Visit our Popular Forums

smily · 09-25-2002, 08:43 AM

I read somewhere on line about making a Storm door out of Lexan or plexiglass.

I took on the challenge and this is what I have.

I made this so it is removable by placing heavy duty velcro around the edges. There are two panels, one on the lower and one on the upper sections of the screen door.

We can now see through our door and not worry about the AC cooling the outdoors. It is a nice way to see who is at the door or walking by and it is a little warmer to your neighbors

Cost about 50 dollars for lexan and velcro.....

Smily

BobbyW · 09-25-2002, 09:05 AM

Excellent tip and what a simple improvement. Thanks for sharing it with everybody and the Photo is a real +plus+.

This is what the AirstreamForums is all about!!

-BobbyWright

Inland RV Center, In · 09-25-2002, 10:55 AM

Smily.

GREAT IDEA.

I could make them available as kits, but, I would suggest "solar gray" as opposed to clear. Still can see throught it from the inside, during the day, but much harder to see through it from the outside, during the day.
Solar gray blocks more heat from the sun than clear.

I'll check it out and report back.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

smily · 09-25-2002, 11:10 AM

I did not think of solar lexan. I did not know they made the stuff but since it is a little late for me, I believe I will put some window tint on it. Thanks for the tip.

Smily

uwe · 09-25-2002, 03:16 PM

Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

cmgirdwood · 09-26-2002, 05:59 AM

My husband did the same thing to our trailer screen door about 5 years ago. The part I like most is it lets in the light. As we don't have vista-view windows and they didn't make skylights in the 1970's, it would get way to dark if you wanted to run either furnace or airconditioner. Also with the door closed no one knew you were home. When we bought the motorhome it was one of the first things he tackled. We didn't use velcro though, just the flip toggles. It is a pretty retro-fit among residents in our Airstream Park, which is kinda like living in the Airstream Forom.

scf31 · 03-14-2005, 04:52 AM

How thick was the plexaglass or did you use Lexan with the velcro,also how did ya cut it,thanks

smily · 03-14-2005, 07:16 AM

1/8" to a 1/4"

I cut mine with a Laminate knife. I hav also cut plexiglas with a skill saw and a fine tooth blade.

Tarheel · 03-14-2005, 07:59 AM

Several of us in the Tidewater unit have the plexiglass installed. We held them in with vinyl floor threshold cut into small pieces and screwed into place. The plexiglass was 0.090 thick easy to take out and put in, one word of caution the door will fly open in moderate to heavy winds and the panels will crack when slammed into the door. On the plus side you can have the door open and enjoy the AC in the summer.