tempered glass?

[Gone Kayaking]

Hi all
I'm wondering if it would make sense to replace my front standard Hehr window with tempered glass. I know it's expensive, but I'm thinking it might afford some protection against rock hits. Is it too thick to fit the opening? Also considering getting a removable aluminum rock guard fabricated.

thoughts

[pga26]

i think it's worth it. the glass in those windows is really thin and brittle. i was able to find a glass shop that cut them for me for $15.00 each. i thought that was more than reasonable. call around to find the best price. i got quotes for $45.00 and i think higher even, so was happy to find them at $15.00. i would go with 1/8" thickness. good luck!

[dawgpound]

You need to double check the thickness of the original glass. The thinnest you can get Tempered Glass is 3/16" and Laminated Glass I believe is 1/8" minimum. You may think, as I did, 1/16" won't make that much of a difference....OH BUT IT DOES!

Just my 2 cents,
Ross

[Gone Kayaking]

PGA26 was that laminated or tempered? Wondering if others have gone this route? Ross that was my concern with regard to original thickness. I'll do some research and report back what I learn.

[vikx]

I use scratch resistant Lexan. It's spendy but almost as tough as glass. No scratches and only tiny marks if a rock hits it.

[dawgpound]

For what is is worth, the 1970 style Hehr Jalousie windows use 1/16" Single Strength Glass.

[safetybruce]

I don't have full understanding of tempered glass, but it seems to me it was made so that a windshield was more likely not to shatter and spray slivers of glass into a driver or passenger's face. The number of cars with windshields with migrating cracks (in Mississippi at least, including my old beater truck...lol) leads me to believe that tempered doesn't necessarily make cracking less of a problem. Maybe when considering what you are seeking as an end result vikx's suggestion would be a bit more expensive in the application, but better cost effectiveness in the long run, or of course considering a rock guard if there is a quality metal shop in your area.

[Gone Kayaking]

I'm going to check out lexan. @ross, the 1956 1500 has one large hehr standard awning window, flanked by 2 smaller fixed windows in the front. And then the 2 fixed dinette windows on the front sides.

[dawgpound]

Laminated Glass is used for auto windshields. Laminated Glass has a thin clear film that is sandwiched in between 2 pieces of glass, thus the term "Laminated". When hit by an object, the glass will crack or shatter, but will stay in one piece....so to speak.

Tempered Glass is used for auto side, door and back glass, as well as all new exterior doors on homes, which is required by law. Also is found in all NEW RV and Camper windows. Tempered Glass has been heat treated and when hit by an object, it will break into thousands of little "square" pieces.

[kto17]

My astrodome was missing the big loft window when I bought it. Thats roughly about a 16" x 48" window. I do wood and trim work for hobbies so I can measure really well, but I towed it to a glass shop and let them measure, so any mistake was theirs to recut. They cut it, perfect fit for $27 for tempered.

I highly recommend letting them measure. They will probably answer any questions about installing it as they check out your vintage camper.