Windows breaking with tradition.(bad pun)

[Deleted]

Ok Groovers.

We have seen hundreds of vans on this site under "members Photo albums" and most, If not all have the hinges on the top and swing open from the bottom... correct yes /No... yes i thought so. doesnt matter if the windows are timber. alloy or fibreglass framed.. all seem to hinge from the top.

As part of the restoration of "Mildred" I have removed all the timber framed window and timber framed /brass gauze fly screens.
while sanding 'em back to almost bare oregon i got to thinking why not break from the traditional "Hinged at the top" style and hinge them from one side like a cupboard door or the windows on old federation houses???.
True..... van builders probably fitted the windows the traditional way so that they could remain open in light showers etc and shed water off while still allowing for cool breezes to enter the van up under the window.... down side maybe is that the hinge out window will scoop in heat as it rises from the ground

So... me being the ever inventive type i am sat in the shed of invention and pondered the question: Would i not get a better flow of air through the van with a side hinged window that could be opened fully like an old shutter against the outside of the van???

No big deal in doing this as unlike houses the fly screens on a van are on the inside of the window and are easily hinged up out of the way to grab hold of the window and close it. (hmm opportunity to side hinge flyscreens as well)
Obviuosly the weatherproofing will be effected in heavy downpours if i dont get to the window and close it in time. But i feel there may be some advantages to be had by the windows being able to be fully opened on hot days /nights .
I could also little awnings over the window to help counter the problem of the ingress of errant water. Only need to stick out of the sides about 50mm


I can hear the shrieks of horror from the purists as i type. But " i am i " and i enjoy challenging the norm. I will give it some further consideration and invite those budding constructors ( and critisisers) to air thier thoughts on yet another reveal.....revvii.. revillatu... another ground breaking idea from the shed of invention.
Keith Watsyahead ..eat ya heart out

Hang on ... is that my old man "Albert Steptoe the died in the wool restorer i see coming this way waving a long length of stripped willow at me... 'Scuse me folks i gotta run before i get a good woopin'


Reddo... Theory on life: "If we all thought the same and looked the same.....well then we wouldnt be individuals .. now would we".;D ;D ;D ;D

[hwyman]

Hey reddo why not make a frame within the original frame that opens sideways (Federation style) that way you get to choose in good or bad weather what suit 's you best ;D


Hwyman.

[cobber]

You asked for it arold

Ya wrong.......... again,

Windows on Ol' 36 hinge from the trailing edge (front side windows) and from the leading edge (rear side windows). LOUSY IDEA !!!..... THAT WAS BACK IN 1936.

Most makers learn from the mistakes of others, why don't you, eh?

RESTORE IT......... ONLY MODIFY IT (SOMETIMES) IF IT'S TO IMPROVE IT.

Albert Esq.

[Deleted]

Hi Hwyman

Have sent you a life membership to the shed of invention guild. I like the way you think.
;D

Hi Albert...... I could RESTORE IT but... "It" would end up looking like the other 10,000 that where made before it and after it. How do you think Mildred will feel if she wakes up from the anethetic.. annastest... aneathi... ummmmmm from the ether and chloroform to find that after spending $5000 on a face lift she still looks like "Plain old boring Jane" ( My apologys to all the plain old janes reading this i am sure you are very nice people) that left the production line before her and after her. I mean to say .. who wants to look at 10,000 wrinkley wood rotted old sisters all the same

Nup... I think i will leave the bog stockers to those that may be lacking in extrovert chromazones. I promise i wont do anything too radical to the old Mildred. Perhaps a bit of a risque paint job might do the trick....... flames... moon eyes.. ocean and earth.. peace and love signs . ;D That'll get the old Mildred feelin pretty hip and frisky again ... gad wat.

Whats that you say .. you hate me...... aaawwww come on dad.
Side opening windows will make life for the pee wees and willy wagtails just soooooo much easier. and with the wingnut windows hanging out the side she will look like Prince Charles's love child. ;D ;D ;D


Your luvin' son 'Arold

[cornishlass]

Hey Reddo

I have three styles on my van. The two end bay windows open in the classic window style, ie side opening, and the rest on the van sides open from the top. On the lantern roof the two there open inwards with the hinge at the bottom. What a selection. Fortunately for us in the UK screens are not necessary as the amount of little bugs (of the insect variety) do not warrant it.

With regard to ventilation, you are quite correct, with having the windows opening at the side a greater amount of thru' flo can be achieved, a bonus sometimes even here in cold and damp Cornwall.



Cornish Lass

[Deleted]

Hi Cornish Lass

Your van is looking great. Give yourself a pat on the back. Well done.

Aaaahhh I have another Allie Cobber .
And whats more Cornish Lass has " LEADLIGHT BAY WINDOWS" that hinge from the side. now theres a concept i have overlooked.

It leaves scope for fitting planter boxes under the window and growing multi coloured violets etc.... Coooooooooool and.. Very Period

Now wheres my drawing board and slide rule... This is one IMPROVEMENT i am going to enjoy installing.... Maybe a bit of parsley, rosemary, thyme ..... Just open the kitchen window and pluck out what spices ya wanna add to tonights meal....Bloody bewdy mate.
or hows about a coupla 6 foot sunflowers growing outta the planter boxes
.... ummm hang on . .. then i wouldnt be able to get my side opening windows to open.
Nup... just gunna havta be short plants. ;D

Good to see you back on the forum Cornish Lass. Hope this message finds you fit and well .. or at least on the mend.

Reddo

[cobber]

Hey KB.... You modified my post, can't help yourself can you ?

Good to see you here again Cornishlass (loved your “punch” cartoon on that other thread)

Now look 'ere 'arold.... I can go one better than the 'lass, I have four different styles on Ol' 36, the two mentioned above, the two top hinged windows at the front of the 'van and, due to the builders uncontrollable urge to make something stylish and unique the “no window” arrangement at the rear of the ' van.

The disadvantage of the side opening windows is that when they are open people smash their whole face into the glass sometimes breaking the glass and the stays that hold the window open... expensive .

Top hinged windows, when open, strike careless people only with the corner of the timber frame, causing no damage to the glass or frame, that's why that system has become the standard.

Just do a good job of restoration mate, be an individual, the mob go in for modification.

Cob.

[Deleted]

Hi Cobblefossil ;D

"The disadvantage of the side opening windows is that when they are open people smash their whole face into the glass sometimes breaking the glass and the stays that hold the window open... expensive ."

I trust you have evidence to support this half baked theory of yours Not a problem for the "Vertically challenged types" from W.A that frequent Kennedy caravans. They just breeze straight under the window

"Just do a good job of restoration mate, be an individual, the mob go in for modification."

Oh alright .. grizzle ... grumble...moan .. spit and cuss......I will be an intravert and be lead by the individual masses... Jeeeeezz there is an oxymoron/contradiction of terms
Ya gawn and got me all confused now..... where was i .... oh thats right ... customising/ modifying... Gotta go and yank the indicators off old Mildred and bung on one of those flash stripey council barrier boards with nice new Narva lamps.... thanks for the cool customising tip me old " Hot rodding China plate'.
Hell i might even lash out and put some southern cross stars on the side of her ;D or... or.. or.... fit an annexe on it with the clips in the wrong place.........Oooops we arent allowed to discuss that in public are we just a tad embarassing eh dad.;D ;D ;D

Tell mum to get a baked meal started i will be home around 6.00pm. You better have a couple of Tooheys Draught longneck "King Browns" in the fridge for me too
..Its been a big day and i am as thirsty as a poorly tune Ford motor .

Your errant offspring
'Arold esq

[cornishlass]

Hey Reddo,

I have been thinking about this window business (bit of a strain, but there you go ) I can see Cobber's point about the side opening windows being a nuiscence (from the head banging point of view) and expensive to replace.

Presumably that is the reason why only the front and back windows are the only ones on mine that are side opening. If you knocked your head on the front one - then that's your fault for climbing over the drawbar - should have more sense. And there aren't that many reasons why you should go behind the van (unless you have too many Tooheys and have to relieve yourself (no loo remember)). In which case it serves you right for being an old fart with no bladder control ;D

Cornish Lass

[Roehm3108]

Jeeeeezzzeeee Reddo, if you're gonna be inventive, do it proper without risking life and limb with protruding windows. Whether they be top hinged or side hinged, you're still gonna have the same two problems alluded to by some of the intelligenzia. Firstly, you will still hit your noggin when they are open - for me, the scourge of caravanning on accounta my bifocals and cap, and secondly, I doubt whether one way or the other will improve your airflow (except perhaps if you leave them open when towing )
Why dontcha do some lateral thinking and make the windows go laterally. In other words, make sliding windows. Remember the old kitchen cupboards that had glass in the top sections, sometime wooden framed, and then had a sliding track with ballbearings fitted to make them roll better? That way you can select which side of the window you want the breeze to come in through, and no busted noggins at night (or daytime if it comes to that).
You also mentioned Narva lights. Have you considered LED lights instead . I have added them to the licorice allsorts - tail, number plate (even got one over the Propert sign) and clearance lights, just to let people know how low the van is at night. Looks grouse. Next Christmas I'll just hook the van up to the car and park it in the front with the lights on and win the local Christmas lights competition ;D ;D ;D
Ray