Van window installation
Bonded factory-look glass, clamp-ring T-vents and sliders, and double-pane acrylic RV windows. Cut clean, edges primed, sealed and water-tested.
Matching the window to your van
Windows change how a van feels more than almost anything. A typical job for us is three or four fixed glass windows on a new Sprinter: both back doors, the sliding door and the driver-side forward panel, with trim kits and adhesives. On Transits we often fit Van-Tek sliding windows with a fly screen and blind, and we add bunk windows by the bed.
Windows are made for a specific van generation (Sprinter NCV3 2007 to 2018 or VS30 2019 on, Transit, ProMaster), side and position, so step one is matching the right window to your van. Step two is picking a style, because bonded, clamp-ring and acrylic windows look and behave very differently.
Section through a bonded window at the body opening. Clamp-ring windows replace the urethane with an exterior frame and an interior clamp ring torqued evenly around the opening.
- 1Glass single or double pane, glass or acrylic
- 2Urethane or sealant bead continuous, no gaps
- 3Primed cut edge bare steel sealed against rust
- 4Body panel cut with a shear, deburred
- 5Insulation refit around the frame
- 6Interior trim finishes the opening
The three kinds of van window
| Type | Examples | Look | Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonded glass | AM Auto, VWD, Van-Tek, CRL bonded | Flush, factory look with black frit border | Urethane and primer; can reuse factory cut-outs |
| Clamp-ring glass | CRL FW series T-vents, Motion Windows | Slightly raised frame | Gasket and inner trim ring, no urethane |
| Double-pane acrylic | Arctic Tern (Tern Overland), Dometic S4 | RV style, built-in blind and screen | Inner frame ring, best on framed walls |
Bunk windows are usually a roughly 10 x 33 in half-slider placed by the bed.
How we do it
Match the window
Generation, side and position confirmed, and the window checked against ribs, wiring and anything already built.
Cut
Template taped and cut with a sheet-metal shear for a clean edge without hammering the panel.
Treat every edge
Bare cut metal primed so the opening can't rust.
Set and seal
Bonded windows go in with primer and urethane and cure before driving. Clamp-ring windows get an evenly torqued trim ring.
Water test and trim
Hose test, then insulation and interior trim refit around the frame.
What to know before you buy
Factory look or RV look
Bonded glass looks factory. Acrylic RV windows insulate better and include blinds, but look like an RV.
Winter heat loss
Single-pane glass loses heat in a Utah winter. Double-pane acrylic or insulated covers help.
Windows and flares
Flares replace the rear quarter windows and take their own Flarespace-sized windows. Plan both together.
Cure time
Bonded windows need their urethane's safe drive-away time before the van moves.
Questions about window installs
Can you put windows in after my van is built?
Yes. We pull the wall panels and insulation in that spot, install, and put everything back.
Will it leak?
Not when it's primed, sealed and cured properly. Every window is water-tested before you leave.
Glass or acrylic?
Glass is tougher and factory-looking. Acrylic is double pane and insulates better, but scratches more easily.
How long does it take?
Three or four windows usually take one to two days.
Get a window quote
Send a few details and we will call you back with ideas, options and a ballpark.
- 6771 Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City
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