We are going to utilize Plexiglass in our windows to insulate. Its 20 x stronger than glass, flexible, and more insulating than glass (I guess almost anything would be). we are starting with one. And will cut them inside the inner radius and doing just a temporary stick-in with that rope caulk until we decide on how permanent we want them. BUT FOR NOW; it has been a pretty dramatic difference in temperature between the current window and now the plexiglass window. They come in thicker pieces too. Not cheap, but if you do them one at a time over time.... a little sweat on our part, but we save alot of money doing this and can always take them down. They don't weigh 150 lbs.or cost you $2000. for dual-pane windows. ??- Why Not- ??
Hi--been there, done that. As you have found, a dramatic difference! We did that too, but found the plexi a pain to put up and take down (we used magnetic tape on both surfaces) and then we had to store them when they were not being used (dirt, scratches, etc). We found that we prefer the shrink film type of storm windows that you apply with double-faced tape and shrink with a hair dryer. Same dramatic difference when installed, easier to put up and take down and no storage problems. Once they are up and shrunk tight, you don't even know they are there!
I use 1 and a half inch styrofoam inserts in the roof vents in both cooler and very warm weather. The roof vent openings are tapered. I have a strip of duct tape over the top and hanging down the sides of the foam for easy removal from the opening.
Dennis & Melody
2004 27 FT HR Savoy
2000 GMC 1/2t Std Cab short box
NOMADS
The last few times we were out, we had freezing temps at night. We found that hanging towels over the windows made a big difference and started talking about what it would take to do what you are talking about.
I've used the shrink to fit type in a house and they really work great. I just don't want to put the tape on. I'm also worried about the effect of condensation over a longer period.
As a temporary solution I tried the same thing with Glad press and seal wrap. It's not clear or as taunt but it adds a air boundary and stops drafts. I had to preconnect multiple sheets for large windows but it sticks well and only takes seconds to pull it off the next day when it warms up.
Not pretty, not permanent, not clear but it does let light in well.
JinD
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2007/2003 Ford Expedition
Nights camped in 2011 21
Nights camped in 2012 16
chast wrote: Hi--been there, done that. As you have found, a dramatic difference! We did that too, but found the plexi a pain to put up and take down (we used magnetic tape on both surfaces) and then we had to store them when they were not being used (dirt, scratches, etc). We found that we prefer the shrink film type of storm windows that you apply with double-faced tape and shrink with a hair dryer. Same dramatic difference when installed, easier to put up and take down and no storage problems. Once they are up and shrunk tight, you don't even know they are there!
Ditto.
Our film install is still going strong after 4 years. Cheap too.
LSU Tiger Fan
Retired U.S. Air Force
Pretty good Cajun Cook
Fair Skeet Shooter
Over-the-Hill Skiier
NASCAR Bum
One Lovely Wife
Two Ugly Sons
Six Beautiful Grandkids
One Lucky Dog
At the moment I'm on the shrink film setup and thinking of making storms. I just completed last weekend getting all the windows wrapped up. I have 16 of them.... Took me 2 complete afternoons to do them all. And yes they do make a difference. In winter and hot summer with the AC.
Here are some pic of the shrink film. The film is for sure clear even though in this pic it looks foggy.
Now the issue in the winter. The aluminum strip I stick it too still sweats. See here
The tape fits perfect in that 1/2" wide channel and I do not have to stick it to the wall, but since the window frame is metal from the outside to the inside, the cold comes right thru the frame and sweats out in side. Each morning I wipe up the strip and we vent a good distance every night as you have to deal with the letting the moisture out or dehumidify it.
So I was going to go the storm window route. The storm would have a thin wood frame made to look nice and then seat to the wall outside the metal frame. That way the metal never gets touched by inside air to condense. I have not figured out if I need to felt liner the wood frame as a gasket or not, that is an experiment. The tip about using a magnet mounting strip sounds interesting if I can find it cheap enough for the amount I have to make.
Now with 16 windows this is going to the a pile of them. In our case we have a good combo of double hung, sliders and crank out windows. In the winter, spring and fall most all windows stay shut. Come later spring we need some more air and then the crank out would come off and leave many of the others on. The majority of our camping is weekend at this point in time. While we do a few multi week road trips most are local. So in our case I can store the ones we take off in the shed under protective cover. Full timing I do not know how you do this and what to do with that many of them.
As far as price, the shrink wrap is like $15 to do an entire camper of 16 windows. You cannot get it any cheaper and it really makes a difference.
Good luck and hope this helps. Would really be interested in seeing anyone's home made or even factory bought storms and how they attach to the camper
John
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
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