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Topic: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion? (Read 2582 times) previous topic - next topic

Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

All of my windows have sagging internal seals between the panes and are snaking.  None of them are foggy yet, so that's a bonus, but the look is terrible.  It's not a perfect coach, but is something I would like to get fixed, but not bad enough that I want to pay for new windows, or want to pay someone $200+ to fix them only for them to snake 4-5 years down the road. 

Any knowledge or experience if the dual pane windows can be converted to single pane so I never have to worry about this again?  I don't spend a ton of time inside of the coach, so the inefficiency of single vs. dual pane isn't of concern to me. 

Thanks,

Evan
2000 U320 4010

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #1
Evan,

Wonder if the spelling should be double PAIN windows instead of double pane.

And, my suggestion is that it would be less $$ to have the current windows fixed.

Let us know where you are and we can suggest facilities that do this for a  living.

There are also do-it-yourself kits for this.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #2
Evan,

Wonder if the spelling should be double PAIN windows instead of double pane.

And, my suggestion is that it would be less $$ to have the current windows fixed.

Let us know where you are and we can suggest facilities that do this for a  living.

There are also do-it-yourself kits for this.

Hi Brett, yes they are a PAIN.  I am in Southern California.  Travelling to have them repaired is a non-option, and paying someone to do the R&R is also out of the cards.  I would like to take them out myself and have them re-glassed to single pane, if that is a possibility.  I haven't read great reviews about the longevity of the repairs to the double pane windows, and with the heat in the Southwest US and the fact I don't have covered parking for my coach (its in the 5 year plan), its money wasted re-sealing my double panes at this points since they aren't fogged.  Its something I have been thinking about, and during lunch break today I performed a forum search and saw that the earlier coaches came with single pane glass.  I was hoping maybe someone had experience retrofitting single pane into the double pane frame. 
2000 U320 4010

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #3
You will not like the outside sound with single pane compared to the double paned ones. We park in many places where the trucks and traffic don't bother us as the single paned ones did in the Monaco
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #4
You will not like the outside sound with single pane compared to the double paned ones. We park in many places where the trucks and traffic don't bother us as the single paned ones did in the Monaco
I was very surprised by how much more quiet it is in our 97 with double panes compared to our 95 with singles.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #5
My windows are snaking and they were like that when I bought the coach and they don't fog
up so I haven't worried about them but if they weren't double pane windows I wouldn't have
bought the coach.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #6
Window snakes are a problem only with your oem brand of windows because they used flexible separator seal. Fixing them with solid separator will eliminate future snakes. Some of done the repair themselves. Try one window yourself and see if you want to do it. Never consider going to single pane, which introduce sound, moisture, and a loss of one of the major features, and a big job.

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #7
Window seals DIY

So I will eventually rebuild all my windows. The original window glass is junk compared to all the improvements in the past 20 years. Actually flat glass.  Actual UV rated Low E glass. Mine was zero UV rated till I got them tinted. Actual Solar rejection rating. Oh and yes new urethane separators that will never snake again. All glass will need to be safety glass when finished. Any decent glass shop can make you new ones to install yourself. This is also the time to add Tint. I live in the desert and have 50% on the windshields and 40% on everything else. Yes the windshields are darker than what I would have picked out but the window tint guy said he guaranteed  I would be happy with them and he was right, I was wrong. Check some of your local glass shops till you find one willing to work with you. You wont regret it. They will have to special order I believe it was 3/16 aluminum separator 

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #8
For me, dealing with the repair would be a small price to pay for the benefits of dual pane windows.

Reduced noise, heat and cold would be a huge improvement over the single panes we have.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #9
Why not reuse your current tempered glass. Most take apart, clean, reseal, reinstall.

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #10
For me, dealing with the repair would be a small price to pay for the benefits of dual pane windows.

Reduced noise, heat and cold would be a huge improvement over the single panes we have.

Nice upgrade for coaches with single pane.
Winter special 20% off
RV Windows & Camper Windows | RVWindows.com
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #11
RV Fog Dr in Searcy Arkansas 5012783015 reused the glass, just  replaced the seal. There  there was someone  in Washington state  doing the same thing, Fog doc may know who it is.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #12
I got lucky when one of my previous owners replaced all of the old windows with new motion double pane windows. I second the motion that I would never get a single paine window in the coach. Too much noise too much heat and or cold compared to the double pane.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #13
My 88 has double windows, not double glazed but two complete window assemblies. Bit of a procedure to open but the sound proofing is beyond belief. They also work really well for air circulation when driving, with the inside window slightly open and the outer rear glass open it gives great circulation without the gusting associated with open windows.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #14
I think there is a place in Oregon that fixes windows also.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #15
The suggestion of the solid separator is the way to go, my fear was doing the work, and having it snake again.  Only 1 window is actually fogged, then entry door window.  I like the idea of the solid separator, I wasn't aware those existed. 
2000 U320 4010

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #16
Window seals DIY

So I will eventually rebuild all my windows. The original window glass is junk compared to all the improvements in the past 20 years. Actually flat glass.  Actual UV rated Low E glass. Mine was zero UV rated till I got them tinted. Actual Solar rejection rating. Oh and yes new urethane separators that will never snake again. All glass will need to be safety glass when finished. Any decent glass shop can make you new ones to install yourself. This is also the time to add Tint. I live in the desert and have 50% on the windshields and 40% on everything else. Yes the windshields are darker than what I would have picked out but the window tint guy said he guaranteed  I would be happy with them and he was right, I was wrong. Check some of your local glass shops till you find one willing to work with you. You wont regret it. They will have to special order I believe it was 3/16 aluminum separator

So you are disassembling the windows and having new modern glass cut and re-assembling?

I'm surprised you are OK with the 50% windshield tint.  I suspect the only way it is Ok is your killer headlight upgrades you did for night driving.  My last personal truck had 50% on the windshield and limo on the sides, and while it looked great, it was absolutely miserable driving at night.
2000 U320 4010

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #17
Yes new windows and any good glass shop can make. Get tint and LowE glass. Yes I definitely would have lost the bet on that dark. Sometimes one must actually take the advise of someone working in the field. He told me if I wasn't 100% happy he would replace for free. I was wrong and he was right. I have driven at night and I do notice it it but very acceptable. The 20% on my truck and Suburban is unnoticeable at night. The big thing to get is the solar rejection numbers as hi as possible. Try to look through some examples and determine what is good for you. We are really pleased so far.

Nothing pisses me off more than poorly designed headlights shining in my eyes at night. I always recommend walking in front of your head lights and see / experience what the guy in a corvette will be looking at. Sadly I just learned this week that the LED projector headlights I purchased are no longer being imported. Little demand because most go the cheaper way of just LED bulb replacement.

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #18
Our windows are doing the same. Not fogged. Not even on the list to fix. Rather spend our money on diesel.

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #19
With single pane the noise has never bothered us much.  We have parked between 2 refrigerated trucks with engine and refer running all night,, still slept like a baby.
  Now the loss of heat and cooling is an argument that I do get but the secret to that is , leave if it's extreme weather either way.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #20
So you are disassembling the windows and having new modern glass cut and re-assembling?

I'm surprised you are OK with the 50% windshield tint.  I suspect the only way it is Ok is your killer headlight upgrades you did for night driving.  My last personal truck had 50% on the windshield and limo on the sides, and while it looked great, it was absolutely miserable driving at night.
Night driving? If one is driving a big class A at night. They should reevaluate their trip scheduling. I have yet (bought it in 2016) to drive my coach at night.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #21
Night driving? If one is driving a big class A at night. They should reevaluate their trip scheduling. I have yet (bought it in 2016) to drive my coach at night.

Ok?

I do as much of my motorhome travelling at night as I can.  I'm under 40 years of age, my eyes are good, and my upgraded headlights are fantastic.  There is far less traffic driving at night and all of my travel is on major interstates in the southwest US. 
2000 U320 4010

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #22
Our windows are doing the same. Not fogged. Not even on the list to fix. Rather spend our money on diesel.

I agree Ernie, that's why I haven't done anything with them yet.  If I could R&R them myself and get them fixed for a reasonable cost by a local professional (sounds like that is possible) it would be welcome visual upgrade, but its is low on the priority list.  I could probably spend $30k on this thing making things "right" without affecting the operating performance or ability of the coach. 
2000 U320 4010

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #23
Ok?

I do as much of my motorhome travelling at night as I can.  I'm under 40 years of age, my eyes are good, and my upgraded headlights are fantastic.  There is far less traffic driving at night and all of my travel is on major interstates in the southwest US.
The interesting thing about driving a few hours at nite. Scenery in the morning is usually completely different.  Not my first choice but been stuck doin it.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Double Pane to Single Pane Window Glass Conversion?

Reply #24
Ok?

I do as much of my motorhome travelling at night as I can.  I'm under 40 years of age, my eyes are good, and my upgraded headlights are fantastic.  There is far less traffic driving at night and all of my travel is on major interstates in the southwest US.
Perhaps a bit less traffic. Although I have not hit a traffic jam outside of the greater LA area yet in the coach. For me it's the animals at night.

I drove a semi with two trailers across Wyoming at night for ten years doing 75MPH (the speedlimit). Hit 30 deer and one small Elk. I have never hit a deer in the daytime.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr