Why You Don’t Need an R-Value for RV Skirting

by Mike Letendre | Sep 19, 2021 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements, RV Skirting

1. Any R-Value savings are much smaller the closer the outside temperature is to the inside temperature.

When the temperature dips below zero, the area under an RV is typically kept just above the freezing point by an electric heater. Because of this, the temperature differential between outside and inside air is very small, as is the heated cubic square footage under the RV. This is unlike a house, where inside temperatures are typically kept at 70 degrees or more and where the cubic square footage is about 2500% larger than that of an RV’s.

2. RV skirting would need to be very thick to produce any significant energy savings.

R-Value is the resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. For example, a typical home in the USA has wall insulation of R-11 to R-15. Your RV Skirting would need to have a sewn-in insulation that is 4 to 5 inches thick to achieve this R-value. Most RV Skirting that claims to be insulated is less than a half an inch thick. At this thickness, there is only the illusion of an R-value.

3. Stopping air movement is 10 times more important than R-Value for RV skirting.

What good is wearing a winter coat if you have the zipper undone? The most important way to retain heat and keep cold air out is a barrier to air-flow (RV Skirting), not insulation. As long as the warm air is contained under the RV and the majority of the cooler outside air is kept out, adding insulation to the skirting is a waste of money. The barrier to airflow created by the skirting is really all that is needed.

4. If you are in an extreme winter climate what is the best way to add R-Value to your skirting.

As mentioned above, the sewn-in variety of insulation (ie: Poly-fill or reflective bubble wrap) adds very little value to RV skirting and is not necessary in 90% of RV skirting projects. The exception to this rule is if the RV is wintering in an extremely cold area where temperatures are commonly 15 degrees or more below freezing. In this situation you will want to have both RV skirting and an insulated barrier of rigid Styrofoam board. Rigid Styrofoam insulation board is by far the most effective way to get a higher R-value without adding a lot of thickness.

Typically this board has an R-value of R5 per inch of thickness. The best variety of this board is extruded polystyrene foam board, also called blue or pink board in the big box stores. To use this board with your skirting, build a frame work under the RV using inexpensive 2” x 2” lumber, then attach the foam board to the framework. Once the foam board is in place, then you can install your RV skirting to seal the warm air in and the cold air out.

5. The best heat source to use under your RV skirting.

In warm climates many RV’ers use a 100 watt light bulb to create a heat source, but there is a much safer and efficient way to heat the area under your skirting . Use one or two thermostatically controlled space heaters with a built-in fan under the RV. In longer RVs, place a heater at each end of the RV facing the opposite end. Turn the thermostat control to just above the point of freezing. When the temperature dips down close to the freezing point, the heaters come on and blow warm air around the entire area underneath the RV. This is a very safe and efficient heat source, as it is only using energy when needed. Be sure to see the heaters we recommend on the EZ Snap RV skirting product page at https://ezsnapdirect.com/products/rv-skirting/.

Congratulations to Yoko, our latest Contest Winner

by Ray Waddell | Jul 27, 2021 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements

We’re happy to announce the latest winner of our ‘Win Your Purchase’ contest.

Congratulations to Yoko!

Here’s their winning review:

“We got EZ exterior window shades for our 3 skylight windows. Before ordering, we called customer service for some questions, and the person who answered the phone was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Once we got the products, my husband put the adhesive studs on the skylight windows. Super easy! It took him less than 1 hour to put the studs on all 3 windows on the roof. After waiting for at least 24 hours, as instructed, he put the shade screen on the windows, again in about 1 hour. He said it was very easy.

Now how do we feel about it? We love it! Before the installation, our living room/kitchen can be really hot especially in the afternoon in summer when the sun hits the floor directly through the windows for few hours. Now with the shades, although the room still gets warmer, the temperature does not go up as much as it used to be. Definitely, we are saving some energy bills. We also like that the shades darken the room but do not completely block the sunlight.

Before we got the EZ exterior window shades, we explored the option of motorized blinds on our skylight windows. But it is very costly, and we heard a lot of trouble with them such as the remote stops working after a season. We chose EZ exterior window shades, because, hopefully, they will last long, and we can take them off in winter/fall, if we want.

So far, we enjoy the shades every day, and we are very happy with the purchase.“

Congratulations again Yoko, and great job on the installation.

P.S. – If you have entered our contest and did not win this time, don’t worry; your entry will be also entered into our future draws as well.

Announcing Our Latest ‘Win Your Purchase’ Contest Winners

by Mike Letendre | Feb 14, 2020 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements

We’re happy to announce the latest winners of our ‘Win Your Purchase’ contest.

Congratulations to James and Paula Trisdale!

Here’s their winning review:

“We found EZ Snap skirting online, and watched their videos and were very interested. So we called customer service, and they couldn’t have been more helpful.

They took their time, explained how the product worked, how it was to be installed, how to measure the RV. Despite our many questions they were very patient with us.

We ordered the EZ Snap skirting, followed their instructions, and it installed exactly like they said.

It helps keep the RV warm and looks good too.”

Awesome job on your installation James and Paula, it looks great!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and if you didn’t win this time, don’t worry. Your entry will be automatically included in our next ‘Win Your Purchase’ contest!

Shade Kit Size Calculator for Window, Skylight, RV & Boat

by Mike Letendre | Dec 12, 2019 | Boat Shades, EZ Snap, News & Announcements, RV Shades, Skylight Shades, Window Shades

We are proud to announce the launch of our brand new EZ Snap Shade Kit Size Calculator.

“What size window shade kit do I need?”

It’s the first question most people ask themselves when they want shade screen and figuring out the answer used to be difficult and time-consuming.

Now, our new calculator will instantly let you know what size kit you need, how many fasteners you need and how to cut your mesh in the most efficient way.

If your project is for an RV, boat or skylight you can use the exact same calculator.

All you need is the measurements (in inches) of the windows or skylights that need EZ Snap shade screen.

If you don’t know how to measure your window, there are a few things to consider.

The first step is to determine where you want to mount your fasteners.

You can mount your EZ Snap shade screen on the window frame, on the trim or on the siding.

If you are planning on using the adhesive fasteners, you will need a 1 inch wide, smooth mounting surface.

For people who have a domed skylight and aren’t sure how to measure it, start where you will be mounting your fasteners and measure across the dome itself.

Once you have the height and width for your windows or skylights, add an extra 2 inches to all your measurements.

Your shade mesh will be mounted an inch past your fasteners, so adding 2 more inches in height and width will account for the extra shade mesh needed on the top and bottom, and both sides.

Now that you have your measurements, enter the numbers in the appropriate fields.

If you have multiple windows of the same size you have the option to change the quantity.

Next, enter your email address and press Calculate.

Our program will analyze your measurements and will let you know the recommended size of shade kit, how many fasteners you need (in total, as well as how many per window) and how to cut your mesh.

You will also get the results emailed to you to have as a guide when it comes time for your installation.

You can see there is a category called ‘Max fastener spacing’. The calculator takes into account the size of your window and will automatically adjust your required fastener spacing.

We recommend a maximum of 10 inch spacing between fasteners for windows under 25 square feet (which is most windows). If your window is 25 square feet or larger, then you will need a maximum of 5 inch spacing.

We also recommend placing an extra fastener on all four of your window corners.

There is going to be more force on the fasteners in the corners, so placing two in every corner and offsetting them will give twice the holding power and will help keep your mesh secure and problem-free. Our calculator automatically adds an extra 4 fasteners to every window.

You can see the results below include an easy to follow cutting guide where all the different windows are labeled and have their measurements included.

No more guessing, no more math, just enter in your window or skylight measurements and find out exactly what you need to order.

Follow this link to try our calculator for yourself!

How Much EZ Snap Window Shades Can Lower the Home Temperature?

by Mike Letendre | Mar 8, 2019 | Exterior Window Shades, EZ Snap, News & Announcements

How much of a difference will EZ Snap make?

It’s a common question that we get. People want to know that a product will deliver if they are going to spend their hard earned money on it.

So, if you ever wondered what kind of temperature difference EZ Snap exterior shade screen can make then you’ll want to read this.

It’s already well known that the best way to cut down on heat is to use exterior shade.

The reason why it’s such an effective method at reducing solar heat gain is because it stops the heat from entering the house.

It’s why window blinds and drapes are not effective at keeping a house cool. They are on the wrong side of the glass.

Windows are typically the source for up to 48% of the heat build up inside a home, and blinds can only knock down a fraction of that.

That’s because when your shade is on the inside of the glass, then the heat has already gotten inside the house and you are fighting a losing battle.

The key is to stop the solar heat from ever getting inside the house in the first place, and that is what exterior shade provides.

EZ Snap exterior shades can stop up to 90% of solar heat, which means you will get a more comfortable space and a lower energy bill.

As for what kind of difference that means in temperature, here are some customer reviews of our shades that show what our shade kits can do.

Window Shade Temperature Difference

James wrote to us because he was ready to install another AC unit before finding EZ Snap.

“I have been searching for years for an inexpensive way to cool my upstairs.

I was almost ready to put in a second HVAC system when I stumbled upon EZ Snap. The windows face west and they get pummeled by the sun.

I just installed these and with my thermal imaging camera there is a 23 degree difference between the window with the solar shade and the one without.

I could not even believe it. I went back every hour to check and it was still the same readings!

The install was super easy and it actually looks decent. I was worried they would look like covers over the windows but they appear more like thick window screens.

Hopefully they hold up long term, but for the price you really can’t beat it! Thank you so much!”

We also get a lot of people who call to tell us about their hot skylights.

The difference that one skylight with a lot of sun exposure can make to a room is astounding.

We’ve heard from customers who tell us they’ve abandoned entire rooms because of how unbearable they can get from a hot skylight.

With EZ Snap skylight shades, you can get your house back.

Skylight Shade Temperature Difference

Here’s a customer review from Bob G. that shows the temperature difference EZ Snap made in their kitchen:

“Our kitchen has a number of southern facing windows plus skylights. When the outside temperature got more than 90 degrees – the kitchen would get into the high 80’s.

We ordered enough for two skylights and four windows with the EZ Snap system. Shipping was super fast and the packaging was well done.

The system was super simple to install. The install took about two hours, including going up and down on the roof.

After we installed, the temperature in the kitchen stayed in the 70’s even as it got to 90 degrees outside. Take a look at the picture – you can see the outside temp is 93 degrees, while it is a cool 76 degrees inside.”

With that kind of temperature swing, EZ Snap shades end paying for themselves through lower energy costs.

Follow this link if you would like more information about our line of shade products.

The Ultimate Guide For Skirting Your Tiny House

by Mike Letendre | Feb 21, 2019 | EZ Snap, News & Announcements, Tiny House

Window Shades

Skylight Shades

RV Skirting

RV Shades

Boat Shades

The movement for living small is rapidly growing.

As more people are moving into tiny homes to live year round, those living in colder climates are finding they have their own unique challenges that come with living in the cold.

One of the biggest issues they face is keeping their house safe during freezing temperatures.

The tanks and pipes for these homes are usually under the carriage and they are susceptible to freezing if the temperature gets low enough.

Because water expands as it freezes, if the pipes freeze they could burst.

Repairs are expensive and a hassle, and it also means going without water until everything is fixed.

The best way to protect your tiny home from freezing is to put a RV skirting on the base of it.

A skirt is a material that wraps around the base of the home, sealing off the undercarriage.

By enclosing the area under the home, it keeps the cold air out and allows you to warm up the enclosed air.

That’s basically all skirting is, a way to close off the undercarriage of your tiny house so you can keep it warm enough to prevent it from freezing.

As for what material to use, because the tiny house market is such a custom industry there is a lot of different information out there and it can be hard to know what to pick.

There is an idea that you need to use a material with a high R-value to be able to effectively skirt your home. This is not necessarily true.

While it certainly doesn’t hurt, you don’t need a material with a high R-value because you don’t need the undercarriage to be as a warm as your house.

All you need is to keep it warm enough to stop your pipes from freezing.

A nice bonus from using skirting is that your floors will stay warmer. Most of the cold in a tiny home is coming up through the floor, so having a warmer undercarriage means reducing your heating costs and staying more comfortable.

If you have decided that you want to skirt your tiny home, the next decision to make is what materials to use.

Chances are if you live in a tiny house you are a seasoned DIYer, and there are no shortage of do it yourself options.

The most common materials used for do-it-yourself tiny house skirting are:

Rigid foam insulation panels
Sheets of plywood
Hay bales
Snow
Vinyl skirting

Rigid Foam Insulation

Using rigid foam insulation boards is one of the most popular choices for skirting a tiny house.

It’s inexpensive, easy to cut and easy to install.

The biggest problem with foam insulation is that the panels are so lightweight that they can easily blow off unless you build extra reinforcement.

This is typically done by building a frame and then attaching the panels to it.

If you care about aesthetics you’ll also need to put in some extra work because the insulation panels can be an eyesore on their own.

It’s the type of project that is a lot of work up front, but if you are planning to spend years in one spot then you can just leave it up and not have to worry about it.

If you foresee yourself moving at any point in the near future, however, it would most likely mean leaving your frame and insulation behind as it would be too big and heavy to bring with you.

Plywood

Buying and cutting large sheets of plywood is another common option for skirting.

It’s durable, fairly inexpensive and is available everywhere.

Because plywood is heavy, it also doesn’t necessarily need a frame built for it.

There also isn’t a lot of skill or tools required so it can be done by pretty much anyone.

A lot of home improvement stores will even cut your plywood for free provided the cuts are straight and simple.

But like with the foam board, plywood can be unsightly as well.

Large panels of bare plywood that are leaning against your tiny home is not the look most people want.

To make it look seamless to your home, this too would require a frame to attach it to and paint and trim to make it look natural.

And because plywood is extremely heavy, it would only make sense to use if you never planned on moving.

The other thing to consider is that many tiny homes move as you walk through them, and if you have plywood mounted on the outside it can scratch and damage the exterior.

Hay Bales

For a lower cost option, a lot of people recommend using hay bales.

They are cheap, abundant and they work very well as insulation material.

However, hay bales have two very large drawbacks.

First, they are a fire hazard.

Hay is extremely flammable and it doesn’t take much to set it ablaze.

Second, hay also attracts vermin.

Using it could mean inviting a mouse infestation and all the issues that come with that.

Hay may be extremely inexpensive, but it’s not worth putting your safety at risk.

Snow

By far the cheapest skirting material you could use is snow.

It’s totally free, and by piling and packing snow around the base of the house it acts as an effective insulator.

But it only works if you have enough snow all winter long.

If the temperature hits freezing but there’s no snow on the ground, you are going to be in trouble and without a lot of options.

It’s the kind of solution that works well when everything is the best case scenario, but as we all know life rarely operates like that.

You don’t want to find yourself having to build a makeshift skirting in the freezing cold in the dead of winter.

The money you save by using snow might not be worth the stress and hassle that comes with it.

Vinyl

The best value for price and performance is using vinyl as your skirting.

Vinyl skirting for your tiny home makes the most sense because of how lightweight and versatile it is.

It’s easy to customize to fit your house and terrain, and if you ever plan on moving spots you can roll it up and take it with you.

There are a lot of varieties of skirting available, and it can be hard to know what is the best choice for your tiny house.

EZ Snap makes the process of buying vinyl skirting easy.

All you have to do is measure the length and height of your tiny home’s undercarriage and order the appropriate kit from their website.

Installing EZ Snap is straightforward and can be done in as little as a day.

Not every home and situation is the same, and it’s important to do as much research as you can before choosing a skirting for your tiny house.

What works for one person may not necessarily work for you.

Skirting is what will protect your home from freezing, so think of it as a long term investment that is worth your time and money.

Tiny Home Skirting Review

Ez Snap is a surprisingly thin but durable vinyl. I have been using foam boards year round for 6 years and finally upgraded.

My EZ snap installation took 2 days for an 8×24’ trailer… Overall, VERY happy with the finished result!

The company is easy to get in touch with and ships orders quickly. The customer service and support team at EZ snap is great! I recommend this product.

Thanks,
Robin B.

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B Deck

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B Side

Tiny Home Skirting Review Photos from Robin B Hitch

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