Installing windows?

[Scott H.]

Hi all,
Since nobody seemed able to answer my question about where to find obsolete aluminum siding patterns, I'm starting to investigate other options. Just out of curiousity, how would one go about installing and sealing a window in a teardrop that's sided with stamped (IE corrugated) aluminum? I wouldn't mind having a small window, and that would give me enough spare material to fix the rotted out corner.

If it were flat sided there wouldn't be a problem, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how the window seal would fit and seal over all the dips/peaks. Do they make special seals, or do people make some kind of flat transition? Sorry if it seems like a simple question... I don't have anything nearby to look at or compare to.

Thanks

[Midget]

Scott,

How deep is the aluminum pattern? When skinning a trailer with aluminum that has a pattern, we use butyl putty. The pattern on the aluminum is only about 1/8 inch deep so when the window is screwed down, it flattens the skin flat. Is this something similiar to what you're doing?

Bob

[grant whipp]

Hey, Scott!

Where did you post your question about obsolete siding patterns (they're called "mesas" in the industry)? I didn't see it or I would have suggested that you look up what's available from All-Rite Aluminum - http://www.all-rite.com - specifically http://www.all-rite.com/48-aluminum-p-53.html ... they don't show all the different mesas they offer, but if you know the name or can send them a picture, I'm sure they can let you know one way or another.

Bob's right about the putty tape and mesa'd siding ... only it's called RV Putty Tape, not butyl (there's a significant difference!). When the mesa was rather deep and/or radical, I always doubled up on the putty tape. BTW ... get either the grey or black putty tape, stay way away from the white or off-white!

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

[Scott H.]

Thanks for the response guys.

Bob, the pattern looks pretty deep. I haven't picked the trailer up yet (involves a 1400 mi road trip that I won't have time for for a few more weeks) so I haven't measured it, but I'd say it's in the 1/4" to 3/8" range. Too deep and squared off to just flatten out under the window.

Grant, I posted the original question and a photo of the siding itself in the Skinning Secrets section.... I thought Mesa was a particular pattern and not a catch all term. Anyway, it looks similar to what I've seen called a 1" mesa pattern on some of the sites, but it's a 3/4" pattern. (Oh, and by the way, I checked out all rite... Didn't see anything that matched what I need, but if they don't show all the choices, maybe its worth a phone call or an email.)

I guess one similar note that I should have asked is where to shop for windows as well... I've been a wrench turner my whole life, but RV'ing in any form is fairly new to me so I don't know where to look for parts.

Thanks again.

[grant whipp]

Hey, Scott!

I see what you have, now, and can tell you that All-Rite does NOT have that mesa ... that one is pretty rare, even for its time. Most "mesas" are rolled into the aluminum sheet with machines with adjustable roller dies ... it'll take a pretty accomplished sheet-metal person to replicate what you have.

Re: windows ... I have some at http://www.LilBear.teardrops.net ... so do several other suppliers like Vintage Technologies, RW Johnson, Teardrop Fix-It Shop, and others ... there's also eBay and Craig'slist and RV Salvage Yards ... but it really depends on what kind and style of window you are after. If I can help, just let me know ... I'm happy to assist any way I can!

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

[Scott H.]

Thanks for the help Grant. Lack of availability of the skin was my biggest concern with this trailer, but I think the window installation to get a patch panel will work. I'll have to do some measuring to determine exactly what size works best. In the meantime I'll do some preliminary "window shopping" to see what's available.

Thanks again.

[Scott H.]

Oh and back to my original question... Considering the depth of the pattern, how would you suggest installing/sealing the window when I do it? My only thoughts are to either fill the gaps in the low areas of the mesa with sealant of one type or another, or fabricate some kind of pattern matching adapter to go between the window and the skin. I don't really like the first idea, but it may be the path of least resistance....

In reading your original posts, I got the feeling that the putty tape you were taking about went under the skin, but the more I think about it the more I'm thinking it's a sealant between the siding and the window... Is that right? Would it work with a pattern as deep as this one?

[nrody]

Hi Grant, Can you clarify the different application(s) of "putty tape" vs "butal tape"?
By the way I have two used sliding rv windows I plan on bringing to the IRG in July. Might trade them or put them in the raffle. They are from the overhead of a rv both right & left sides. I was going to use them in my tear and then went with something else.

[grant whipp]

Scott!

Yes, the putty tape goes between the window frame and the skin ... if you go with two layers as previously mentioned, it'll squeeze out on the high side of the mesa and fill in the low part of the mesa. It wouldn't hurt to "flatten" the high parts with a hammer a bit, just where the window frames will go (and hide the hammer marks).


Nancy!

The RV Putty Tape is what should be used under nearly all RV-type (with the vinyl insert) Roof Edge Moldings, rooftop vents, and most windows that do not already have a seal ... this stuff is very pliable and squeezes out nicely, and the squeeze-out is easily trimmed with a dull putty knife. Butyl Tape is very stiff and does NOT squeeze down easily at all, except under the heavier moldings and door/window frames, and can only be trimmed with a sharp razor knife. Some older RVs also used the Putty Tape under the J-Rail/Drip-Molding around the perimeters, and under the awning rails ... it is especially forgiving if the surface underneath is uneven, like when they bend the slight roof overhang over the wall edges and cover that with the J-rail/Drip-Molding. I don't normally recommend the Putty Tape under the traditional Regular Roof Edge Molding, as it is a fairly light extrusion ... I typically use latex caulk in that instance.

Hope that helps! As always ...

CHEERS!

[nrody]

That helps a bunch. See you at the IRG