Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-05-2017, 05:03 PM   #1
Almost There
 
Jrcorkerin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: McCalla, Alabama
Posts: 76
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 cummins
Rated Cap: 78
Window options...

After doing a lot of research and thinking about window options I've come up with something and I wanted to get some thoughts on it. I want my bus to be well insulated. I've checked into different insulated window options and haven't really come up with an easy replacement window. From residential and rv windows I've not liked the sizes or prices I've found. So heres my idea. I stumbled on a product used for skylights, gazebos etc. I'll share the link below. I took the one window I broke apart. It come apart easily. I discovered if I remove the glass and rubber gasket this product will glaze right in the existing window frames. It come semi clear and tinted in a few different colors and I can get a huge sheet for around $100 that should be enough to do all the windows I intend to keep. I have more than twice the windows I need so I was thinking of doubling them since I will be furring the walls out thick enough for insulation to do that. My thoughts are to install the standard glass windows first ( maybe slightly tinted) then install the modified windows over them. This way I should get added insulation and be able to open the modified windows for light and visibility when wanted. Thoughts?

LEXAN Thermoclear 48 in. x 96 in. x 1/4 in. Clear Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet PCTW4896-6MMCL at The Home Depot - Mobile



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jrcorkerin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2017, 11:06 AM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Beech Grove, IN
Posts: 57
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Looks like a good product. I would guess it would have a little less temperature transfer than glass. I may consider this for a few windows on my bus where I would like light transfer, but don't need to actually see out.
bstewrat3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2017, 12:33 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,358
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown, integral. (With 2kW of tiltable solar)
Chassis: Crown Supercoach II (rear engine)
Engine: Detroit 6V92TAC, DDEC 2, Jake brake, Allison HT740
Rated Cap: 37,400 lbs GVWR
Just bear in mind that Lexan will deteriorate over time when exposed to UV. All the windows where I work are glazed with Lexan (if that isn't oxymoronic), and some windows have become almost opaque after several years because they have so many fine cracks and crazing on their surface. Because any polycarbonate or plastic isn't as hard as glass, you can't easily clean it when the surface gets rough. Maybe it can be polished out, but I've never heard of that being done to Lexan.

Perhaps if you used the Lexan inside the glass windows it would work better?

John
Iceni John is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2017, 01:01 PM   #4
Almost There
 
Jrcorkerin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: McCalla, Alabama
Posts: 76
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 cummins
Rated Cap: 78
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iceni John View Post
Just bear in mind that Lexan will deteriorate over time when exposed to UV. All the windows where I work are glazed with Lexan (if that isn't oxymoronic), and some windows have become almost opaque after several years because they have so many fine cracks and crazing on their surface. Because any polycarbonate or plastic isn't as hard as glass, you can't easily clean it when the surface gets rough. Maybe it can be polished out, but I've never heard of that being done to Lexan.

Perhaps if you used the Lexan inside the glass windows it would work better?

John


That's what I was thinking. Use the existing glass on the exterior and tint it and use the lexan product on the interior so it won't be exposed to the elements and sun exposure would be cut down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jrcorkerin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2017, 02:39 PM   #5
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Pensacola and Crystal River, FL
Posts: 647
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: Navistar 7.6L
menards has 4x12x5/16 twinwall lexan too for $105 or $2.19/sqft.

Sealing the ends so you end up with dead dry air space inside the panel is important for insulating purposes.
And to prevent fogging and condensation showing up inside the panel.
DoubleO7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2017, 04:09 PM   #6
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: BC-MT
Posts: 6
Year: 1983
Engine: 427 Chevy BB
Just wondered if you pulled the trigger on this and how'd it work out?
Mcfly175 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2017, 08:18 AM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 105
My Dad had done this on some huge used bay windows he installed in his house years ago.
He used the peel and stick foam insulation between the glass and the lexan and he just used screws with rubber washers to screw them on. He removed them in the winter to increase their lifespan. These windows were over looking the back yard and we never had curtains on them. I remember watching the birds and drinking coffee and the view remained clear for at least ten years.The tint should help with the deterioration.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
Gypsy Clipper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2017, 08:27 AM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
mmoore6856's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: arkensas
Posts: 1,076
Year: 1997
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 3116 catapillar
Rated Cap: 71 now 2 humans 1 cat
windows are a big insulation problem remove all you can
mmoore6856 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2017, 08:56 AM   #9
Traveling
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmoore6856 View Post
windows are a big insulation problem remove all you can
So, to take what you are saying to an extreme...

My bus (bookmobile) has almost no windows, except 1 in back wall (escape) and 2- 18" sq in side wanderlodge door. And legal driver/pass side window, Flat schnoz.

I am having a hard time adding holes to the beautifully intact spray-foamed walls for windows. I was thinking of just adding a few HD exterior cameras and a bigscreen to view scenery. Just an idea.
Rusty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2017, 08:59 AM   #10
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 105
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty View Post
So, to take what you are saying to an extreme...

My bus (bookmobile) has almost no windows, except 1 in back wall (escape) and 2- 18" sq in side wanderlodge door. And legal driver/pass side window, Flat schnoz.

I am having a hard time adding holes to the beautifully intact spray-foamed walls for windows. I was thinking of just adding a few HD exterior cameras and a bigscreen to view scenery. Just an idea.
I'd go with the cameras too. If you want the view sit outside and be social or my personal preference stay inside and be antisocial.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
Gypsy Clipper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2017, 09:09 AM   #11
Traveling
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gypsy Clipper View Post
I'd go with the cameras too. If you want the view sit outside and be social or my personal preference stay inside and be antisocial.
Peepholes. A dozen peepholes scattered-around that let you see outside, but don't let thermal transfer.
Rusty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2017, 10:33 AM   #12
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 105
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty View Post
Peepholes. A dozen peepholes scattered-around that let you see outside, but don't let thermal transfer.
And a couple to stick the cannons out of for added protection from annoying neighbors.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk
Gypsy Clipper is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.