Big box store windows?

[madjack]

...forget the plexiglass and think polycarbonate/lexan for your replacements....................

[wok]

I found this site.. www.usplastics.com. they have a great selection of all kinds of random odds and ends that some might find useful. I am returning my storm windows and I orderd some of this last night http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=21314&product%5Fid=10477
For $30 + shpping ($8), I got 7 sheets of 1/8" thick. I got a huge pile of window screens from Lowes that were supposedly damaged (only one is) for $10, and I have a huge pile of 2x2's so now I can get creative and save a little money. Just need hinges now. What are the best type of fittings (not sure what they are called) so I an open my windows from inside, swing open up style, without having to remove screen or go outside? is it called a piano hinge or something?

[asianflava]

The bad thing about plexi and lexan is that they will scratch if you breathe on them wrong.

[doug hodder]

Having been in the sign industry for a number of years, Rocky is right, both will scratch pretty easily. Plex is more stable for expansion and contraction through heat cycles, but polycarb (Lexan) is more break resistant..like 30 times as much as plex..you can put Lexan through a break and bend up 90 degree angles on it....I had signs with a 38 slug shot through them, and the poly ones held up, but the plex ones would fracture, and that was in the inner city of Denver!....Poly carb has a water component in it that allows it to expand and contract more...On windows of this size I don't think it would be an issue, but on a large sign it certainly was...the big thing, is that they both will scratch easily and cloud over time...Doug

[wok]

ahh shoot! is acrylic or whatever I linked to the same things as plexi? Haha I guess I will be returning my second set of windows. I need to be really careful in picking out round three.

Im somewhat not looking foward to having to return all that stuff I ordered. If the big downside is scratching... what would happen if I put automotive window tint on it, and replaced every few years as needed? The inside shouldnt get too much contact as the screen will block it. Its only the outside I will need to worry about. Or is window tinting film and plexi a bad idea?

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

You can get polycarbonate with several different applied coatings for different types of things... like a scratch resistant coating for example.
My experience with polycarb with this type of treatment has shown me that it does help a bit. With great care, it is possible to keep normal uncoated polycarb looking good for quite a while... "Flood" the surface clean.
Myself, I'd go with tempered glass, unless the application called for a curved surface.
Oh Yaa... If you think polycarb is expensive, get a quote on a piece that is coated.

[wok]

Dean:
My problem now is I already have a nice pile of plexi in the mail . But if you reccomend finding some that is coated, I think I will try the next best thing with my own low tech homegrown version ( a roll of tint from wallyworld) and hope it works out. Its cheap and I can make use of the stuff I ordered. Hmmm this is almost a case of needing to measure twice and cut once... I need to get ALL the info before making a purchase. HA . I will learn eventually. Thanks for the advice!!

[Classic Finn]

...forget the plexiglass and think polycarbonate/lexan for your replacements....................

Its lexan of sorts they use here for the boat and ship industry - And Ive seen the product. Some have it on for years and they still look like new. The industry doesnt seem to complain about it sooooooo. And as Dean says it has a scratch resistant coating ..

And since the tear isnt going to be used in winter ... It isnt going to scratch that much...

So thats what we decided to go with ...

Classic Finn

[Claw]

wok,
The acrylic you ordered seems pretty inexpensive to me, even if you replaced it every couple years. But like Dean said if you flooded it to clean instead of wiping it I would think it would last many years.

[Nic]

I just wondered if the big box stores have any windows that I could use in a teardrop, or do I have to make them from scratch.

In order for a window to be decent for the road, it should be relatively lightweight, and sorta resistant to breakage. Oh yea, it shouldn't have any panels that just "lift out". Can you imagine going over a bump and losing your window?

So has anyone seen a window that might work, or do I have to do something like this...

http://www.deansofidaho.com/teardrop/wi ... ndows.html

Mike...

Hey Mike. Here are a couple pix of the windows i built. I used 1x2" wood frame for the wall and the window. I used plexi and just cut a slice out of the window frame for the plexi. I did the same for my front and top window.

[wok]

Nic:
How did you notch the wood to make a slot for the plexi? Im planning on doing my windows the same way, but I would like to find a way to make a notch for the length of the wood for the peice to set in.... if that makes any sense.....

[Nic]

Hey Wok. Once i had the frame cut i ran each side through the table saw. The cut is more to the outside of the frame. That gives room for any latch or lock to bol to the inside of the frame. I have one of them out right now. I will take some close up pix for ya. OH.... on the sky light i did the same thing. Only i brough the glass real close to the edge to keep water from standing so much.

[wok]

Nic...
That sounds good (now i just gotta find a table saw ) I'd love to see some pics! Its good to see the design in action before I have a go at it myself. Does your sunroof pop-up? I thinking about making one with a wide frame, so then laid flat it stood off my roof a good little bit, so I would have room to make the inside somewhat raised to keep water out, and then have the window wide frame sit down over that, with a hinge at the front, and a healthy application of weather stripping. Does that make any sense?

[Nic]

I took some pix of the windows for you today. Let me size them and i will hit you up.

[wok]

Thank you!!