Round or octagonal windows that open

[misterW]

I had been hoping to have a round or octagonal window in my trailer. House windows are too thick for my 3/4" walls. I haven't come across round or octagonal RV windows -- do such things exist?

Making my own would be pretty easy if I didn't want them to open, but I am a little nervous about introducing new potential areas of leakage.

I have seen pictures of numerous trailers with round windows, but I am not sure if they open.

So where does one get windows of this nature? Or is making custom ones the only way to do it?

[rbeemer]

look into marine stores because they use round windows(portaholes) on boats and ships

[halfdome, Danny]

I've seen two examples of home built round windows using a round baking pan with the bottom removed for the frame to hold the Plexiglas.

One hinged the Plexiglas window at the top. For privacy they use round plugs.

Another teardrop in our group has round brass nautical windows, they look great, but they aren't cheap. Danny

[Kevin & Sandy]

Search for "porthole" on Ebay, quite a few out there, maybe you'll see something you like.

The few I looked at seemed like they would install and seal up okay. A friend of mine bought an old brass one for another application, works great.

[Woodbutcher]

I searched high and low for a round window that opened. I found a few marine windows but the cost and weight was way to much. I did find some 12" round windows on Ebay that do not open for a good price. I adjusted my plan and used larger door windows to get more air inside. I show them in my build journal , search "Club Car" in the build section . That is my current project.

[bobhenry]

Kinda sets a guy to thinking out side the box HUH ?

[cuyeda]

I had been hoping to have a round or octagonal window in my trailer. House windows are too thick for my 3/4" walls. I haven't come across round or octagonal RV windows -- do such things exist?

Making my own would be pretty easy if I didn't want them to open, but I am a little nervous about introducing new potential areas of leakage.

I have seen pictures of numerous trailers with round windows, but I am not sure if they open.

So where does one get windows of this nature? Or is making custom ones the only way to do it?

There are rubber window seals with a lock strip, normally used in the auto industry. With some creative thinking, this may help you adapt for a round window installation. The images are protected on this site, so I couldn't post a sample picture.

Check this sample website for a pictorial reference.

http://www.hitechglazing.com/catalog/40008

I plan to use this in the future for one of my trailers.

Or, you could ask Mike how he did his round windows.


http://www.mikenchell.com/Generic_ET_Photo_Album/slides/IMG_3268.html

[misterW]

After checking out the porthole route, it seems they come in two varieties: (1) actual portholes for boats which are awesome but way beyond my financial means, and (2) portholes that are sold primarily for decorative use and are way cheaper.

The decorative portholes seem like they might work for me, though. They are aluminum, brass, or iron; they open and close.... seems like I could drill some holes for attachment, rig up some kind of seal... After all, doesn't have to withstand waves or anything.

[john]

Not all portholes are round. I had a fourth like the three below that I considered using for the door only mounted vertically. These can sometimes be found at reduced prices as they are often product specific. I found the four below being sold in one sale on ebay for less than $80.

[angib]

A while ago I posted a design of 'hopper' window and this can be used for any shape opening as the 'glass' isn't the same shape:

Home-made Window Method



The illustrations for this went missing when teardrops.us was closed, so I've reloaded them.

[cuyeda]

Nice work Angib! While in my dad's backyard, I came across a stack of glass from VW rear windows. While I have a long list of what would be fun to do in a build, your design presents a basic solution. Thanks for reposting it.

I have admired this more challenging install. Using the entire metal window frame, and yes a couple VW's in my dad's backyard to cut from! Er, uh, one of these days.

[danlott]

Here is a link to some round windows that open. Should be able to order them and get them shipped to the US.

http://www.reimo.com/en/D-accessories/DU-windows_accessories/DUI-bulleye_windows/



Here is also another style.



Dan

[angib]

If it helps, 1 Euro (that is €1) is about $1.30 at present.

[Classic Finn]

That company Reimo will only sell via dealers.

Ive ordered from them for different things as well. And good quality.
They also have a huge variety of products. I can contact them and ask if they will ship to the USA.

[Deryk the Pirate]

Hey Just checked ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/11-PORTHOLE-WINDOW- ... 483f0a0de5