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One of the most important items in helping you with the ENJOYMENT of your rv is the RV Window.

Why?

Because the window can determine if the RV is dark and dreary or bright and airy. Windows can have a big impact on energy costs and comfort.

To emphasize the prior point – when buying an RV, pay particular attention to the question “Is there enough lighting via windows for me?” We lacked windows on our kitchen side of the RV and that really makes the unit much, much darker than it needs to be.

The lack of natural lighting in the RV made it so Sheri wanted to sell that RV and we did.

So it pays to think about your windows.

Some considerations when you are thinking about RV windows:

• We struggled with condensation during cold weather with our windows. The metal windows transmitted cold from the outside through the window to the “warm” inside and condensation would occur. Also internally where the people are the human respiration increases the humidity in the room. Look for windows that talk about this directly.
• Our Open Range had tinted windows – very tinted windows. On one hand this would knock down the sun’s radiation and keep the RV cooler, but it had the effect of making the RV very dark. We really liked the Puma which had brighter lighter windows.
• If you are living in your RV, you might consider darker windows. If you are more of an intermittent user, then you might want brighter less dark windows. That is if you can even choose.

Types of RV Windows

Double Pane RV Windows

Two layers of glass separated by a layer of air. We have double pane windows in our RV. If you asked me if I could clearly tell a difference in the amount of heat coming through the window, I would have to answer honestly and say that I don’t know.

Thermal Pane RV Windows

Same as double pane, except the space in between the glasses is filled with a special gas. If you read the forums people swear by them. I would however caution you. Most people swear by things, but don’t have real data. To actually know if the windows work, you would have to look at overall temperatures, internal temperatures, and energy consumed to really know. I’m betting no one has this. Mostly just “feelings” and “impressions”. Some might be able to show lower energy bills, which while a really good starting indicator, I would not consider conclusive.

Tinted Windows

We have tinted windows in our RV. We have not noticed that it keeps the RV cooler. But what we have noticed is that the RV is considerably darker. Sheri would gladly pay $20 more per month in energy bills to get a brighter, cheerier atmosphere. If you like lots of light and are prone to depression due to lack of sunlight, then I would highly recommend staying away from tinted windows.

Emergency Escape Windows

An RV is a vehicle so there will be some windows in the RV that have the ability to be unlatched and to escape the RV. Don’t sweat it, you can’t avoid them. They don’t really look bad and no one notices. But I will tell you that RV’s do catch on fire so these are really important and I’m glad I have them.

What happens when you get foggy or cloudy RV windows when your windows are double pane?

In many coaches equipped with double pain windows, a problem occurs when the gas leaks from between the pains.  I went back to American Coach for answers and their solution is to replace the windows with new that probably have a one year warranty and cost 5 or $600 before freight and labor.  I found several companies that repair these windows but I’ve heard some bad on some of them.  

We chose a company in Hudson, FL named Suncoast Designers, Inc.  After talking to them and getting several reference both verbally and on their feedback page from their website, I scheduled to have 5 of my windows repaired.  At Suncoast’s facility, they have spots to park your RV with electric and water hookups and welcome you stay in your RV while the work is being done.  We left our RV with them for 2 days while we visited around Florida then when they called to say it was ready, we drove back to Hudson, spent the night in our RV, checked everything out including water leak testing the windows and when we were satisfied, we paid for the work and was on our way.  

We had the work done this year in May and have been very happy with the quality of work, they way the cared for our RV, and the way they welcomed us to their facility.  We felt right at home.  Our bill averaged a little over $250/window but they look like new.  

One possible problem to be aware of is that if the glass is to etched in you windows, they may not be able to clean them enough to be clear and the glass will need replacing.  If that’s the case, they have the glass to replace the windows.  It’s just more expensive but that’s an unknown until they get in to them.

 RV Windows Information