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BobsYourUncle's avatar
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Dec 11, 2013

RV Windows. Dual AND Thermal Break. Do they make them?

I have been doing all kinds of research on double glazed RV windows.

Yes we all know we can get them, even though the airspace is only 1/4" or so.

But the big thing that is very important is the frames. The solid aluminum frames are brutal in cold weather. Don't need the fridge - just pack your food around the inside of the windows!!

Tomorrow will be one month on the road in my TT with the cruddy old single windows. I have packed thin foam insulation around them and all that but the frames are like a giant AC unit, radiating cold inside. Keeping the blinds shut helps a bit but....

I cannot find even one single bit of info on thermally broken RV windows. They make them for stick n bricks, lots of them, but RV's? doesn't seem to be any. I install a ton of T-break products on houses, but nothing for RV's

Even if they made the frames in vinyl instead of aluminum, but again, no info on that either.

These windows are nasty, really nasty. Cakes of ice all over them.

I know it is fluctuating from minus 32C to minus 10 or so but surely someone out there makes a decent RV window for cold weather.

Have any of you seen a thermally broken RV window? Or have any info on it? I can't find anything.

11 Replies

  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Dec 13, 2013
    westend wrote:
    If you could make a removable storm window, you'd be set. The way I see most of them built, it may be easier to make an insert to fit the inside.
    My MH came with a screen that would slide over the open window to keep bugs out. I removed it years ago but thought about using the screen as a template and cutting and installing Plexiglas or Lexan storm windows, that would use the same track as the screen. My other thought was to paint the outside frame with a rubber material like the truck bed-liner to insulate the frame.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    westend wrote:
    If you could make a removable storm window, you'd be set. The way I see most of them built, it may be easier to make an insert to fit the inside.


    a few years back I remember some manufacturers selling these as an option. personally a better idea than dual pain ones.
    bumpy
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    If you could make a removable storm window, you'd be set. The way I see most of them built, it may be easier to make an insert to fit the inside.
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    Dec 12, 2013
    weathershak wrote:
    If you dont mind losing daylight, cover your windows on the outside. I used foam board to cover the outside. The window awning will hold the board in place. It made a major difference. It takes me about a minute to remove and install them for travel purposes. I even have some across the windshield. It doesnt look bad either, no complaints from neighbors.


    I thought about putting something on the outside but couldn't see a way to attach it without putting screws in. On the front, yes the awning will hold it, but on the rest?
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    I once owned a house with sliding windows set in those aluminum frames. I just got some 3/4 inch x 1/8 ? inch boards that I think were made to for screen molding, and glued them onto the inside of the aluminum. no more sweating, etc. and painted up they looked a lot better than the metal.
    bumpy
  • weathershak's avatar
    weathershak
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    If you dont mind losing daylight, cover your windows on the outside. I used foam board to cover the outside. The window awning will hold the board in place. It made a major difference. It takes me about a minute to remove and install them for travel purposes. I even have some across the windshield. It doesnt look bad either, no complaints from neighbors.
  • Shadow_Catcher's avatar
    Shadow_Catcher
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    There is always the shrink film double stick tape I use for the few OLD windows in our house.
  • Shadow_Catcher's avatar
    Shadow_Catcher
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    There is always the shrink film double stick tape I use for the few OLD windows in our house.
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    Dec 11, 2013
    westend wrote:
    Bob,
    Haven't seen any RV specific but haven't looked that much, either. I installed residential vinyl, Low E sliders in my rig. One of the better choices I made.


    Challenge is that most of our rigs have radiused corners.

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