Bus window alteration?

[TygerCub]

Does anyone know if it's possible to replace the bottom pane of glass with wood or metal and keep the upper pane? This would give more vertical wall space inside, but allow the original window to open normally.

[mightybus]

That is a great idea. I have seen that done by people that have accidentally broken panes. To plan to do that is cool. I like the sound of using metal or plastic better than wood though. Incidentally, have you considered spreading crushed rock where you plan to park the bus? I am envious of your genesis. Sweet ride. Best of both worlds.

[TygerCub]

Yeah, it looks like I may be putting down some crush-n-run in the driveway pretty soon. A friend of the family knows how to do the prep work and offered his help. So it may be a moot point. Just have to get my taxes back to pay for it all!

[chev49]

first you gotta remove the window from the frame, usually held in by two screws on each side. can be removed with phillips screwdriver. top window can come out, and if your bottom solid one happens to be glued in, you can always disassemble the frame. Keep in mind that when you put steel or something else in place of the bottom window, that you go to the automotive paint store and get a tube of the black windshield/window sealant and put that in the channel first as you assemble it. (about $15) This is a very good product, and can be used for sealing holes, and more.
I suppose many people would just use the good 100% silicone at walmart cause its half the cost..

[Diesel Dan]

Originally Posted by TygerCub

Does anyone know if it's possible to replace the bottom pane of glass with wood or metal and keep the upper pane? This would give more vertical wall space inside, but allow the original window to open normally.

I did something like this in my bathroom area. I did a quick-and-dirty approach. I left the window in, and just put a piece of thin paneling (like luan) that I had painted black up against the inside of the window with the black side facing out, then insulation, then covered with my wall paneling and trim. I blacked out my rear windows using the same approach. My bus windows are all tinted, so blacking a window out as I described works well because it doesn't look very different than the other windows from the outside. Sure was a lot less work than removing the window and trying to skin half of the outside. I think it looks good and I still have insulation and everything. Maybe someone can point out a disadvantage of my approach, but I can't think of anything off-hand. I suppose if the window got broken it might be harder to fix since it's walled in, but I think at that point I'd figure out a way to just skin it in place from the outside.

I did skin several of my windows with metal as well. So I guess I just used different approaches for different areas.

[bansil]

only thing I can think is that the dark tinted window,with insulation behind it, may turn into a heat sink with the sun shining on it?This would heat up the wall on the backside of the window.
I was thinking short term(maybe forever ) of painting the windows silver or body color which looks like it will be a very light sand color and then caulking, insulation and cover inside this way it wouldn't get as hot to the touch and transfer heat inside.

Who knows...seems good in my mind

[TygerCub]

The only reason I want to remove the bottom pane of glass is to avoid it being broken after I've built a wall behind it. Wouldn't help with the top pane, I know. But why tempt fate?

Now to totally contradict myself... I've also been toying with the idea of doing some kind of fake "stained-glass" on the windows that I don't want using a gel I'd seen in the local art store.

Unfortunately, the windows just aren't quite the right size. I would have to remove the entire window, build my "fake", hinge it at the top, and prop it open like a shutter when I wanted fresh air.

The benefits = it would be pretty and would let in light without compromising privacy. I also like the idea of adding a foam plug to it during the heat of summer and propping them open for additional shade.

The disadvantage = that's a hell of a lot of fabrication that would take more time than I have.

But it's fun to dream up weird stuff.

[dirtygoat]

It would be pretty straight forward... The windows come out really easy and then take it apart, replace glass with whatever and put it back together... I took out all my windows and took them apart to recycle the aluminum... I still have all the glass, need to make a dump run...