Cost of building vs. buying doors, and window questions

[Little Foot]

Hey guys! Thanks for the replies and advice. Honestly, I'm not sure about these wiley windows. I have read about them previously, and even saw the link that rowerwet posted above. But they seem like they are not very polished or clean looking, at least to me, and it seems like they take up extra room inside the camper. I also know I don't want to use plexiglass as I'm sure over time it will scratch over time. Is this really the style of window that most people use in their doors if they build the doors?

[Graniterich]

I have used both, home built with wiley and windows that are hinged on the top. The vt doors will not leak with windows closed. However, of the eight plus I purchased, there have been minor quality issues. Minor paint issues, molding loose, some are hard to close (need to lean on it) push pretty hard. One opened coming home from a show, I think I need to lube mechanism? Dead bolt was not locked. Please don't blast me, just trying to help. They open from the bottom to allow air to flow in and out the roof vent if you have one. I personally don't like that, bedding is right there.

Homemade doors are work, but look nice especially on woodies. It is more difficult to make water tight in a car wash / driving rain storm. Really not an issue in a drier climate, stored under cover. Use d type weather seal that collapses about a third.

[Graniterich]

Forgot, wiley windows will not leak when open by design. They do take up a few inches of interior space, and if you want them open completely, you must store glass panel somewhere. Choices, choices...

[daveesl77]

Besides the extreme ability to shed water, another advantage to the wiley window is that most have the insert made from plexi and not glass. That means that if and when they scratch, break or whatever you can go to a local home improvement store, buy another cheap piece of plastic and in many cases they will cut them to size for you. If they won't this stuff is very easy to work. With ours, we frosted the rear ones, since they are just barely above bed level, as we have a platform bed. This allows light and privacy. They don't have to take up a huge amount of room. Mine come in at the wide point maybe 4".

dave

[booyah]

I know when you are looking at all the options out there it will make you feel all

but the reason there are so many options, is they all work well.

I didnt do wiley windows and home built doors. Does that mean they dont work? absolutely not. there are MANY tears MUCH nicer than mine that use one or both of these things. Does that make home built doors and wiley windows the best way to go? for some sure, but not for me....

The reason all these options exist, is they all work!

Take heart in that, you're not doing it wrong, if you chose doing either

[booyah]

sorry to add again, one thing to consider on wiley windows. How do you want to incorporate screens.

My experiences in upstate NY have been similar to my MI experiences, where mosquitoes are voracious and omnipresent. My VT windows incorporate screens much like the windows in my home do, and go a long way to helping us keep our sanity

[Little Foot]

sorry to add again, one thing to consider on wiley windows. How do you want to incorporate screens.

My experiences in upstate NY have been similar to my MI experiences, where mosquitoes are voracious and omnipresent. My VT windows incorporate screens much like the windows in my home do, and go a long way to helping us keep our sanity

The bugs in the NY Adirondacks are absolutely Legendary! Skeeters, black flies that bite hard, little things that just annoy the heck out of you and more. They come in clouds at certain times of the year, and can seriously ruin a trip. And that being said, I am not squeamish about bugs at all, and they usually don't bother me, but there are certaint times of the year where they a absolutely unbearable. You literally can't even see through a swarm they are so thick. So, screens would be very important to me

So am I to understand that typically wiley windows do not incorporate a screen?

@Dave - that's a great tip about the plexi, but I have a lot of experience with plexi and acrylic building aquarium filter equipment, and I am pretty sure I do not want plexi. I know it scratches easily, and I just don think it will look as nice and professional as glass. But again, you guys have experience, and I'm just assuming things at this point. I'll keep your suggestion I mind.

I agree that there is definitely a certain esthetic charm to home made doors. And, I like how I could build them a little larger than the premade doors, that especially appeals to me. But at the same time I quite like the look of the premade doors, I think they have a nice, contemporary look. I'm very torn

[booyah]

So am I to understand that typically wiley windows do not incorporate a screen?

The implementations I have seen didnt, I'm sure you can, I just couldnt find a way to do it that made ME happy.

Lets be honest, its a screen, a staple gun and some vinyl window screen and I'm sure you can attach one. I just didnt see any with them, or with one in a way that made me happy

[booyah]

now I'm going to complicate things even more for you cause I'm such a nice guy....

Crank out windows!
http://teardroptrailerparts.com/18x15_C ... indow.html

they have a screen, they open their entire size (ie like wileys) they give you cover over themselves, so are less likely to let rain in, and they could be easily added!

These are what I was looking at for my TD when I was considering making my own doors.

[Little Foot]

Thank you. I have seen those windows on that site, and if I built my doors I am more likely go with something like that instead of the wiley windows. But before I decide on all this I'm going to really read about the wiley windows and look at some pictures. Yes, you can staple window screen over almost anything, but I really want something that looks neat, clean and close to professional, and, of course, functional. So much to think about, and this is really just one small facet of the build!

[Graniterich]

Those were the windows I used, really like them.
As for wiley screens, It was election season , so I grabbed some of the coragated plastic signs, cut a frame the size of the windows and glued screen to it. Viola, screen inserts for free

[Little Foot]

Those were the windows I used, really like them.
As for wiley screens, It was election season , so I grabbed some of the coragated plastic signs, cut a frame the size of the windows and glued screen to it. Viola, screen inserts for free

Did you use that screen over these crank out windows? I had thought those windows came with screens. Thanks, Graniterich!

[Graniterich]

Crank windows do have screens, the ones I made were for a different trailer that had wiley windows

[Little Foot]

Ah, thank you! But you'd recommend those crank out windows if I choose to build my doors?

[Graniterich]

Yes, easy to install look and work well. Be aware that because the windows open out, the doors can't open all the way flat against trailer when open. I put a strap on door to to prevent that from happening