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Gaël · 03-06-2014, 02:01 PM

Hello

On my Overlander, there are plexiglas insteed original windows...

For you, what is the better ? The windows or replace original windows by plexiglas ?

I think to put original windows is better...

What is your advices ?

Thank you !

Melody Ranch · 03-06-2014, 02:58 PM

Glass is much better. Some go with tempered glass....original was not tempered.

Inland RV Center, In · 03-06-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaël

Hello

On my Overlander, there are plexiglas insteed original windows...

For you, what is the better ? The windows or replace original windows by plexiglas ?

I think to put original windows is better...

What is your advices ?

Thank you !

Plexiglas cracks and crazes in the sun in as little as 30 days and becomes very brittle.

You can use double strength window, which was the original.

Or, and better yet, you can use Lexan, which is extremely tough.

Andy

Markj55 · 03-06-2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Plexiglas cracks and crazes in the sun in as little as 30 days and becomes very brittle.

You can use double strength window, which was the original.

Or, and better yet, you can use Lexan, which is extremely tough.

Andy

Andy, doesn't Lexan scratch too? And how spendy would that be for the full wrap around?
Thanks

Inland RV Center, In · 03-06-2014, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markj55

Andy, doesn't Lexan scratch too? And how spendy would that be for the full wrap around?
Thanks

If you get the Lexan with the AR-2 (abrasion resistant both sides) you can scrub it with steel wool and it will not scratch.

Or you can beat on it with a hammer, and not break it or dent it.

But I don't think I would try a "church key" on it.

Andy

Markj55 · 03-06-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

If you get the Lexan with the AR-2 (abrasion resistant both sides) you can scrub it with steel wool and it will not scratch.

Or you can beat on it with a hammer, and not break it or dent it.

But I don't think I would try a "church key" on it.

Andy

Any idea on cost plus installation?

**Stefrobrts** · 03-06-2014, 04:47 PM

I have had a plexi window in my trailer since I bought it 11 years ago, and it functions perfectly fine and nobody can tell it's not glass unless they tap on it, so I have left it alone.

dwightdi · 03-06-2014, 07:07 PM

Even the UV resistant Lexan will discolor orange and haze over in 15 years, if stored outdoors in moderate climate. Florida exposure will degrade faster. Look at the covered headlights on 10 year old cars. You can use abrasive kit to buff some of it off, but the optics will suffer. I put double strength window glass back in my 1963 flat windows, after a hail storm broke a couple of them,

Tim A. · 03-06-2014, 07:20 PM

Many RVs made in Europe have double pane plastic windows and they seem to survive without yellowing or crazing. I think most are acrylic (plexiglas). They offer a nice thermal barrier and, if they are available in the sizes suitable for the Overlander, might be an alternative.

Tim

Inland RV Center, In · 03-07-2014, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markj55

Any idea on cost plus installation?

Installation in what and by who?

Andy

Gaël · 03-07-2014, 09:48 AM

Thank you at all for your replies,

Many interresting answers...

If I understand correctly :

The original glass live very well through the years but it's fragile...and it haven't a really isolation rule...

The plexi seems have discolor through the years but have a better isolation

And the lexan product is more thick (have a better isolation) but may be have a discoloration during the years ?

The better solution is to have a good isolation without to change windows each 5 or 10 years...

Royce · 03-07-2014, 09:56 AM

I have a '77' Minuet that came original with acrylic sheet in the side windows. they had hazed over a bit. I polished them out and they look fine now. I replaced the front flat window with polycarbonate when it broke a few years ago. I still looks good but shows some very fine scratches when the light is coming from the side. It was sold as scratch resistant. Still I think the polycarbonate is a good choice for me. Just be prepared to polish from time to time.

Gaël · 03-07-2014, 10:17 AM

I agree with you Royce, you're reason,

The headlights from my car was bad the last year and I polished it with a special policarbonate product and it's better but not very clean...
I think that they were in a very bad condition, that's why I haven't had a good satisfaction

Plexi or Lexan... to be continued...

dwightdi · 03-10-2014, 12:22 AM

I would not consider the original glass windows fragile. The hailstorm the trailer went through completely destroyed (totaled) 4 of the 12 Airstream trailers we had at the Kieler, WI. Rally. I replaced the two windows the next week for $28. Our truck repair bill was $3,800. Given your situation, I would put glass windows back in the unit.

Gaël · 03-10-2014, 02:15 PM

Thank you but why I have to put glass windows if it's so fragile ? Why do you advize me for glass windows ?

You spent $28, it's the price for glass windows or polycarbonate ?

I've seen on a website that the Lexan (polycarbonate) looks like a light yellow color when the glass is thick.

The price is different according to the thickness.

What is the original thick please for 60' windows ?

Thank you

Inland RV Center, In · 03-10-2014, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaël

Thank you but why I have to put glass windows if it's so fragile ? Why do you advize me for glass windows ?

You spent $28, it's the price for glass windows or polycarbonate ?

I've seen on a website that the Lexan (polycarbonate) looks like a light yellow color when the glass is thick.

The price is different according to the thickness.

What is the original thick please for 60' windows ?

Thank you

The original glass used from the 1965 and older Airstream trailers was .125 (1/8 inch) double strength.

The Lexan we used never turned yellow, nor did it easily scratch.

Andy

overlander63 · 03-10-2014, 05:32 PM

Gael, the glass was just plain flat glass from the factory. I can't remember the thickness right now, but it is a standard thickness, though not metric. I replaced some windows in our '63 with regular glass, which is what was there, and all the glass, including cutting them, was less than $40. Regular plain glass is very inexpensive. Even if someone breaks every window in your trailer, it would cost less than 100 Euros to replace them all with glass.

Gaël · 03-13-2014, 02:36 PM

Thank you again for the information Andy and Terry.

It seems that regular glasses are cheapers, I thnik about it and I inform you on the solution which I took.

dwightdi · 03-13-2014, 04:02 PM

1/2 inch hail stone will not normally break the OEM glass in the windows. If you have acrylic (white or clear) sky lights they usually break during larger hail. I replace skylights with polycarbonate when they break. The replacement poly carb skylights that were on my 63 during the hailstorm at Kieler, WI. did not break. The $28 repair cost for the two windows was for only the regular replacement glass. I put them in the frames in a couple hours. Check the GE Lexan site to see how Lexan discolors and hazes over time, dependent on sunny exposure and latitude.

Tessmae · 03-14-2014, 07:17 AM

I'm so excited to be a part of this group! I've just purchased a"73" argosy and it was completely gutted. Just what I wS looking for

it is being transforming into a boutique and it's coming along very well! I do have a few questions to any of you that could help! I'm looking for some salvaged parts and here they are. Left side Window as of right now there is plexiglass and it look terrible

new a/c unit or cover for now! And any light fixtures.. Thanks for any help in advance! Here is a pic!