I had a sailmaker produce some curved window insulators and protectors. They are made of two layers of heavy duty canvas as used in boat canopies, with half inch thick heavy foam between the layers. They are fitted when required with stainless steel "lift-a-dot" fasteners. They make a great difference to comfort on cold evenings, and protect the windows when travelling. We are very pleased with them. The tricky part was producing a 3-dimensional paper template to give to the sailmaker.
Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
I really like this idea. Looks nice.
If you don't mind my asking, how much the set cost you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickcrowhurst
I had a sailmaker produce some curved window insulators and protectors. They are made of two layers of heavy duty canvas as used in boat canopies, with half inch thick heavy foam between the layers. They are fitted when required with stainless steel "lift-a-dot" fasteners. They make a great difference to comfort on cold evenings, and protect the windows when travelling. We are very pleased with them. The tricky part was producing a 3-dimensional paper template to give to the sailmaker.
Nick.
It was about six years ago at home in the UK, and I can only guess at about $50. I made the paper pattern and had the covers made as envelopes with the inner vertical edge left open with Velcro (Hook & loop) tape as a closure so that I could fit the foam in the envelopes in the USA after bringing the covers across in the aircraft. We didn't attempt to sew the covers ourselves as our sewing machines can't handle the thickness of layers of that heavy material.
Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
I'm not sure the silver material would offer enough protection against stones when travelling. For that reason I used similar dense foam to that used in camping sleeping mats. We use the folding silver material for car windscreens on all the other windows at night in cold weather. They are cut and shaped to be a press fit into the window insets. This all makes a huge difference to comfort. In hot weather we would not fit the grey protectors for the curved windows.
Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
Instead of the tricky work of trying to make an accurate paper pattern, could we not just cover the windows with a lightweight canvas and trace the outline as a pattern for the heavier canvas final product?
Sergei, I used newspaper as it's free. Thin canvas might be harder to use as folding the pleats and copying the perimeter of the window might be less accurate. You can use masking tape to hold the paper to the bottom and both sides, after cutting to shape. Rub a dirty finger on the paper round the perimeter to transfer the outline of the window to the paper to get the outline, cut to shape, tape to the perimeter and then carefully cut two vertical lines down from the top in two places. The cuts will need to go about a third of the way down. Then slide the paper on one side of each cut across the other side until the slack disappears, and then tape the overlaps in position. If you enlarge the photo by clicking on it you can see one of the pleats that the sailmaker used to copy the pattern.
Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
Nick - Hi there. You have done exactly what I want to do w/our Argosy Minuet. I am looking to use a vinyl coated polyester or possibly a material called Kartex which was listed on a website as being used on airplane windshields. I'm also looking at using something called a surface Twistlock which I think might be good here during windy conditions. I was wondering if you might still have your template? Or if there is a way to copy it. I would be happy to pay you something for a copy/postage? I have decided that we don't really like the rock guards because they inhibit being able to see thru the trailer. The idea of leaving out the middle to me looks awkward. I started thinking about using a padded material on just the curved windows after looking at some custom made window covers for motor homes. I think yours look great. I'll keep my fingers crossed about your template. Thanks.
Ps I don't see your pleats/darts that smooth the curves in your pic? Also, how many snaps did it take for each window - 4,6,8? Thanks.
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Leigh (IB Aluminated)
"When a great ship is in harbour and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for." by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, author of ‘Women Who Run With the Wolves’
Last edited by COArgosy78; 06-27-2009 at 07:06 PM.
Reason: more questions
Sorry, but I didn't keep the paper template. You will see some directions in the thread at post 8 above for making your own out of paper. The simplest way is to tape thin newspaper tightly over the window along the base and both sides, leaving the top loose and ill-fitting. Then fold the pleats along the top edge to take out the slack, and then tape the pleats to preserve them. We found that two pleats, as described, did the trick.We use four press studs, one at each corner. If you click on the photo in the first post you will see the studs at the front corners. One of the darts (pleats in the template) is visible in the photo if you click on it to enlarge it. The dart is at the top, about half way along the visible part, and it comes down about 6 inches. We used two pleats on each template, both on the top edge, coming vertically down, about a third of the way in from each end. We used the boat spray-hood canvas rather than a plastic material, as it is suitable for sewing, it doesn't sweat, it doesn't crack, stands up to extremes of weather, and maintains its appearance over many years. A neat hem was added all round. to prevent fraying and for good appearance. Good luck with the project. Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
Nick - thanks for the reply. I did enlarge the pic & that helped to see! I think you mentioned that you keep these on during travel for protection? Do you feel the 4 snaps do the job w/high wind? Would you have added more now if you could? Also, we don't have a nice shelter for ours - I'm wondering if the canvas would mildew if left out in the elements much? We had a canvas tent a long time ago which mildewed & I could not sleep in it Several of the materials that I am looking at are mildew/water resistant (like Sunbrella is, but not as expensive). The one used in the manufacture of the window protectors for those motorhomes is woven. I did talk to an upholsterer while waiting for your reply. They do boat,car,rv covers so should have the machine to do the job. Anxious to get cost. One last thing, do you ever take the foam out or is it lodged inside pretty tight?
Thanks for your help on this.
__________________
Leigh (IB Aluminated)
"When a great ship is in harbour and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for." by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, author of ‘Women Who Run With the Wolves’
You won't need more than four of the lift-a-dots: Handi-Man Lift A Dot Canvas Fastener Kit HP811 - HP811 - BoatersWorld.com
We never remove the foam from inside the covers, although the opening at the inner end is stitch & loop to enable their removal. I would not leave any external fabric window cover on when the trailer is stored for long periods, because of degredation, and dampness under the covers. They are for protection from stones when travelling, and for warmth in cold weather when camping. Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
I am getting pretty jazzed about this project. I have found a material called Phifextex that is mildew resistant and is being used to make Motorhome window coverings that stay on and can be seen thru - but have a sunscreen of 85%. Next, I think I will use the twist-lock fasteners (but will ck out the lift a dot). Main thing is that they stay on during high wind conditions. Lastly, I have discovered a foam called reticulated foam to put between layers. Water runs right thru it, so I feel strongly that I can leave it in even if the trailer is out in elements like ours must be at this time. I really want to feel those windows will be protected more during something like a hailstorm. (I wish the whole trailer was covered). Going to try to put some pics on to give idea of material. I really like this plan as we will be getting sunblock for interior, protection from hazards on the outside, we will still be able to see thru trailer and, I hope, it won't be nearly as costly as the rockguards. Everything I could ask for, I think. What do you guys think....
Looking Through Sunguard™ Windshield Covers Without Sunguard protection, you are open to UV damage to your RV's interior. There is glare and you lack privacy. -------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR MOST POPULAR Hi-Density 94% Sunscreen. 16 oz. per square yard 100% vinyl-coated polyester 42 x 12 weaves per square inch mildew resistant.*
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Standard 85% Sunscreen. 11 oz. per square yard 100% vinyl-coated polyester 17 x 11 weaves per square inch mildew resistant.*
__________________
Leigh (IB Aluminated)
"When a great ship is in harbour and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for." by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, author of ‘Women Who Run With the Wolves’
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. I'll keep my fingers crossed about your template. Thanks.
Several of the materials that I am looking at are mildew/water resistant (like Sunbrella is, but not as expensive). The one used in the manufacture of the window protectors for those motorhomes is woven. I did talk to an upholsterer while waiting for your reply. They do boat,car,rv covers so should have the machine to do the job. Anxious to get cost. One last thing, do you ever take the foam out or is it lodged inside pretty tight? 
. Everything I could ask for, I think. What do you guys think....
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