Construction methods?

MFL wrote:
I agree, the noise reduction is an important feature. I have never had the dual panes, to compare.

I've had 4 different trailers, all with single pane.

The FW I have now, has a lot of windows, and I was expecting it to be noisier than my previous FW. It is not, but is actually much quieter inside! I am sure this has to do with the quality, of the single pane. The glass is thicker, and safety plate glass.

I can remember, with previous trailers, thinking I'd left a window open, due to the outside noise.

Jerry

I never really thought about different thickness/quality of glass being used in RV's, but it does make sense. Our 2008 FW had single pane just like out 2014. It seems to me that our 2014 windows don't fog up as quick. The only visible difference I can see is these new ones are frameless.

I agree, the noise reduction is an important feature. I have never had the dual panes, to compare.

I've had 4 different trailers, all with single pane.

The FW I have now, has a lot of windows, and I was expecting it to be noisier than my previous FW. It is not, but is actually much quieter inside! I am sure this has to do with the quality, of the single pane. The glass is thicker, and safety plate glass.

I can remember, with previous trailers, thinking I'd left a window open, due to the outside noise.

Jerry

I think the noise reduction and resale is enough to justify the cost. It's a feature driven industry - if its available as an option - why not.

NJRVer wrote:

retispcsi wrote:
The windows in my Mobile Suites are labeled Insulated Window. They get hot in the direct sun and probably cold in cold weather

Of course they do, they are glass.

Touch your wall in your house in the winter. Not cold? Maybe because depending on construction that wall could be R11 up to R22. or higher.

Touch your window in your house in the winter. Cold? Absolutely.
Depending on window in round numbers it could single pane(R1) or a triple pane (up to R6). See R6 is still cold because it isn't an insulated wall section, but a lot more efficient than R1.
An R2 in an RV double pane is roughly 100% more efficient than the R1 single pane.

My gripe with double panes is there is no savings. In your house double panes provide savings by reducing energy cost.
However in an RV there is no savings.
I don't camp in extreme cold to benefit from reduced LP consumption,
I also use electric heaters to reduce my LP consumption as well.For the most part savings due to reduced LP consumption is minimal.
In the summer my electric is included in my site fees so I don't save on energy cost.
Dual panes are a $1500-$2000 option that provides little benefit other than sound reduction.
While I camp frequently I am still just a weekend warrior, if I full timed or Snow Birded I may have a different opinion.

Dayle1 wrote:
Really think that there are only three types of sidewall construction, vacuum bonded, pinch rolled and hung wall. All work, otherwise they wouldn't use them. While mine is the latter, my opinion is vacuum bonded is the best and most expensive since it requires a large chamber and considerable time to pump down the vacuum. Big issue with this type of construction is difficulty routing wires, etc., so maybe fewer outlets and maybe not too well placed as wires may be routed thru cabinets and interior walls. Anyway, vacuum bonded walls are less likely to have ripples/waves in the exterior skin and a more solid sound. But they may have less tolerance to flexing (could be good or bad) and if they have serious delamination, the entire wall has to be replaced. Same for pinch rolled walls. With hung wall construction, the exterior skin can be removed from the aluminum studs and a new skin installed.

Dual pane windows are worth the money in comfort, noise reduction and at resale. Energy savings also, but mostly if you use a lot of propane and hate the effort of refilling bottles. They add very little weight, seems like around 60 lbs.

I don't want to correct you, but vacuum bonded walls have plenty of ripples, just by nature of the vacuuming process. Removing air from an object (vacuum) isn't the smartest way to make a RV wall.

retispcsi wrote:
The windows in my Mobile Suites are labeled Insulated Window. They get hot in the direct sun and probably cold in cold weather

Of course they do, they are glass.

Touch your wall in your house in the winter. Not cold? Maybe because depending on construction that wall could be R11 up to R22. or higher.

Touch your window in your house in the winter. Cold? Absolutely.
Depending on window in round numbers it could single pane(R1) or a triple pane (up to R6). See R6 is still cold because it isn't an insulated wall section, but a lot more efficient than R1.
An R2 in an RV double pane is roughly 100% more efficient than the R1 single pane.

The windows in my Mobile Suites are labeled Insulated Window. They get hot in the direct sun and probably cold in cold weather. I can't tell you with any certainty how good they are at heat or cold. But I know they are a whole lot better then the single pane windows on my previous Cedar Creek. Also I will tell you they sure help with reducing outside noise Now as far as aluminum frame vs. wood frame. They area both ok. Excel who by the way is manufacturing NuWa units use wood framing. I did a factory tour and they build a really good product. The wood is heavier then aluminum. Vacuum bond and laminating are only as good as the manufacturer that makes it. Go onto any RV lot and look at the laminated units with ripples in their skin. I do like the hung wall it makes a nicer wall for running wires etc. this is a personal choice. My Mobile Suites has hung walls as did my Cedar Creek. Also a hung wall is easier to repair.

We have the Kinro dual glass 3000 series frameless windows. I'm sure they aren't high end insulated windows, but it's sure nice not to experience frosting on the inside, touching cold glass, and the noise reduction is incredible.

C-Bears wrote:
Unless something has changed in the last year or two, the RV dual pane windows are not exactly what some may think they are.

If you have had newer windows on a residence, generally speaking you have had two pieces of glass with a certain amount of space between. This space, depending on quality of window, will be filled with argon or something else. If it reaches a certain level it can be an "Energy Star Certified" window and have a huge R value.

The RV dual pane is not a "sealed" unit and has no gas in between the panes. It will be an aluminum frame. It will insulate and same as a single pane window in an old residence with a cheap aluminum storm window screwed to it.

I am not saying dual pane windows in RV's don't help insulate better, because they do. Just don't pay all that money for them and expect them to perform like a high quality sealed unit in your residence.

a great post providing insight on dual Pain windows. check the posts on having to replace/fix them. I'd prefer a nice heavy drape myself.
bumpy

Unless something has changed in the last year or two, the RV dual pane windows are not exactly what some may think they are.

If you have had newer windows on a residence, generally speaking you have had two pieces of glass with a certain amount of space between. This space, depending on quality of window, will be filled with argon or something else. If it reaches a certain level it can be an "Energy Star Certified" window and have a huge R value.

The RV dual pane is not a "sealed" unit and has no gas in between the panes. It will be an aluminum frame. It will insulate and same as a single pane window in an old residence with a cheap aluminum storm window screwed to it.

I am not saying dual pane windows in RV's don't help insulate better, because they do. Just don't pay all that money for them and expect them to perform like a high quality sealed unit in your residence.