What Are Thermopane Windows? (Is Thermopane Glass Worth It?)
Windows are for more than providing a view. They are a first-line defense against the cold and wind. However, not all windows are up to the challenge and let out more heat than is necessary. When that happens you get colder as the night hours go by.
What are Thermopane windows? Thermopane windows come with a built-in air pocket that makes them more energy efficient. They help keep the cold air out of your RV as well as retaining more heat. The less heat loss you get, the better energy efficiency you have. That translates into lower fuel costs.
To learn more about thermopane windows, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about in order to see if they will work for you, Regular RV windows may not be up to the challenge when you want to use your RV during the colder times of the year.
Thermopane Windows 101
What are Thermopane Windows?
These are windows that are designed to help your RV be more energy efficient. If you do a lot of cold weather camping or go high in the mountains during the summer, they may come in handy as they are supposed to keep you warmer.
While glass is always energy inefficient, the air pocket in between the two panes of glass is supposed to provide that barrier you need to block out cold temperatures. Some people do not like them as they are harder to take care of and more expensive.
Then some swear by these windows as it helps them preserve their propane supply and keep them nice and warm when the temperature levels outside dip to uncomfortable low levels.
The regular RV windows will suffice if you are only a warm-weather RV person. There is no need to upgrade if you are not the type of person who loves to camp in the winter, etc.
Then on the reverse side, these windows may help keep the cool AC air inside when it is hot outside. Also, the dual panes do not sweat as much as the single pane windows do.
How do Thermopane Windows Work?
If you get the top quality thermopane windows you should receive the following construction benefits-- “solid tempered glass, true double seals, anodized perforated aluminum spacers, and high-quality two-part absorption media”.
These construction methods help the windows last a long time. They work to keep outside air from reaching your inside air using an air pocket as a barrier. These windows are constructed in such a way to make sure there are no air leaks that will ruin the protection they are supposed to provide.
Sometimes they are filled with a gas to provide better insulation. However, double pane glass or windows and RVs are not a match made in heaven. They are not designed to handle a lot of vibration so you may have some trouble with them as time goes by.
Also, it may not be your RV windows that are the problem when it comes to heating. or losing the heat. These vehicles are not given a lot of insulation as they are generally used in mild to hot temperatures and not cold ones.
While the single-pane windows may lose a lot of heat, so will your walls, ceiling, and even flooring.
How Much do Thermopane Windows Cost?
These windows are not cheap. They can raise the cost of your RV by as little as $250 and as much as $600 PER window. That three-letter word tells you how expensive even the cheaper models can run you.
If you have 5 windows that you want thermopane installed, then you are looking at paying $1250 to $3000 total extra. One RV owner was reporting that he was paying $450 for the change but he did not say if that was his total cost or if that was the cost per window.
When you look at those figures, it may be cheaper to buy an extra tank of propane and run your furnace a little hotter overnight. While thermopane windows are good and do the job well, they just might not be cost-effective for many smaller budgets.
Those figures we mentioned are there just to give you an idea of the expense. There is no real fixed cost for RV window repairs, exchanges, replacements, etc., because all RV windows are not the same size, shape, have the same type of frame, and so on. Tint color will play a factor in this cost as well.
Are Thermopane Windows Good?
In traditional housing, they may be superior to single-pane windows and provide a lot of protection from the outside weather. However, RVs are not like traditional homes. The latter remains stationary while the former moves over different terrain depending on the driver and destination.
The basic design will keep your RV comfortable, save you money on heating and AC costs, and do not have condensation like single pane windows do. Their negative aspects may deter you from upgrading to those windows.
Thermopane windows are known for fogging up a lot and it is hard to remove that fog once it appears. Their security is better than single pane and they are harder to break than their single pane competitors.
The other main problem you will find with using these windows is that the vibration can cause damage to the window design. That damage will allow the gas to escape and you lose all your insulation protection.
This is a factor that you have to consider before upgrading. Also, you need to aware that all windows will fail at some point even double pane ones like Thermopane.
How long do Thermopane Windows Last?
This is another depends type of question. If the quality is good, the windows are well looked after and you do not drive over rough roads, then you are looking at 10 years before needing to replace them.
That is the ideal though and many thermopane windows do not last 1 year let alone 10. Part of the problem for this lack of longevity is how they are installed. If you went to a bad shop or a good shop had a worker who did inferior work, then do not expect your windows to last a long time.
Installation is a major factor in how long windows will last. Then another big factor will be in what type of Thermopane material was used. There are different qualities of this material, gas, and seals and if you get a lower quality construction then your windows won’t last long either.
Then your driving habits, destinations, and weather conditions at those destinations will play a role in the lifespan of the windows. Vibrations, bump knocks, and other traveling issues are not good for the windows and they will receive damage sooner rather than later.
Finally, because different components have to meet RV weight restrictions the quality of construction materials is often lacking. To meet that weight goal inferior products are used because they are lighter not stronger than other options.
That means that your thermopane windows may not last past 5 years if you are lucky.
How do Thermopane Windows Affect Fire Behavior?
Believe it or not, and we checked several websites by many experienced RV people with thermopane windows, and not one person mentioned this topic in their cons section or anywhere else.
You would think that this would be a hot topic as while fires are rare in RVs they can still take place. (Yes, the pun was intended). One site did mention that the best tool a fireman had when confronted with a thermopane window was a carbide-tipped chain saw blade.
That tells you that these windows are hard to break, which is good for your defense against burglars. Not so good when you have a fire to extinguish. Basically, the air supply may be lower when you have thermopane windows so the fires may not burn as fast but that difference may be minimal.
Many thermopane windows are made from tempered glass which is the toughest type of glass you can buy. That is why they are used in RVs. That toughness may delay firefighters' entry into your RV allowing the fire to spread better and further.
All this boils down to is that thermopane windows may be a hindrance to putting out any fire that starts inside your RV when you are not around or asleep.
Thermopane Windows for RVs
Basically, this will be your call. Some RV owners swear by them and think they are the greatest upgrade you can do to an RV. Others are not so sure as they listen more to the negatives surrounding these types of windows.
Whether you go with single pane or Thermopane glass both styles of glass are made with tempered glass. That is because they are harder to break. With the amount of vibration these windows have to endure, you want the toughest material in your RV that can possibly be used.
That is why some manufacturers make their windows out of acrylic. This material is hard to break as well although they are very easy to scratch. Thermopane windows certainly have their advantages over single pane options but their cost may stop you from upgrading.
That is the biggest drawback to using them. The next biggest issue that may stop you from using Thermopane windows is that you need to own an RV that already has a frame that fits double pane windows.
If you don’t it is very difficult to make the change. Plus, you cannot switch styles of brands. You are stuck with one type only.
Can Thermopane Windows be Repaired?
Yes, they can be repaired and many people who like DIY projects can handle this task. However, replacing the lost gas, etc., that goes in between the two window panes can be tricky and needs special equipment. Most DIYers do not have that equipment.
Plus, the process to remove the windows and all the parts will take some time. You would need to block out a large portion of the morning at least just to get the task done right. This is not a quick fix by any means. You will need a lot of patience as there are many steps involved as you shall soon see.
There are about 20 steps involved and each step has multiple functions to do in order to get the repair right. Sometimes, jobs like this are best left up to the pros if you can afford the labor costs.
The pros will have all the equipment and tools needed to do this job right.
How to Defog Thermopane Windows
This task is more than just spraying on some glass cleaner and wiping the exterior and interior panes of glass. when the windows fog up that means that there is damage to the seals and they will need to be replaced at the same time as you defog the windows.
As we have just said, you need special equipment to reinsert the insulation as well as a lot of patience to go through the approx. 20 steps it will take. Plus, you will need to be careful as you work.
The tools that are needed are as follows:
Cordless Drill
Ladder
2 " Square #2 Drill Bit
1 " Square # 1 Drill Bit
2" Torx T-20 Drill Bit
4 " Flexible Putty Knife
container
Reversible Clamp
Rubber Mallet
Utility Knife
Painter's Tape
Socket Wrench
Silicone Caulking
Caulking Gun
Razor Blade × 10
Razer Scraper
Marker
Insulating Material
Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner
Large Needle Nose Pliers
Shop Towels or Rags
If you don't have these tools it may be cheaper to hire a professional to handle the repair. We will be only able to give you the basics involved in each step here and for more details and photos you need to go to this link.
- Step 1: Use your drill and remove the interior screws. Then go outside take your putty knife and cut the seal behind the frame of the coach. Lift the window up and out towards you and make sure it is completely out before moving it any further.
- Step 2: Lay the window face up on the carpet and use a marker to mark where the center is. This will help in reassembly.
- Step 3 & 4: Flip the window over and remove the caulking covering the screws. Then remove the screws. It is not necessary to remove all four screws.
- Step 5: Use the reverse clamp to expand the window making it possible to remove the sliding portion of the window. When this is done take the clamp out.
- Step 6: Next, remove the stationary portion of the window by applying a little pressure. When that and the center bar have been removed set the frame aside in a safe spot.
- Step 7 & 8: Remove the rubber and then use your marker to mark which windows face away from the insulation. You will need to mark both windows. Once that is done, use a deglazing tool to separate both windows.
- Step 9: Place the slider in a position where it is easy for you to tap a putty knife with a hammer and separate the handle from the glass. You should mark all parts to make sure you know where they go and in which position so your assembly will go smoothly.
- Step 10: Remove the seal using a tool that has a razor blade-like edge.
- Step 11: Spray the glass with glass cleaner on both sides and wipe with the appropriate cloth.
- Step 12: This is where it gets complicated as you have to adhere the new seal to the glass. This step takes a very large piece of equipment that you will not have in your garage.
At this point, you can take your chances and reassemble the window or take the glass to a professional who has this piece of equipment. when assembling the window, make sure the tinted glass is on the exterior side of the window and the plane pane is on the interior.
Then reverse your steps and put the frame back together with the windows inside and all parts are placed according to their marks. Wipe off the ink left by the marker and hopefully, you didn't place those marks on the wrong side of the window.
Recaulk everything to make sure they are sealed tight and return the window to its proper place.
Some Final Words
Thermopane windows do make a difference when it comes to keeping you warm inside your RV. You just have to determine if the cost is worth it and that the pros outweigh the cons. It may be better to just buy extra propane and jack up the heat a little.
