athermic glass OR plastic double glazed - pro's & Cons ?

[DreamMachine]

I am considering buying a van based motorhome fitted with the athermic glass windows - an Autosleeper model - but how do these windows compare to the normal plastic double glazed windows ?

Are they as good for insulation hot / cold ?
what about condensation being glass ?

I would value opinion from people who have experience of both types.

many thanks in advance

 

[CazPaul]

Double glazed any day, single glazed glass will get condensation and won't be as warm regardless of the scientific bumpf they tell you.

 

[Lenny HB]

My friend has an AS PVC, the windows would be the least of my worries the insulation in it is diabolical wouldn't want to spend a winter in it.

For me, plastic double glazed is far superior.

 

[pjay]

Also only two little sliding opening windows at the front on a/sleeper panel vans, no openers at the back.

Pete

 

[Minxy]

IMV these 'glass' window PVCs are only really suitable for 3-season use only at most, certainly not for winter. The insulation generally isn't good and the windows, regardless of all the supposed scientific info they try to convince you with, are still single pane glass so can never possibly be as good as a double skinned one.

 

[Kingham]

First two motorhomes had double glazed plastic windows and the only bad condensation was as expected, on the cab windows, however they didn’t tend to get used through the winter.
Current van is an Auto-Sleeper with athermic glass, it was used right through last winter and you’ll never guess, the only bad condensation was also on the cab windows.
This suggests to me that the glass windows do have some thermal properties, but certainly don’t feel as warm to the touch as plastic, so overall are likely not to be as efficient as double glazed plastic units ?

 

[DonA4000]

First two motorhomes had double glazed plastic windows and the only bad condensation was as expected, on the cab windows, however they didn’t tend to get used through the winter.
Current van is an Auto-Sleeper with athermic glass, it was used right through last winter and you’ll never guess, the only bad condensation was also on the cab windows.
This suggests to me that the glass windows do have some thermal properties, but certainly don’t feel as warm to the touch as plastic, so overall are likely not to be as efficient as double glazed plastic units ?

Overall how did you find the performance of the insulation of the kingham through the winter? As we do like the layout and is on our short list Thanks

 

[Fragle]

My friend has an AS PVC, the windows would be the least of my worries the insulation in it is diabolical wouldn't want to spend a winter in it.

For me, plastic double glazed is far superior.

Downsized to AS Warwick from coach built with no condensation problems on rear windows at all even in winter use. As for insulation this is excellent in our opinion, Minus 5 was no problem at all last 2 winters and as said previously very little condensation on rear windows

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[The Lord Squid]

I only have experience of Warwick Duo. Switzerland in March 2017 was fine. Opening the front roof vent drastically reduced condensation (with 2 in the van but no external screens). 2010 model so no insulation over wheel arches. It was warm nonetheless. I've since got Silverscreens (I rate them), but to reflect heat rather than keep it in. I'll see what the winter brings. Duo is my first van and the only thing I'd change would be to get rid of the polluting diesel engine. First diesel in 40 plus years of owning vehicles.

 

[grumps147]

Two brilliant threads in one day.

Autosleepers, both pvc and coach built, are quite high on my 3500kg weight shortlist.

Something like this would be important to me also, and so far my interpretation of the thread responses is athermic may not quite be as good as double glazed, but really isn’t a major problem when you compare it to other issues, especially those affecting payload.

Of more concern to me now would be free locker space in any pvc. Not much use having 500Kg if there is nowhere to put it.

 

[mikebeaches]

I don't disagree with most of what has been said about the thermal properties of glass v. double glazed plastic.

One other minor consideration might be that glass is unlikely to scratch, whereas plastic windows only have to look at a nearby rogue twig to get marked... And yes, I know if the scratch isn't too deep they can be polished out. But a non-issue with glass.

Notwithstanding that, I'd still always go for the double glazed plastic, personally.

 

[RogerThat]

Are they as good for insulation hot / cold ?
what about condensation being glass ?

As mentioned above, if you shut all the internal blinds at night, then open them in the morning, strangely none of the athermic glass panels has a single spec of condensation on them - weird! Yet the windscreen and cab doors are soaked sometimes

Silverscreens on the outside would cure this in an instant, and I shall probably get some later this year. I had them on my old coachbuilt and they were ace.

In terms of the insulation side of things, again as mentioned, I can't see them being as good as plastic double glazed, from a purely physics perspective. But I'm yet to get cold in the van so they can't be all bad. Either that, or the heating is great

Autosleepers, both pvc and coach built, are quite high on my 3500kg weight shortlist.

I'm only in Wigan mate, you're more than welcome to pop round for a brew, an un-biased perspective, and a nosey round my AS PVC with athermic glass one evening if you like

Of more concern to me now would be free locker space in any pvc. Not much use having 500Kg if there is nowhere to put it

Without wishing to take this thread off topic, I went for a Thule roofbox to keep all the deck chairs and other countless 'outdoors' bits and bobs in.

 

[Kingham]

Overall how did you find the performance of the insulation of the kingham through the winter? As we do like the layout and is on our short list Thanks

Away from home with poor internet at the moment.
I had no issues at all over the winter, but I tend to use sites and I’m usually on EHU. The insulation probably isn’t the best, but I believe the Kingham got its winter rating from the quality of the heater.
I added the winter pack option, which adds tank heaters and blankets, insulated external pipework and fridge vents.
A common complaint, which I agree with, but which doesn’t personally bother me, as I don’t feel the cold too badly, is that the front heater vent is far cooler than the three at the rear.