Framed vs frameless windows

[brroberts]

Our acrylic were more reliable than my framed have been. They did not get scratched up, and the amount of airflow even in the rain was fantastic.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Acrylic windows seem like to be where it’s at these days. Seen a good number of trailers and adventure vans with them this summer. Good to see ETI keeping up with the industry. I’ll stay with my framed windows. They do the job and I don’t see any added value with the acrylic.

 

[Selkirk]

I just like the idea that I can get the glass fixed on a broken slider window in just about any town. No so with acrylic windows and possibly not frameless. Stuff happens when you least expect it.

I don't know how easy it would be for most small-town glass shops to replace a broken slider-style window used by ETI.

The shops I'm familiar with are set up to easily supply standard rectangular single-lite annealed or laminated glass or residential-style replacement sealed units.

However, the framed Lippert sliding windows are constructed very differently than residential glazing. They use uniquely shaped (rounded corners) dual glazed sealed units with deeply tinted tempered glass and special narrow spacer bar. A glass shop would have to be familiar with RV-style glazing, have access to the glass components that are unique to that industry, and be able to work with a tempering plant....in order to manufacture a replacement sealed unit.

My guess is that most local shops would advise customers that it would be simpler/easier just to order the replacement glass from Lippert.

I most definitely would have considered acrylic windows if they were available at the time I ordered my trailer. The only sticking point is the interference with the manual awning arms.

I wouldn't be surprised if acrylic completely replaces glass for "premium-grade" RV windows in the next 5-10 years.

 

[GinoandLinda]

I don't know how easy it would be for most small-town glass shops to replace a broken slider-style window used by ETI.

The shops I'm familiar with are set up to easily supply standard rectangular single-lite annealed or laminated glass or residential-style replacement sealed units.

True, however with a framed window, you could easily stop at a hardware shop or big box home improvement store and get a piece of Plexiglass and cut to fit in the frame. I did this many, many years ago when I was ghost town exploring in Arizona, Nevada and California and sleeping in the back of my truck. My High Lift jack broke free from its mount and broke the window in my camper shell. I was able to get a piece of Plexi and score and cut it to make a temp window for the rest of my trip. I'm sure plastic, cardboard and duct tape would have done the same but the Plexi fix stayed with the truck until I sold it years later.

 

[Ron in BC]

I’ll stay with my framed windows. They do the job and I don’t see any added value with the acrylic

I agree but if you go in Johnny Hung's trailer you definitely notice how much more light they let in. I like them but I've decided that to retro-fit them is too much cost and effort. If I was going to any it'd be replacing the 14" roof vent.

Ron

 

[Donna D.]

I don't know how easy it would be for most small-town glass shops to replace a broken slider-style window used by ETI.

It's not difficult at all for a single pane window, IF you've removed the window from the trailer and take the window to the glass shop. Dual-pane windows aren't any more difficult. Seriously. There's no gas between the panes like might be found in residential windows.

Few glass shops want to deal with removing and installing RV windows, like it's some big deal. I guess they're worried about liability if it leaks. But all-molded towable owners should know how to maintain windows and that includes removing and reinstalling.

 

[Chasing Trials]

I just like the idea that I can get the glass fixed on a broken slider window in just about any town. No so with acrylic windows and possibly not frameless. Stuff happens when you least expect it.

I wondering about fogging, like vehicle headlights.

 

[Ron in BC]

I wondering about fogging, like vehicle headlights.

Doesn't seem to be an issue as long as the double glazed window is assembled in a low humidity situation. They sell "super spacer" in various thicknesses for commercial and home use. Lot's of youtube videos on using it.

Ron

 

[Selkirk]

I wondering about fogging, like vehicle headlights.

Fogging is generally not caused from the environment present when the sealed unit is manufactured. The airspace between the glass panes is often filled with argon (no humidity). In instances where the airspace is left as ambient air, there is desiccant incorporated into the spacer bar which absorbs any moisture.

Fogging occurs when the seal between the spacer and glass fails. This allows humid air from the environment where the window is installed to enter the air space. If the moisture condenses in the airspace, you get fogging.

In my experience, I'd rank the risk of fogging for windows available on ETI trailers as follows (from worst to best):

- Frameless: The vent consists just one big sealed unit. The outer pane is suspended in space, supported by nothing but the adhesive seal between the spacer and glass, meaning it's constantly under some shear force. The seal is also subject to a slight amount of tension whenever the window is closed. I'm sure the engineers at Lippert spec'd an appropriate sealant, but I can still see it failing given enough time.

- Framed: The sealed units are retained by a frame and is therefore uniformly supported. The seal is also under a slight amount of constant compression....which should aid in longevity.

- Acrylic: The I believe the inner and outer panes are physically bonded to the spacer. This should be much stronger/resistant to failure than any adhesive sealant.

 

[Chamberman]

I wondering about fogging, like vehicle headlights.

Vehicle headlights do not really fog up on the interior like a thermal window does. The plastic is attacked by the elements and gets cloudy on the exterior surface. I expect this will be a problem with acrylic as well. I typically wax my headlights on my older vehicles to keep this cloudy plastic issue at bay. I would imagine the acrylic windows will shine up nicely with some car wax just as well as my plastic headlights do.

 

[jkavanagh]

2017 21 escape The frameless we love. Never had a problem, I do wish that they were not
tinted as it makes it a little darker in side. Would rather have a manual awning. We open the windows on the driver's side so the manual awning would work for us.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Fantastic plastic?

I prefer glass. Solar UV degrades all plastics, over time. Glass? Nah. Glass is scratch resistant and durable. But I didn't have a choice, buying a previously "used" rig.

YMMV