Front Window Screens for Van Life | TheGalavan

Whether you're boondocking or stealth camping in a city staying cool living the off-grid nomad life can be tricky. When it's warm, you need to crack a window, but how to keep the bugs out without spending $150 for the EuroCamper Air Vents?
In this video, I show you how to make your own front window screens for less than $4 with plastic gutter guards I purchased at Home Depot. Granted, these aren't as secure as the $150 Air Vents, but you could make yours shorter so someone can't get in.
Link to the gutter guards: www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-... (Not an affiliate link)
Or for double the cost, you could get metal gutter guards, but they don't come with screening attached and wouldn't be as easy to work with.
Here at TheGalavan I feature vans, primarily designed and built by women, to give you inspiration for your own van build. I’m always on the lookout for other van life enthusiasts who want to collaborate and share their love of this lifestyle. I also love to cook from scratch in my van and share accessories, tips, and tricks to make van life easier and more successful for you.
Gear & Accessories:
Canon G7x Mark ii: amzn.to/2FBCjYQ
Fotopro Flexible Tripod: amzn.to/2E7fjCV
Video Editing: iMovie
3qt Instant Pot: amzn.to/2VF15Ah
3qt IP Inserts: amzn.to/2xKJK0F
This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission.
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[@tybrady4598]

On my 2024 Toyota Sienna, I only had to cut off about a quarter inch off of each end. The window edge is almost straight, but good enough to fit in that groove. Works great. My local Lowes had these.

[@kevingeiger1140]

Just want to add the tip that if any of you have tin snips for cutting sheet metal that will work great as well

[@ScottyToaster]

Very clever! Thanks for the idea and the easy to follow instructions.

[@VivecaV2020]

I bought the gutter guards. I didn’t have to cut any. I didn’t realize they would be a shorter length. But all I had to do was to make a border at each end with Duck tape. It worked great!! Thanks for the demonstration-it was easy!! Great solution for second row windows in my Sienna.

[@paigelovespumpkinses]

Thank you. This worked. I just did it after watching your video a couple times - once to see what materials to get, and next to see how to do it. Thank you, thank you.

[@thevanstopshere]

We did this same exact thing for our van build. We found that if you just push the screen a little bit forward the window will slide in front of it and you won’t have any gaps or bulges and won’t need the tape either. Hope you like the tip. We love your channel.

[@TheGalavan]

Oh! That's great! Thanks for the tip!

[@GreatGrannyFreeBird]

brilliant way to keep the bugs out and still have the airflow (with a stiff enough screen not to blow around).

[@lindabarker7142]

Using the gutter guards was a great idea. I made screens for my van that velcro on the inside and have magnets outside, but yours seem more sturdy. good video

[@ritamurphy9426]

I used this same product for my back windows of my car when we go car camping. It makes all the difference in the summertime to get the cool night air for sleeping. I put them in while the door is open to help place the channel on the window edge easier. I also cut a small piece from the flat- non channel- area to place in the window instead of using tape. It just slips right in.

[@kathleenkline4622]

I used commercially made ones that were very similar for my tractor trailer cab windows. Nice to have a plan for the van! Suggestion...fit the bottom groove onto the window before you roll it up. That way the screen doesn't bend as it fits into the frame channel.

[@TheGalavan]

Thanks for the tip!

[@susananderson9619]

I made two,placed down onto the glass then tried to electricly roll up the window. Had to keep doing it so it wouldn't buckle.oh and after I finally had them perfectly installed, didn't I ,later that day, push the one button accidentally.arghh

[@susananderson9619]

I wish car manufacturers would install them so the window can be rolled up or down for any number of reasons.

[@4yellowwolf]

That’s a great tip 👍🏼. I’m building out my van and will making these for my windows tomorrow.

[@kudzub]

Great idea! Thanks. ETA: A little coroplast would work for the gap.

[@Hydrosrv]

Well done. Thank you for posting!

[@MrWhyareyouhere]

Thanks for the tip Joanie great idea.

[@dianahollenbeck9986]

Great idea! Thank you for sharing this.

[@windopelli9486]

Nice Joanie, very creative.

[@DonnaBMacK]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this!

[@r.c.7762]

That is a good idea. I don't like bugs, but love fresh air.

[@Augiebracerofam]

Clever, simple and inexpensive idea! Thank you for sharing!

[@jerseygirl1871]

I'm going to the store tomorrow. Great idea, thanks

[@MsRegina333]

Joanie, you are so creative! Thanks for the video!

[@TheGalavan]

I should have mentioned that I learned about this from a vanlife couple I met last fall!

[@mhayes6864]

Wow! The best one I’ve seen! Will definitely go get some today! Thank you so much for sharing, Jonie!

[@omalo3645]

what a great idea! Quick, easy, inexpensive...seems to kinda match the protective material you put over your windows about a year ago! Thanks Joni!

[@manondesrochers8989]

Very helpful, easy to do and cheap. Thank you for sharing.

[@elainekethler2309]

Pretty, easy, economical and functional! Excellent idea. I can see that I will simply have to make a set for my van!

[@thudang3039]

Love this! Always cool to see ideas on how other van folks are solving problems we're all facing.

[@rosamnaranjo1]

Excelente idea was looking for something like that thanks so much for caring 🌹❤️

[@bettybrigance6784]

I'm gonna try this, been wanting to for awhile now...thanks for sharing...stay safe and happy

[@davidjohn9006]

Excellent idea/solution. That’s a keeper 👍🏼👍🏽👍🏻

[@TheGalavan]

Thanks 👍

[@catsmeow8504]

Fabulous idea!

[@joshirwin1]

Did mine today. Turned out great! Thanks for the video.

[@TheGalavan]

Glad it helped!

[@nancyskean6425]

Thanks Joanie! This is something that I can actually tackle myself! Great idea that is practical and relatively easy to do. Love it!

[@TheGalavan]

Yes! You can! Although be sure to watch the blooper at the very end! 😄

[@manondesrochers5729]

Very very helpful. Thank you for sharing, I’ll do that for my camper van build. It’s easy, cheap and doesn’t require any special skills or tools. I love it.

[@TheGalavan]

Yes - super simple. My girlfriend used black Plastidip on hers and it looks even better!

[@lorirugato6463]

Love your idea!

[@sandrabeck8788]

Nice video! Thank you!

[@robin5382]

Great and inexpensive problem solver. Thank you.

[@cotter9751]

Great idea!

[@CosmickGold]

EXCELLENT idea! I'd been wondering how I'm going to screen my van's windows. Thank's to you, I now have the answer!

[@karinhart489]

Thanks Joni, I will try this for my front window on my RAM ProMasterCity. Have the tinted wind guard over the windows for ventilation at night, but have been struggling to find a way to keep bugs out.

[@karenr67]

Clever. I'll remember for future use.

[@FeralCatSanctuary]

Perfect! What a great idea, I will definitely do the same with my windows. Thanks so much.

[@SarahTree]

Great idea! I'm sure that that's going to work great!

[@kcKaren1]

Great idea

[@debcecotti8273]

Nice job!

[@laurajphillips5981]

Great idea!

[@lifewithpugwinkle]

Excellent video on DIY screens!

[@rndmparker561]

Thank you for sharing this great idea! I will definitely be doing this for summer truck camping.

[@TheGalavan]

Have fun!

[@Just.Cathy.Not.aWanderingGypsy]

Yes done this too and they work awesome!!!

[@jillom6648]

Oooo...glad I checked in. Been urban camping and will appreciate more ventilation ☺️

[@TheGalavan]

Glad I could help! It's a great, cheap solution for sure!

[@emastanton9199]

Wow, that was a little piece of genius there. Thank you so much!

[@uber2tuber]

Awesome idea! thank you!

[@mcouragee]

That's cool that lemon oil works

[@mimitravels710]

This was great. Thanks

[@catchnote2]

excellent video 📹👏👍👌

[@charlesdecload4980]

Chip and great ideas 💡 I love it.really appreciate...smart lady love.

[@djsoffgridlife834]

Good idea!

[@DecrepitChef]

That is really awesome. I am going to try that

[@grazynakaledek6228]

Brilliant Idea Joni! a DIY inexpensive Idea. I have a 2009 Savana & can't get screens for it, so was thinking of making my own with 1/8" Plywood which is rather laborious. This is definitely the way to go. Fast & inexpensive. Thanks for sharing! Cheers from Toronto, Canada.

[@francinecormier7628]

Thank you like it a lot!❤

[@sonialongas7704]

Brillante idea!

[@MariaM-ms1mk]

Pretty good TK.

[@RVADrummer]

Great vid... thanks for posting!!!

[@TheGalavan]

Thanks for watching!

[@richardbartlett8451]

Well done

[@kevnrob1]

What a clever idea! Thanks, Joni, I picked up two guards at HD yesterday. Hope to have them installed soon. This is incredible because I had actually considered plopping down some serious money, $100 or more, for commercially made ones. I spent $4 on the gutter guards. I'll let you know how they work out.

[@TheGalavan]

Excellent! And a more recent comment mentioned that they just leave them in place all the time, that their window just rolls up in front of it if they push it a little out of the way, and then, no need for the tape because there's no gap!

[@Fit4Expedition]

I ❤️ this idea!

[@patriciaburr4826]

Really interesting ...thanks for sharing.

[@TheGalavan]

My pleasure

[@flowersafeheart]

Thank you! You went into detail in important ways and I appreciate that.🙂 For some vehicles, black materials will be better.

[@lindawoody8501]

Very helpful. We are going to camp in our recently purchased older Econoline window passenger van and like the idea of window screen inserts for the cab windows that look secure. May spray paint the finished product black and super glue a cut section of the gutter cover I use to just be that needed bottom tail if our window requires it. Want to look secure like metal is used so nobody thinks they can just push their way in easily.

[@sharonunruh826]

Awesome idea!

[@TheGalavan]

Thanks!

[@catemistruzzistaff7155]

Brilliant!

[@cmgdurr8379]

Like it a lot!

[@prophetesspinki1]

Thank you for sharing, you made it look so easy

[@TheGalavan]

It's as easy as it looks! One of the easiest vanlife upgrades you can do!

[@marshabrown8337]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@TheGalavan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@allegrosotto2126]

Thanks!

[@theglampercamper]

This is awesome! I am definitely going to try this!!! Thank you for this tutorial!!! =D

[@beamusedrev]

Great idea! I could even do that in my car. Thanks!

[@TheGalavan]

Go for it!

[@luzvelazquez3373]

Thanks 😊

[@VivecaV2020]

Thank you for posting that! I did not realize that gutter guards came in a plastic material. I thought I would be having to cut metal and I’ve been planning on doing that for my middle row van windows because I already have screen socks for the front windows. but they don’t have screen socks that fit for the sliding doors..

[@hectorllaneza4070]

Muy buena idea la felicito👍👍👍✌️

[@janethudson3844]

Genius!!

[@leahjohnson5682]

wow - nice looking, and kind of classical. Your example showing how it was done was just right. Not to chatty just enough.

[@amcheck1446]

Awesome idea Joni, thanks for sharing. Would love to join your group but not not a fan of Facebook. Stay safe.🙂

[@tomkitchen2764]

Clever.

[@greade]

like your dazzling smile

[@robertcooke8320]

Excellant thank you soo much

[@sydnieleehoughton3935]

Brilliant.

[@sandranalls6689]

Really clever!

[@TheGalavan]

Thanks! Just passing on what I've seen on the road and giving the step-by-step to achieve it! 😉

[@dewayneavery5097]

That is by far,the easyist window bug card I’ve seen.

[@katherinecain7821]

Thank you

[@reecespbcups]

LOVE IT

[@yang4youtubing]

brilliant

[@MySonsMother]

Ford windows are shaped much differently, with a long piece running downward. When I made mine with these last year I had to use 2 for each window.

[@TheGalavan]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

Back in the '70s I had a set of those that were custom made for the style of my van and what they had in the corners was a little piece of foam and it worked really good. I'll get out to check that out. Maybe make a set for my Chevy van? Thank you very much

[@leonschatz01]

Hi. My name is Leon. I convert cargo vans. Building vans is not my full-time job but I love it. The company is called Far To Go Vans. We are based in Fargo, ND USA. I like how you repurpose things to make van accessories. Proof that buildouts that don’t have to be expensive to be functional, aesthetically pleasing. I can do a low-end (full) buildout for 120 K. Scary to even think about.

[@ericsulen1499]

Awesome DIY projects and the steps to make the screens! 👍👍👍😎😎😎!! I do have one question can I do this for a Ford Econoline? Thanks again, as always, for the videos, plz, keep them coming? Thanks again, Eric Sulen Grand Rapids Michigan.

[@TheGalavan]

Whether this will work for a Ford Econoline just depends on how curved the top of the window is. You can always try one first to see if it will work!

[@vikki92411]

Nice

[@janossweetheart8192]

Luv!

[@dominicschaeffer909]

this is great! can you double them up by putting the top edge into the track edge of a second piece?

[@gracecallowayable]

Awesome!!!👠🚌👠

[@collyhughes5144]

The one I saw like this used screen attached to the gutter in order to keep the tiny bugs out. They used duct tape to attach the screen to the gutter. Using the plastic looks far better than using the metal as they did. Thanks for posting.

[@TheGalavan]

This product already has screen attached! And for only $4!

[@mycharmedunicorn8715]

@@TheGalavan does this only come in white? Black would be nice

[@TheGalavan]

@@mycharmedunicorn8715 I believe it also comes in brown. I have a friend who spray painted hers black.