Double vs single glazed saloon windows?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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Can anyone tell me a good reason why, when they made my boat they put single glazed windows on the sides of the deck saloon and double glazed on the front three windows?

Top photo is the double and bottom the single. As you can see the double fits better, whereas getting a good seal on the single glazed ones is difficult. They also get condensation on them more easily than the double glazed. Thoughts?

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Quandary said:
Shape?
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All different with rounded edges. None are exactly rectangular or square.

portview.jpg
 
My boat also had double glazed front, and single glazed side windows, on the deck saloon. Odd shapes made it very expensive, but the complete reduction of condensation has made it well worth while, changing to double glazing on the sides.
 
NormanS said:
My boat also had double glazed front, and single glazed side windows, on the deck saloon. Odd shapes made it very expensive, but the complete reduction of condensation has made it well worth while, changing to double glazing on the sides.
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Did you find it difficult to find someone to make you up double glazed windows bespoke?
 
northcave said:
Did you find it difficult to find someone to make you up double glazed windows bespoke?
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I dealt with a crowd called Seaglaze Marine Windows. They did a good enough job, but weren't the easiest people to work with, and they were HORRENDOUSLY expensive.

When I got my new to me boat, the seal had gone on two of the forward windows, the outer ones, so oddly shaped. I took the frames out, and asked a local glazier to get double glazed units made to suit. No bother, and very cheap. I couldn't do the same for the side ones, because the existing alloy frames could not accept the thickness of the double glazed units. Hope this helps.
 
I wonder if the double glazing used on boats is specifically stronger than normal double glazing from a domestic supplier? I do have storm boards on my boat but I'd still want my normal windows to be as strong as possible.
 
Perhaps because with an inside steering position it is more important to see where you are going. After all, on a car you only get windscreen wipers on the front but not the side.
 
Double glazing historically was always an expensive option, in any application, and is still hardly 'commonplace'. I might suggest simple economics might have played a role then - especially as costs seems to permeate this short thread.

Jonathan
 
Another note to add on my particular circumstance is that the single glazed windows have a thick gasket to accommodate the excess space in the frame. They are prone to leaking. The double ones however nearly take up the entire frames depth and have been bonded in and haven't leaked at all since I've had the boat.
 
northcave said:
Another note to add on my particular circumstance is that the single glazed windows have a thick gasket to accommodate the excess space in the frame. They are prone to leaking. The double ones however nearly take up the entire frames depth and have been bonded in and haven't leaked at all since I've had the boat.
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It may be then, that your frames are capable of accepting double glazed units, instead of single plus gasket. Should be possible to determine by measuring. If so, "just" take the frames out, take them to your local glazier, and they will get units made up, and fit the units to your frames. I expect that if you look carefully at your frames, you will find that they are made in two parts, held together with screws and fishplates. If you do this, be very careful that the frames don't get slightly distorted. Measure and record the diagonal measurements. You can probably guess how I have experience of this. :D
 
NormanS said:
It may be then, that your frames are capable of accepting double glazed units, instead of single plus gasket. Should be possible to determine by measuring. If so, "just" take the frames out, take them to your local glazier, and they will get units made up, and fit the units to your frames. I expect that if you look carefully at your frames, you will find that they are made in two parts, held together with screws and fishplates. If you do this, be very careful that the frames don't get slightly distorted. Measure and record the diagonal measurements. You can probably guess how I have experience of this. :D
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Yes they are two parts. I had to remove them to fit Threaded attachments for the storm boards. I know they'll accept double given 3 of my 9 windows are double glazed and all the frames are of the same design.
 
northcave said:
Yes they are two parts. I had to remove them to fit Threaded attachments for the storm boards. I know they'll accept double given 3 of my 9 windows are double glazed and all the frames are of the same design.
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Well, lucky you. Go and speak to a local glazier, that way you won't have to pay yottie prices.
 
As far as I know, it's always toughened glass. Can't remember the thicknesses, but it's quite hefty stuff. (On mine).
 
NormanS said:
As far as I know, it's always toughened glass. Can't remember the thicknesses, but it's quite hefty stuff. (On mine).
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Thank you.

In my ignorance, why not acrylic - I know nothing about it but I had always thought 'windows' for passengers in aircraft were both double glazed and 'plastic'. I know they are slightly smaller than most of our windows but....

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
In my ignorance, why not acrylic - I know nothing about it but I had always thought 'windows' for passengers in aircraft were both double glazed and 'plastic'. I know they are slightly smaller than most of our windows but....
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They're triple glazed on commercial jets, although the inner pane is cosmetic/protective and not sealed. The outer two are structural and I think now mainly acrylic or polycarbonate...apart from the little hole, of course, which isn't ;)
 
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