Home Made Windows

[jhb]

...If two people think of something at the same time it must be logical.

Either that or they are both nuts!
Actually, at one point in the build I was looking at all this cool $tuff on line, but thought, what the heck, if I can't build it out of what I can buy at my local hardware stores it doesn't go in the trailer. Of course, I already had all the stuff I really wanted that couldn't be bought locally...

[Deryk the Pirate]

Dont know, maybe I just got lucky but I hit a local place that does custom sheds and asked if they had the crank out style windows. He found they had 3 brand new but dusty ones. 1 was damaged but the other 2 were fine got them for $20 each and for less then $6 I got 2 cranks to replace the thin plastic ones that came with the windows. They didnt come with screens, so I will make them. For the price I cant complain since being unemployed Im trying to do this as inexpensively as possible.

[StandUpGuy]

On the slider idea I was at Lowes and saw a plastic "U" channel for edging plastic latice. Has a 1/4" gap. Inexpensive comes in grey, white and beige. How about run two channels side by side. Put a plexi piece on either side with an overlap. Then cut a lenth of the "U" chennel as tall as the opening and glue it on the two exposed edges of the plexi. Fix one side in place.



By justoneman at 2011-04-02

[StandUpGuy]

Dont know, maybe I just got lucky but I hit a local place that does custom sheds and asked if they had the crank out style windows. He found they had 3 brand new but dusty ones. 1 was damaged but the other 2 were fine got them for $20 each and for less then $6 I got 2 cranks to replace the thin plastic ones that came with the windows. They didnt come with screens, so I will make them. For the price I cant complain since being unemployed Im trying to do this as inexpensively as possible.

Generally people are lucky because they try.

[jhb]

I think StandUpGuy is having entirely too much fun designing his own windows to want to pay just $40 for windows...but when you are out of work $40 can be a lot of money.

[StandUpGuy]

I think StandUpGuy is having entirely too much fun designing his own windows to want to pay just $40 for windows...but when you are out of work $40 can be a lot of money.

Hey I have a job! I am having fun trying to figure on a good window solution. Heck 1/4 of the threads here involve windows it seems.

Actually I have taken the suggestion of the camper truck cap idea and hope to look at one tomorrow.

[StandUpGuy]

OK I have it. Simply frame out the window opening with small aluminum "L" channel. Make a removable window held in by little screen window hold downs and then make a screen to replace it the same size. If you make a slot to accept the windows or screens built into the couch or cabinet what could be easier or cheaper?

[StandUpGuy]

I agree, windows are high $$$. I was considering making my own as well, great that you posted this. I couldn't find anything on "home made" windows when I was searching. Might even be a good sticky if we can come up with enough ideas. You have some good thoughts on building windows from "scratch", I hope more folks chime in on this.

I found an old camper shell with crank out windows (drove past it for years) for free, come get it. There were 2 windows on each side, made up to be one big window.
....

I scanned the local Craig's list ads for a week and ended up finding an old camper top for very cheap and bought it. It has some nice luggage rails on top with some hardware, that I can make good use of as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

[rowerwet]

these are what I got for my windows I plan on fabricating some "eyebrows" for them for rain and putting them in from the inside with screen on the outside
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/ha ... /index.htm

[WhitneyK]

Now that I have cut down my old camper shell windows to the size I wanted, my good friend / nieghbor brought me over 2 NEW crank out windows the same size. He had them layin' around. Go figure, but that's OK, I'll use 'em!

[rdraider]

Whitney,

Did you ever find a place for the gaskets on those. I recently found 2 of those crank out style windows, at rummage store for $10.00 for both. Both windows are broken, seals are gone, they need to be rebuilt. I'm in the process of starting a slide in camper for a truck. Getting new cranks in the morning.

Anybody have any suggestions.

[artfd]

Consider separating the function of glass in your window (to see out & to let light in) from the ventilation function. Make your windows simply acrylic glued / caulked to the inside of the skin, then put your air vents where they will do the most ventilating. When you are not trying to design a see-through air vent, things get much simpler.

[aggie79]

Whitney,

Did you ever find a place for the gaskets on those. I recently found 2 of those crank out style windows, at rummage store for $10.00 for both. Both windows are broken, seals are gone, they need to be rebuilt. I'm in the process of starting a slide in camper for a truck. Getting new cranks in the morning.

Anybody have any suggestions.

Try Vintage Trailer Supply:

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Windows_s/126.htm

[StandUpGuy]

Consider separating the function of glass in your window (to see out & to let light in) from the ventilation function. Make your windows simply acrylic glued / caulked to the inside of the skin, then put your air vents where they will do the most ventilating. When you are not trying to design a see-through air vent, things get much simpler.

You make a very good point. People are creatures of habit and our houses have opening windows so we expect the same of our home away from home. This same mentaility is what leads to building trailers like house with house construction methods.

[rowerwet]

check my WWW for some really cheap air vents