $8.90 per foot is prohibitive in my world. I can see it working well as a scr een, but using my parachute has made me become aware of how convective heat flows inside this bus. I think the gap where the curtains meet the ceiling would allow heat to escape.

I'm not saying a parachute is the answer, but it helped in my case.

I am actually learning quite a bit about practical thermal dynamics and this bus. I put a wireless thermometer so I can track it from inside the house. Just plugging-up 4 little 1/2" bolt holes from where I removed front seat made a measurable difference.

I have a 1200 watt space heater to add some heat to the equation and I get 10 degrees with that. I have much more insulating to do as it is so rewarding.

The plastic curtain track is $20 / 2 meters or $3.35/foot.

Or else, next time you go to the hospital, bring a screwdriver and a small stepladder.

[joeblack5]

The screw driver is always a good plan. The beds are on wheels so you do not need the step ladder and you can take a nap after the job
We use double cellurar shades in our house, I measured them with an IR camera and they are amazing.
We used them in Elfie also. Having a profile on the edges helps with the draft on the sides.

Later j

[ben2go]

If anyone runs into a Foam and Fabric outlet check them out. They have bins of cloth very cheap. My SO got our son a set of sheets for his bed for 25 cents. I got enough vinyl for a couple motorcycle seats for $6. I found a full bolt of an odd width cloth for $16. It was something like 49 inches wide or something odd like that. It was an upholstery cloth. I didn't buy it because I didn't need it. Just be aware that each store seems to be independently owned and operated. So prices may vary wildly. They usually have a title page with their info online. Just DuckDuckGo for thier info. I don't use google.

[PhotiniJ]

I'm curious about how much yardage (or how many sheets) one needs approximately. We just bought our bus (YAY!) so I can't measure because we don't have it yet lol. We bought an already converted bus from friends. It already has curtain rods but while I anxiously await it's arrival I am planning furnishings etc. We are planning on putting insulation panels on the outside during winter so these are just for aesthetics and a little privacy though we will be parked on land and pretty secluded anyway. I kind of know the fabric I want but don't know if it would be too expensive without knowing how much I need.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

The screw driver is always a good plan. The beds are on wheels so you do not need the step ladder and you can take a nap after the job
We use double cellurar shades in our house, I measured them with an IR camera and they are amazing.
We used them in Elfie also. Having a profile on the edges helps with the draft on the sides.

Later j

I have double cellular shades in my house and they are fantastic.. granted I installed themn at the same time I installed the new Andersen windows. that have "Smart-glass" {lets the sun's heat in at low sun angles and blocks it at higher angles}.. the shades d oa fantastic job.. am thinking of using them in my DEV bus to help with all the heat i get in.
-Christopher