Making Custom Car Window Screens

Details on how we built custom car window screens for privacy, ventilation, and to keep the bugs out of our Honda Pilot microcamper while we're camping and sleeping in the vehicle.
Find out more about the steps we took to make them here: • A Quick Look At Making... and on our blog at chrisandemilie.ca/windowscreen...

[@nightskylights4501]

Now, that's how you make a video. Start with showing the end results first. Then explaining how it was made later. No annoying talking and talking at the beginning. That way people won't waste their time watching the entire video if at the end they decide that's not what they wanted. And no annoying music either. Thank you, thank you! Now, like everyone else here is saying, if you start selling these, I would definitely buy them from you guys. Never underestimate people like me who are too lazy, or have no patience to make stuff like this. You're going to make a ton of money!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

We're glad you liked the video! Thanks for your support on making more window covers, though we won't be selling them anytime soon as they are quite a bit of work to make.

[@OhVictoria]

That’s one of the most brilliant things I’ve ever seen! Wow. You guys could literally make a business out of creating those for other nomads. I need these 😩 I volunteer to be your first customer!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!!

[@carolyncoppola974]

Definitely! I would be your second customer! No screens is probably the #1 reason I’m cautious about car camping! You are extremely talented! God bless you!

[@TheGratitudeAttitude]

Third customer! =)

[@ev6377]

fourth :)

[@TheGratitudeAttitude]

@@ev6377 Oh no... we'll have to wait until they are back from Greece LoL !

[@nataliajakucheva4549]

I'm very amazed with the screens and the fan! Great design ! Urgent patent!💡

[@ronleach5512]

Very nice! This is far better than anything I have seen commercially. You did a fantastic job.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you so much! They took some work, but we love using them.

[@martykasa7864]

This is genius! No need to cut a hole in the roof for a fantastic fan. ... AND it's also bug screen AND window shade ! When are you taking orders ? : D

[@grahamlewis3387]

I don't generally comment on videos like this but I'm impressed, great job and greetings from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!!

[@krasmussen7514]

Way better than just using Reflectix only. You get air and exhaust with this style. Love it.

[@Lolololo73]

Wow! I’m impressed! You guys are pro car campers 😊 Happy travelling!

[@GiantMeteor2024]

Great engineering, well thought out and executed! 🍻

[@davidjohn9006]

Well thought out, and usable. Excellent design 👍🏼

[@manondesrochers5729]

Great idea and it’s a project I can do for my van conversion. Thank you for sharing.

[@onlyinparadise4613]

Amazing!! Love it. Best window covering EVER! You should sell this ASAP!

[@denimgenes5909]

The people commenting on this are 100% right....you could make a business with this diy innovation man....I've been contemplating how to do something like this for the sunroof of my car for some time now. Brilliant build!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you! We’ve been thinking about doing something with the sunroof too. Good luck with your project!

[@chilltimefuntimetv1313]

That's a clever design. Thanks for sharing.

[@laurat7932]

That is the best window product I've seen. I agree with the other comments that this would be a money making enterprise.

[@themetalmaiden7462]

Nice work! This is probably the nicest one of these that I've seen since I started looking into making some window screens for my vehicle. And I love the idea about the usb powered fans since they should run for quite awhile on one of those power packs.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!

[@jennymckean1841]

Wow, Genius! Best covers I have ever seen!

[@lilynormp]

This is a genius idea and so does the fan. Thank you for sharing this. Now it gives me an idea from my mini van😁👍

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Awesome!! Would love to see what you end up doing.

[@thomasfeldman3613]

this is absolutely fantastic! great work!!!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!!

[@thecookietheory]

I watched this whole video totally open-mouthed. Genius.

[@MrCaparica]

Well done. Looks great.

[@name.terrie]

Genius! This is awesome! Thanks soooo much for sharing this!!! Happy trails and safe travels!!!

[@youtubepp8769]

This is the best so far

[@mikegustafson6679]

Brilliant, so much to love about this! Thanks for sharing the details,..

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!

[@SarahL7779]

Outstanding thank you!! I just built an AC for my car. I have the same or close to the same venting fan and have been wracking my brain on how to install it in a window! This will work perfectly!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Glad to hear!!

[@thudang3039]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@kimprocarione5473]

You should patten those AMAZING windows covers! They're cooler than I could have ever imagined! And I've seen clever ones before! Brava!! and Well Done!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!!

[@zsolovyev]

Super nice and clever design and implementation! Thank you for sharing.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks you!!

[@jameskringlee8974]

very neatly done. thank you

[@nickym2356]

Really brilliant 👏👌👍😀!!!!

[@marklundegren]

Very nice...like how you were able to have screening and shading in one design.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!

[@mamaninacooks]

WOW! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing! Gonna do this.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!! Let us know how your project goes!

[@sharingtheadventure]

Just wanted to say excellent idea and video. Thank you so much for sharing this idea and the details. :-)

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@lucasduck95]

super inteligent design, fully functional, amazing

[@markshoenus2591]

Ummm, impressive. Might have to steal this idea. Thanks for posting and sharing. I'm sure I'll be watching this vid over and over again to remember everything.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you! Hope your project goes well!

[@philipkelly3697]

sick! Great job!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!!

[@tomjones2348]

Well done! Thanks for sharing.

[@MattTheDesigner]

Awesome! I might try this!

[@gracecallowayable]

Wow!!! That’s amazing!!! Well done!!!👠🚌👠

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!!

[@kimberleesouthern8775]

Very smart! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@bowenz3497]

this is genius! you got yourselves a sub

[@jenniferb3380]

Thank you! This is brilliant.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Glad you liked it!

[@ranchitup1845]

This video alone made me subscribe very clever, will have to make my own.

[@asifadeni]

Excellent idea

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!

[@JustMuah57]

omg!! what a fabulous idea!!!

[@lechen5540]

Great idea

[@Moozy57]

Great idea!

[@sportsguy28227]

Wow that’s awesome. Very well built. You need to sell that.

[@alysiamarie100]

I WOULD SUGGEST HAVING A MESH MATERIAL SCREEN ON THE OUTSIDE SO IT BLENDS BETTER. HELLA COOL DUDES

[@bagelandapriusrv]

I have watched MANY videos on making screens, yours are by far the very best! Thanks for sharing!! I think I may use Roxul board instead of plywood just because I have lots of extra lying around..hopefullly it will hold up!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!! Good luck with your project - let us know how it works out.

[@juliejules7780]

Yea, I don't know how to cut plywood. You're talking to someone with no skills whatsoever

[@georgiacorey954]

Pretty cool idea adding the usb fan.

[@dawnhill539]

Brilliant 😀 thank you for sharing

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!

[@marilynmaat3076]

Genius!!!!!!! Thank YOUUUUUU!!!!!

[@MisterJingosSmile]

Magnificent!

[@GenaralZod]

I love it. It gives me some ideas

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Let us know what you come up with!

[@HomeARoam]

Genius you two! It looks so amazing and well thought out. Love everything about it - especially the fan for extra ventilation!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!! It was fun to work on!

[@bebelives]

Thats pretty slick

[@BruceParks]

Nice execution! Some questions came to mind: I can imagine the canvas effectively blocking light but how much light leaks through the fan openings? Any issues with the screens tilting out of place as you drive? Are you satisfied with the quietness of the fans? Have you thought about adding deflectors to keep rain out? Overall, you've done a masterful job. It's a really well thought out design.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks Bruce!! There is some light that comes through the fan so we made little canvas covers that go around those too. (Our shorter video shows them but we forgot to talk about them in the longer video.) We can put them up when we want privacy and take them down when the fans are on. We don’t drive with the screens in place - we put them up when we get to our camp spot and store them while we’re driving. They are pretty tensioned in so they don’t move while we’re parked. The fans are reasonably quiet. We’re happy with them. Funny you mention the deflectors! Through a series of Amazon delivery mishaps we ordered them a while ago but actually didn’t receive them until the other day. We’re looking forward to trying those out next time we go camping!

[@jeswantnandakumar7685]

Very impressive keep it up and luxurious too

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!!

[@vridlon]

Wow really smart! I would purchase this.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!

[@mjcfsutton]

AWESOME PATENT THAT!!!!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!!

[@sergelevesque7043]

Thank you :-) 👍

[@lucasduck95]

thats brilliant

[@Snail_Nailz]

Thank u for sharing this!!! Its SO much better than the sock type screens that go over the outside as well. We’re frequent campers & road trippers so this is absolutely perfect for pets riding in the back n trips to the desert 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Glad you liked them! We used the screens that go over the outside for a few years but they just weren’t what we needed either.

[@outbacktrekking3713]

Ya, im late to this party. I love this layout and will definitely be copying this design. Of course, modified for fit a subaru with no window frame... a bit of a challenge. Thank you for sharing.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!! We hope your build goes well and you figure out a no window frame option!

[@janossweetheart8192]

Perfect!

[@ishadoll1801]

Very ingenius .. I'm just now watching this, and I see it's been a year since you posted this video, I hope youve patent your idea.!!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!!

[@CarlosEnriqueAmaro]

This is genius and I think it’s a million dollar idea. You can easily sell these on Amazon for every make and model trucks and SUVs.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you!!

[@sarahsmith4617]

Impressive! Now I want to make one...or 4 lol

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

haha! Thanks!

[@miksUSA777]

The Best! Hope you can post a video on "how to" build it . 😀

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks! In the meantime, you can check out our blog post with a few more details on the build: www.chrisandemilie.ca/windowscreen.html

[@mugzy7105]

Brilliant

[@brainfreeze1925]

I've wondered for quite a while how effective computer case fans might be. A couple of questions...how long will the fans run for on the battery pack. And...how effective are the fans. I was thinking to use at least 2 in my own build. Your video is just what I've been looking for! Thanks!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

We're really happy with them. The fans run for about 4 - 5 nights on the battery packs. Though if it's very hot out and no breeze, some bigger fans would be better. Let us know how your build goes!

[@carolyntorres8171]

Excellent! I need to learn to use a jigsaw!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

It’s a good tool to learn how to use!

[@gov683]

Great idea want to tey, never used jigsaw but always first time. Thanks

[@martinmartin5904]

Not has stealth as I wish . So I’m working on the idea of diverting the fan of the heating-ventillation system from my vehicle. This involves by-passing its power through a switch upstream of the vehicle blower and powering the whole with a battery other than that of the vehicle .

[@mohammadajmalahmadi1764]

Thanks hats off brilliant just one thing could the passenger's side fans be put on the other side to avoid the issue with the little part of the window ? Hope I am talking nonsense . Thanks very much for the post . Will definitely watch your other posts

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks for watching! You can make your frame with the fan on the other side if you prefer. We placed ours on the far side so it wouldn't be directly over our face when we slept. We made it so that it's not sitting over the "little part" of the window though.

[@leonaadamson]

Genius!

[@CannyNomad]

Fantastic! The only thing I don't care for is the Wood due to the added weight (I Prius Camp so weight is important).

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks! Weight is always a consideration for us too. In this case we needed something sturdy to support the weight of the fan that we wanted to setup by the window. In our latest video we built a clothing shelf from PVC which is super light.

[@BrotherDanInCanada]

Great! Are you going to make more for sale?

[@docwatson1134]

Chris, you have a wide range of skills, to end up with such a polished and well thought out build. All the layout and woodworking, I can do, but the sewing amazes me. Did you stitch each one by hand, or is possible to use a machine?

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you! The canvas was mostly done with a sewing machine but we did the magnets by hand. You might be able to get away with a machine for those too, depending on your sewing machine and attachments. We wanted the magnets to stay in super tight, which is why we did them by hand.

[@docwatson1134]

@@ChrisAndEmilie I have never made friends with a sewing machine. I use 3m double sided VHB tape for all my fabric joining needs. I'd like to get adequate at hand sewing, just for situations like those magnets. Still, using two layers of 1" wide tape and trapping the magnets in between them...VHB tape is wonderful, and I suck at sewing. I live in an 04 sienna, just ordered some extra stretch, extra strength insect mesh yesterday to build screens with. Will cut it oversize, start with just twenty or more magnets and secure it to the steel on inside, the frame area that's accessible once the sliding door is released. If I have clearance for the thickness of the magnets, when door is closed, that will be first version.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

@@docwatson1134 Haha - we get that as sometimes we just use hockey tape! Keep us posted on your screens!

[@michelebee991]

​@@docwatson1134 how did the magnet plan work out?

[@JDS-Dalton]

I honestly don't understand how you don't have more subscribers, this is by far the most professional looking window screen I've ever seen. I'm thinking about making these myself soon. How long does the battery last for the fan usually?

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!! We use a 10,000 maH battery for each fan and it lasts about 5 nights on the high speed setting. You might be able to get them to last longer as we’ve never fully drained the batteries.

[@JDS-Dalton]

@@ChrisAndEmilie that's pretty good! I'm planning on a 2 week road trip that will involve stealth camping and this'll be perfect for it.

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Awesome! Let us know how it works out for you!

[@factsmatter1172]

@@ChrisAndEmilie would you consider making these?

[@coziii.1829]

Cool

[@genelynacebedo2138]

Good idea

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks! We had fun making them.

[@jenniebancroft2778]

I wish i had these awesome screens for my little Hyundai,

[@angelabraggs7614]

OMG! where did you purchase your windows screen

[@vindicator2011]

...top notch

[@amnath]

I love this! VERY creative and well executed! How big is the battery and how long can the fan run?

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thank you! The fan runs for about 3-5 nights, depending on how long we’re running it for each night. Here’s our Amazon affiliate link for the power bank (we’re not sponsored but we make money off qualifying purchases) amzn.to/3gVYVse

[@michelebee991]

​@@ChrisAndEmilie the link doesn't work any more, could you let us know the name please?

[@mana-oc3qw]

Hi I have a couple questions. How far is the window down when you are running the fan? I assume far enough that the glass is below the case fan, correct? That being said what do you do to keep the rain out? Lastly I didnt see anyway to prevent someone or something from pushing this in and reaching in the vehicle. Sorry had to be asked, solo female camper and this would make me restless at night. Otherwise it's clever and well executed. Thanks for sharing

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

We vary the window height depending on the weather. We leave the windows open a few inches, but no necessarily lower than the lowest part of the fan if it’s cold or rainy out. We also use rain guards on the outside of the windows to keep the rain out. We lock our doors at night, but depending on how far down you open the window, it could be quite easy for someone to push in the frame. And even if it did lock into place, someone could simply tear the netting. There are security products with alarms and sensors that you might want to look into to help with that.

[@jane112wedge]

I really like these window screens! Very well done! Can you tell me what size were the snap screws you purchased for the fan? You don't have a link for those listed. Amazon has listed 5/8" and 3/8" available for purchase. I'm am inspired by your videos of these and am going to build something to put in my sunroof with the computer fans to use as exhaust. My version of a Fantastic Fan!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Hi Jane, thanks for the compliments! We didn't realize we didn't have the snaps listed, but here is our amazon affiliate link for what we bought: amzn.to/34sWObu A few notes: 1) That pack comes with two sizes but we only used the shorter ones. They are right on the edge of being too long since we embedded them slightly down to get the fan closer to the wood. 2) We rely on the window backing a bit to push the fans onto the snaps, so if you're putting them up in the sunroof you may want to attach the fans first. 3) As general advice for the sunroof (we've thought about doing this ourselves) you may want to think about making it such that you can tilt the sunroof up, like not slide it all the way open, for rain purposes. And you may want something lighter than the wood we're using and therefore you may not want these snaps. You should check out Matt the Designer's video as he has a neat solution using the same fan but using magnets. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX2kkpl-h5mefLc

[@jane112wedge]

@@ChrisAndEmilie /thank you for responding! I hope you are having a great trip in Costa Rica! I did see the video from Matt the Designer and also I watched one from Minimalist Mike....I combined the two and have finished my version to work in my Subaru Forester sunroof. Thanks again for the inspiration and the advice! Safe Travels!

[@artdeb86]

@@jane112wedge I would love to see you version!! I have a Subaru Forester as well and am looking to create window or sunroof - or both if someone tells me it will be worth the work! Thanks!!!

[@friarbud]

That's genius! I've been trying to figure out how to get a screen, a curtain and a fan in a mini-van, and this is by far the best idea I've seen. Did yall base this on something else? If so, can you please tell me what? Thanks!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks! We came up with the idea ourselves, so that we could keep the bugs out and have good ventilation at the same time.

[@friarbud]

@Chris And Emilie yea, I'm definitely gonna copy it for my minivan build. The fan idea is frikin genius, and then the way you have them with their own battery packs in the door 👌

[@friarbud]

@@ChrisAndEmilie Hi again, I'm seriously getting ready to buy some fans online and get this project started. Do you have any recommendations for the fans? I don't know anything about these sort of fans. Thanks so much!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

@@friarbud Hey! These are the fans we used: amzn.to/3b3bTAx And for our blog on the building of the screens, visit: chrisandemilie.ca/windowscreen.html Let us know how it goes!

[@friarbud]

@@ChrisAndEmilie thanks! Yea, for sure, I'll hit you up when I'm done! 👍

[@dainarosen8903]

wow!

[@doug-a-tron]

Where can I buy this?nice

[@fatpapercat4434]

Genius

[@dakotastorms1255]

I love this and would like to customize something like this.. Do you have something to prevent rain from getting on the fan like a little shield?

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

We ended up installing rain guards. We always planned to but we hadn't purchased them yet when we made this video. They work great and allow us to keep the windows open 2 inches/5cm even in heavy rain. There is mesh over the fan to keep the bugs out though!

[@michelebee991]

​@@ChrisAndEmilie what brand of rain guard did you use?

[@CheddahSlingah]

Fantastic design. How does this setup do on very hot days? Is the Reflectix on the other windows enough to keep cool?

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!! This setup keeps us a lot cooler in the summer than our previous setup because the fans are mounted to the frame blowing outside air into the car, and we can fully open the window.

[@CheddahSlingah]

@@ChrisAndEmilie Thanks for the reply! Dealing with ventilation, condensation, and insulation(While also keeping the bugs out) is a continuing problem for me, but I think that what you've done here might be the answer, if I'm able to build it. Do you have the fan on the opposite side blowing air out, or also in?

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

@@CheddahSlingah The fans flip to go in either direction depending on weather. That’s why we put in the snaps, so that it’s easy to change. You can find More details on how we made it here: chrisandemilie.ca/windowscreen.html

[@wvieira981]

How much cost for 2010 Toyota prius?

[@vstarcruiser7141]

Above Average!! Very cool

[@jerryspan6547]

Wow!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

Thanks!

[@dora7131]

I want this

[@Ripenr32]

I would buy these in a heart beat. Get this shit rolling man.