Motorhome & Caravan Screw Cover Strips
Screw cover strips are used as a decorative trim to cover the screw heads and fixings in aluminium channels and waist rails. Manufactured from a flexible PVC compound in a wide selection of colours, these profiles are found on most motorhomes and caravans. Replacing your existing screw cover strips when they begin to fade or shrink is essential when restoring the exterior of your van.
These trims are available in several different sizes designed to fit into the dovetail recess in the aluminium channel. We recommend that you warm the section in hot water so that it becomes soft and pliable. This allows you to squeeze the screw cover strip into the opening in the frame along the exterior of your caravan or motorhome. As it is possible to stretch PVC during fitting, we recommend that you cut the trim several inches longer than the end of the channel. This allows you to cut the trim in line with the end of the frame at a later date knowing that you have allowed enough time for the section to shrink back to its original length.
Please see our How to Identify and Replace a Screw Cover Strip guide for assistance with purchasing the correct section.
All Motorhome & Caravan SealsFrequently Asked Questions
Screw cover strips are available in a selection of different sizes, depending on the size of the aluminium track they will be fitted into. This includes 10mm, 11.3mm, 12.3mm, 13.5mm, 14.9mm and 17.3mm wide trims. This selection of sizes allows you to purchase a replacement screw cover strip that is not too big or too loose for your aluminium track.
You will need to measure your existing screw cover strip to identify the best replacement section. This width should be between 10mm and 17mm. As this strip may have distorted or been squashed with age, it is also useful to measure the track where this seal should be fitted. When measuring the track, it is advisable to find the end and measure the internal width. This is often larger than the visible opening.
For more information on identifying the best replacement screw cover strip, please see our How to Identify and Replace a Screw Cover Strip technical help guide.
Screw cover strips do not have a set lifespan. However, as they are fitted to the outside of your vehicle they can degrade though the effects of weathering and temperature changes. This could include discolouring, missing sections or shrinkage.
As these strips are made from a flexible PVC material, they can shrink at either end. This can look unsightly as shrinkage will reveal bare parts of the aluminium track.
You should make an assessment when you believe your screw cover strips should be replaced.
Replacing your screw cover strip is a relatively straight forward process. Start removing the existing strip by prying one end out of the track. Once released you can pull on the length to remove it from the channel.
Before fitting the new strip, it is important to clean the track to ensure it is free from any dirt or debris.
To fit a screw cover strip into an aluminium track you should start by warming it in a bucket of warm water or by leaving it in the sun. This will soften the material and make it significantly easier to fit into the channel. Take the end of the strip and pinch it into the opening in the aluminium track. Being careful not to stretch the section, keep squeezing the trim along its entire length all the way down the channel.
This material can be unintentionally stretched during the installation process. To minimise the chance of this happening, it is advisable to leave approximately 3 to 6 inches of strip hanging out the end of the track. This will allow the section to shrink back to its original length. Any excess can be trimmed off after a few days.
Please see our How to Identify and Replace a Screw Cover Strip guide for assistance with replacing your screw cover strip.
For support or assistance with choosing a replacement screw cover strip for your caravan, motorhome or boat, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Seals Direct.
Our extensive range of sizes and colours allows you to choose a replacement strip that is a replica to your existing section. All of these products are manufactured from high-quality PVC compounds that have been specifically designed for outdoor use.
For further information on any of our products or for technical assistance in choosing the best replacement screw cover strip, please get in touch with our knowledgeable team.