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blinds [message #191611] Thu, 29 November 2012 10:25 Go to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
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After looking at Kerry's pvc blinds. I am motivated to get my stuff together now to do the same. I am curious how the plastic paint holds up. that looks so simple.

anyway, does anybody have some good places to purchase, or closer to exact what we need for the actual blinds themselves that are guaranteed to work/fit?

I was told that they need to be a 1" blind or less, in order to fit behind the overhead cabinets properly.

I like the idea of a mini blind. like kerry's:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/window-valences/p46606-r-042.html

but I also like the thought of something that seals better to both keep out the heat, and the cold:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/this-old-coach/p20416-new-day-night-shades.html

I am overwhelmed with choices at home depot/lowes. and some of the costs.



Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: blinds [message #191613 is a reply to message #191611] Thu, 29 November 2012 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Applied GMC (Jim K) has the micro mini blinds.

http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/506

My 'new' coach came with them but if I were buying new, I'd probably go with the day/night shades. I'd be willing to bet that the Coop has them and the mini blinds also.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191616 is a reply to message #191611] Thu, 29 November 2012 10:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ljdavick is currently offline  ljdavick   United States
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I bought some cellular blinds for my daughter's room from Blinds Chalet. They were easy to deal with.

> http://www.blindschalet.com/premierblackoutsinglecellshades.html
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191676 is a reply to message #191611] Thu, 29 November 2012 20:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Jon,

If you want better sealing, use "cellular blinds" which you probably saw at
Home Depot or Lowes. If not, they're made up of two (or more) layers of
material rather than the simply accordion-folded single layer of ordinary
day/night shades. And they can be ordered with an aluminum foil lining of
the honeycomb structure between the multiple layers. That gives them
exceptional thermal insulating properties. Their only shortcoming that I
know of, after 13 years of using them, is that when closed they block ALL
light and air circulation. I understand they're now availble in an
arrangement that allows lowering them from the top as well as raising them
from the bottom -- that should ameliorate that shortcoming somewhat.

They're probably significantly more expensive than ordinary day-night
shades, because SHE would never let me see the Home Depot bill. :-)

Here are some samples: <http://www.justblinds.com/cellular-shades>


Ken H.


On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 11:25 AM, Jon Roche wrote:

>
> ...
> but I also like the thought of something that seals better to both keep
> out the heat, and the cold:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/this-old-coach/p20416-new-day-night-shades.html
>
> I am overwhelmed with choices at home depot/lowes. and some of the costs.
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: blinds [message #191679 is a reply to message #191611] Thu, 29 November 2012 21:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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Location: Chicago, IL
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I got mine from JimB, and they work great behind the valances.

Either of the Jim's can get them for you and the size will be correct for the windows.


George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: blinds [message #191705 is a reply to message #191679] Fri, 30 November 2012 08:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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These are the one's I've been looking at with energy saving "side track" for both home and MH.
http://cellularwindowshades.com/order_select.html


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: blinds [message #191706 is a reply to message #191611] Fri, 30 November 2012 08:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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I also was looking at those, but couldn't figure how I'd attach the side rails that they slide on. They certainly look like a good idea otherwise.

George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: blinds [message #191707 is a reply to message #191611] Fri, 30 November 2012 09:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Seems to me that the best of both worlds might be a two level approach.

Micro mini blinds in a curved track close to the window.

Light blocking roll down window shades mounted above the mini blinds that you pull down in the outside track for light blockage and insulation. Something like these: http://www.lowes.com/pd_393923-15766-1823987_0__?productId=3726761&Ntt=room+darkening+shade

Making the double track valence wouldn't be that difficult but probably twice as expensive. You'd have to make some custom mounting hardware for the roll up shades.

Don't see why you couldn't have the mini blinds on the outside if that is a better look.

This would be more complex but offer ventilation, light, view, and still darkness when desired.

I'll look into that when I do the other side of my coach.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191710 is a reply to message #191706] Fri, 30 November 2012 09:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Bounds is currently offline  Jim Bounds   United States
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The problem is not finding a company that sells blinds and shades-- they are everywhere.  The trick is to find a window treatment that will fit the application.  Thickness of the header rail is the issue for a GM floorplan coach.  You are limited at the top.  Also, as George pointed out, attaching the window treatment to the wall can be challenging.  There are a raft of ways folks do it and I'm not saying any of them are wrong-- if it fits and works for you it's not wrong.  I have, however, found a bland manufacturer and certain size tratments that work in the GM floorplan application.  If you have a Royale, there is plenty of room but you still must deal with attachint them to the coach. 
 
As I said, there are many ways to do it and if you like to invent wheels, I am sure you can come up with a way to do it.  I have already invented my wheel, if you want to do it the way we do give me a call and I can get you set up with my system.  I do not compare costs because the time you take to figure something out has a value, ours are already figured out.  Call me if you are interested.
 
Jim Bounds
----------------------

________________________________
From: George Rudawsky <GeorgeRud@aol.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] blinds



I also was looking at those, but couldn't figure how I'd attach the side rails that they slide on.  They certainly look like a good idea otherwise.
--
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191711 is a reply to message #191707] Fri, 30 November 2012 09:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Bounds is currently offline  Jim Bounds   United States
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Mini blinds cannot be held in a curved valence, the inward pressure will gather at the middle and the slats will not fall properly.  The blind must fall straight with even pressure on all slats.  There's more to this than picking a direction, trust me...
 
Jim Bounds
---------------------


________________________________
From: Kerry Pinkerton <Pinkertonk@MCHSI.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] blinds



Seems to me that the best of both worlds might be a two level approach. 

Micro mini blinds in a curved track close to the window.

Light blocking roll down window shades mounted above the mini blinds that you pull down in the outside track for light blockage and insulation.  Something like these:  http://www.lowes.com/pd_393923-15766-1823987_0__?productId=3726761&Ntt=room+darkening+shade

Making the double track valence wouldn't be that difficult but probably twice as expensive. You'd have to make some custom mounting hardware for the roll up shades.

Don't see why you couldn't have the mini blinds on the outside if that is a better look.

This would be more complex but offer ventilation, light, view, and still darkness when desired.

I'll look into that when I do the other side of my coach.
--
Kerry Pinkerton

North Alabama, near Huntsville,

77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
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Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191727 is a reply to message #191711] Fri, 30 November 2012 11:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
powerjon is currently offline  powerjon   United States
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I am with Jim on this, I have alway build my valences with the front side straight and the side with the curvature of the coach. The window coverings either metal or plastic mini blinds or the Cellular shades slide so much easier than with curved fronts. I have alway used the vinyl plastic to build mine, but found a 2 x 3 inch square vinyl downspout. The vinyl fence post is just as good for making the valences. I also cover the valences with material to color match. I used to have a picture set of how they looked, but it is no longer available. If I can find the templates out in the shop I will take some pictures.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/pergo-floor-install/p31883-mvc-147s.html

JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
Michigan

On Nov 30, 2012, at 10:33 AM, Jim Bounds wrote:

> Mini blinds cannot be held in a curved valence, the inward pressure will gather at the middle and the slats will not fall properly. The blind must fall straight with even pressure on all slats. There's more to this than picking a direction, trust me...
>
> Jim Bounds
> ---------------------
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Kerry Pinkerton <Pinkertonk@MCHSI.com>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 10:08 AM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] blinds
>
>
>
> Seems to me that the best of both worlds might be a two level approach.
>
> Micro mini blinds in a curved track close to the window.
>
> Light blocking roll down window shades mounted above the mini blinds that you pull down in the outside track for light blockage and insulation. Something like these: http://www.lowes.com/pd_393923-15766-1823987_0__?productId=3726761&Ntt=room+darkening+shade
>
> Making the double track valence wouldn't be that difficult but probably twice as expensive. You'd have to make some custom mounting hardware for the roll up shades.
>
> Don't see why you couldn't have the mini blinds on the outside if that is a better look.
>
> This would be more complex but offer ventilation, light, view, and still darkness when desired.
>
> I'll look into that when I do the other side of my coach.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton
>
> North Alabama, near Huntsville,
>
> 77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an Art Deco car hauler
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191768 is a reply to message #191711] Fri, 30 November 2012 17:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Jim,

Here's the way a clever Canadian solved the bunching problem!

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p32919-venetian-blind-amp-qu.html

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Bounds

Mini blinds cannot be held in a curved valence, the inward pressure will gather at the middle and the slats will not fall properly. 
The blind must fall straight with even pressure on all slats.  There's more to this than picking a direction, trust me...
 
Jim Bounds

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] blinds [message #191770 is a reply to message #191711] Fri, 30 November 2012 17:40 Go to previous message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Jim Bounds wrote on Fri, 30 November 2012 09:33

Mini blinds cannot be held in a curved valence, the inward pressure will gather at the middle and the slats will not fall properly.  The blind must fall straight with even pressure on all slats.  There's more to this than picking a direction, trust me......




I'll agree that it is difficult to adjust the blinds while they are down. I checked this today. What seems to work is raising the blind nearly to the top, adjusting the angle, and letting them back down. Yeah it may be an issue but I guess each of us might have to decide if the 'look' is worth the inconvenience.

Jury is still out for me but I appreciate the input Jim.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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