Window panels

Window panels are a type of removable window coverings that some nomads use for their vehicles for the purpose of privacy, stealth, keeping cool on hot days by blocking sunlight, keeping warm by insulating against cold outside temperatures, and controlling light levels inside. Window panels can be purchased for some vehicles, especially those that are in common use as campers. Many nomads make their own panels.

Purchased panels

Commercially available panels can be purchased for many campervans (Sprinters, Ram ProMaster, etc.) They are custom fit to the vehicle.

DIY panels

Reflectix is a common material for DIY panels. It can be left shiny on one side, and covered with black cloth, spray paint, or tape on the other side. This allows you to put the panel shiny side out while parked during the day to reflect sunlight, and black side out during the night to improve stealth, since it's difficult to see a black panel if there is window tint. A matte black finish on the panels will be better than a shiny black finish, so black duct tape may be the worst choice for blacking out the panel.

If your panels are two-sided and your windows are not rectangular, you can use a panel on one side of your vehicle during the day and the other side of your vehicle at night. If two-sided panels work for your vehicle, just go with black panels.

For safety, remove your window panels while driving, even if they don't obstruct your view: “... silver side out can cause some wicked reflections impacting other drivers.^[1]”

Panels can also be made from cardboard, foam board (often available at dollar stores, discount stores, and wherever art supplies are sold), paperboard, plywood, and other materials. Corrugated plastic, such as that commonly used for political yard signs, is another option.

“ Hobby Lobby has these thin sheets of opaque black plastic that kids use for projects and stuff. I cut them to size on my pathfinder and they worked amazingly.^[2]”

To create the panel that fits your window perfectly, see Dealing with irregular shapes.

For a more durable and insulating window panel, a moving blanket (sometimes called freight blanket) can be cut to size and attached to your window frame with magnets or Velcro. Moving blankets usually handle the moisture from condensation fairly well. You can attach the blanket to a sturdier panel, such as wood, if necessary.

Attaching panels

You can attach panels to your windows in a number different ways:

If your panels are semi-rigid and the same shape as your window, you can simply wedge the panels into place (pressure fit).
You can sew magnets into your panels, and the opposite magnets can be attached to your windows or window frames with glue or tape.
You can purchase Velcro strips or buttons and attach them to your panels and windows. Sew them to the panels and glue the other side to the window.
Purchase screw pins, screw them into the fabric around your window frames, and then use them as hooks for your window panels to hang from. Create eyelets in your panels and use a rubber band or elastic hair tie to attach them to the screw pins.^[3]
Purchase suction cups and permanently attach them to your window panels. Then, simply suction the panels to the windows each night.