One of the best things about living in an RV is the ability to travel anytime, anywhere. However, this advantage also comes with a challenge! Being on the road full time means you have to adjust with all the season changes and adapt to whatever the weather is. Some motor homes were built with this in mind, so they come with excellent insulation capacities, while it can get complicated for some. This is where DIY insulations come in. And for many, using Reflectix is the way to go.
What is Reflectix, and can it be used in RVs? Reflectix is like a foil-covered bubble wrap mostly used for insulations. It is usually placed by RVers on their motorhome windows for extra cooling during the summer and additional heating during the winter. It can also be used to make cozies, potholders, etc.
In this article, I will explain what Reflectix is and how it works for RVs. I will share several ways you can use it during the summer, winter, or even just for your everyday life on the road. You will also know the boons and banes of having one. Reflectix might be just the missing piece you need to improve your overall rig insulation!
What is Reflectix?
Image Source: reflectixinc.com
Reflectix is reflective insulation that looks like silver bubble wrap. It comes in huge rolls and can be easily cut into pieces. It is generally used for insulation and placed usually in the ceilings or windows. What it basically does is reflect the heat or sunlight, away and back towards its source, therefore reducing the heat that goes through the roof or windows.
For motorhomes with less insulation capacities, using Reflectix can reduce the heat in your rig, especially on scorching days or during the summer. On the other hand, it can also contribute to more heating in the winter, following the same principle that it reflects heat towards its source.
Moreover, you have to keep in mind that Reflectix is not a complete alternative to having a heater or an air conditioning system. It is not something that you entirely depend on your rig’s insulation on.
What are the Uses of Reflectix for an RVer?
General Uses
Ice Cooler Lining
Image Source: reflectixinc.com
This is common not just among RVers but among campers and hikers too. By cutting pieces of Reflectix to your ice cooler box interior’s size, you can expect an extended cooling time for your ice, food, or drinks!
For RVers who don’t own a fridge, this is a great hack to keep in mind, especially on hot and humid days when you just want to have access to ice-cold water almost all the time.
Cozies
Image Source: jwbasecamp.com
When cutting out Reflectix for bigger purposes, you are left with small scraps that you might have no more use for. No, don’t dispose them just yet. You can take some and cut it to the shape and size enough to serve as a cup cozy. Then you can enjoy your hot cup in the morning without having to cool it down or grab a shirt or a towel that might still end up burning your hand.
You can also make food cozies out of Reflectix. These could be useful, especially during the winter, when cooked food tends to cool down way faster. You can cut out pieces of Reflectix that you can fold and tape in the shape of a big pouch or a bag that can hold your food container.
You can further cut the smaller scraps to size enough to serve as pot, tray, or kettle holders.
Privacy and Lights Out
Image Source: “Laura Mugridge and her VW campervan ‘Joni’ park-up outside The Lowry for two days” by The Lowry, Salford is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Even at night, you can still see some lights from the outside, and so if you are the type that can’t sleep unless it’s totally dark, then having Reflectix on will do the trick for you. It also gives full privacy at night and even during the day.
Reflectix for Summer and Winter
Window Insulations
Image Source: “Laura Mugridge and her VW campervan ‘Joni’ park-up outside The Lowry for two days” by The Lowry, Salford is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The most common use for Reflectix among RVers is for improving their motorhome insulation. This is achieved by putting the Reflectx on the RV’s windows.. So instead of absorbing heat from the sun, it would just get reflected away.
To do this, you must first measure the size of all windows, front, side, and rear, using a tape measure or a tape meter. Based on the measurements, you can then make patterns out of used cardboards or scrap fabric, whichever is available. If you have neither, you can simply mark your Reflectix using a marker.
Then, you have to temporarily stick these patterns on the rolled out Reflectix using a tape or a pin. Using scissors or a cutter, you can now cut your Reflectix to the shape and size of your patterns or marks.
Finally, you can now stick them on to your rig’s windows, use some foil tape, or try to snug it in the edges of the window for a better and tight fit.
Temporary Sleeping Mats
Image Source: backpackinglight.com
When you are out camping on a cold night, a cutout Reflectix can be placed under your sleeping mats to give you extra warmth for better sleep. You can also sit on the Reflectix during a bonfire while hanging out with your family or friends.
During the winter, it can get really cold inside your rig even with heaters on. For this, you can also make use of Reflectix to increase your floor temperature even a little bit.
Reflectix Insoles
Another smart and practical trick that RVers and campers do during winter is to cut Reflectix to their foot’s size to make temporary insoles. They make your feet warmer and make it more comfortable for you to walk out on icy roads and pavements.
Pros and Cons of Using Reflectix
Why You Should Use Reflectix
Low-Cost but High-Quality
Aside from being sturdy and lightweight, Reflectix is also water-resistant, mold-resistant, and sustainable. Despite being made of plastic, it is something that you can use for a long time and a lot of functions.
All this good stuff, and still, Reflectix won’t burn a hole in your pockets. That’s for sure. For a pack of two rolls sized 24 inches by 10 feet, you will only have to pay for around $38. With this, you can probably cover most, if not all, your windows.
Accessible
Another fantastic thing about Reflectix is that it isn’t something that will take you all your efforts to find because it’s readily available in most hardware stores. You can also get them on Amazon in various sizes. Even on the road, you’re most likely to find a store or two that sells them.
Flexible for Easy Cutting
When using Reflectix, you don’t have to own special and expensive tools. Just a good old pair of sharp scissors or a cutter knife will easily do the job. It’s also flexible and soft, so you can cut it to whatever size or shape you need.
Multi-Functional
A mat, a window shield, a cup cozy – Reflectix can be any of those. It’s a practical option because it does not have only one purpose. Even using larger pieces for something leaves you with smaller scraps for another. And because it is made of plastic, you can store it for a long time.
Disadvantages on Using Reflectix
A Chore to Always Put Up and Then Down
If you use Reflectix during the day to keep the sun’s heat away but want the windows clear at night, you will have to set a few minutes every time to put everything up and then down again. It’s the same when you want it up at night for privacy and then want the sunlight.
With this, you also need to have space in your rig to store them properly when not in use. This, however, is something that you can quickly get used to in the long run.
Not Maximum Heating/Cooling
For its price and material makeup, you can’t expect Reflectix to do all the heating or cooling that your motorhome needs. Although RVers swear by using Reflectix, you have to keep in mind that using it is like having an accessory that supplements whatever insulation system your rig has installed. It’s not something that you completely depend on in extreme weather conditions.
Not Really Aesthetically Pleasing
Unless you’re going for silver or an industrial peg for your motorhome, having Reflectix all over your rig might not be aesthetically pleasing. However, this is based on your preference. You can use other tools or coverups to make it work for you if this is the only issue.
Conclusion
Reflectix is maybe something that you hear or often see among RVers, vanlifers, and campers even, but haven’t really understood what it’s for. This article has given you a general overview of what Reflectix is, what it does, and how it is commonly used. So the next time you make a trip to your go-to hardware store or home depot, you won’t have to simply pass by these silver-bubble wrap looking rolls of Reflectix because you know what they are and what they are for! I won’t blame you, though, when you end up getting a pack or two.
