Plexiglass panels for RV screen door

[jtownstumpjumper]

Today, I installed plexiglass panels on the screen door of our WhiteHawk 30DSQB which will allow us to leave door open allowing more light into the trailer.....our 15 year old cat that travels with us enjoys laying in front of the screen door to look out but with hot summer weather and using the A/C that wasn't happening much.....panels can be removed without much difficulty if we desire on those days when we want just the screen door.

[norty1]

Nice addition. Could tell us the source and method of attachment. We did ours and would not have it any other way.

[Tunce the traveler]

Nice one, that's a good addition for the screen door. What thickness did you use?

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by norty1

Nice addition. Could tell us the source and method of attachment. We did ours and would not have it any other way.

Purchased .085 thickness plexiglass from Lowes....used straightedge and utility knife and cut to size and jig saw with fine blade for rounded corners.... allowing about 1/4" extra so they could be snapped into groove around the outer perimeter of the screen sections...used a small turn button purchased from Lowes on center section because there's no groove along center section to stick the Plexiglas in.....I placed a piece of 3/16" PVC tile cap moulding from Home Depot between the screen and plexiglass for support...just had it in my shop......don't know that it has to be there....hopefully closeup pic might show more.

[jtownstumpjumper]

More pics that might be helpful.....

[Threebutchers]

Nice work.....I like it. Tempting to try sometime as we never use our screen door.

[UPCamper]

I've been thinking about something like this for a while. Nice work!!

[robkelly]

Great job! Might have to try that on the bottom panel to "dog proof" it.

[Clayton4971]

Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper

Purchased .085 thickness plexiglass from Lowes....used straightedge and utility knife and cut to size and jig saw with fine blade for rounded corners.... allowing about 1/4" extra so they could be snapped into groove around the outer perimeter of the screen sections...used a small turn button purchased from Lowes on center section because there's no groove along center section to stick the Plexiglas in.....I placed a piece of 3/16" PVC tile cap moulding from Home Depot between the screen and plexiglass for support...just had it in my shop......don't know that it has to be there....hopefully closeup pic might show more.

Nice job , does the 3/16 PVC tile cap moulding come in brown?

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by Clayton4971

Nice job , does the 3/16 PVC tile cap moulding come in brown?

Have not seen the cap moulding in brown at our Home Depot.

[norty1]

Could you post a picture taken of the door from the outside? Trying to visualize how the PVC Cap looks from that angle.

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by norty1

Could you post a picture taken of the door from the outside? Trying to visualize how the PVC Cap looks from that angle.

It's about 3/4 " wide and simply is laying between the plexiglass and screen to give it a little body and support around the edges.....like I said earlier you might not even need it in there but I had it in my shop and cut it on 45 degrees and laid it in there....

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by norty1

Could you post a picture taken of the door from the outside? Trying to visualize how the PVC Cap looks from that angle.

Here's another one near the top where the curved part is.....little more involved since you can't do a 45.....used a small strip if Velcro to hold the moulding piece in place.

[Little Shack]

Originally Posted by robkelly

Great job! Might have to try that on the bottom panel to "dog proof" it.

Us too....2 dogs who scratch the door to go out = ripped screen PDQ. Bottom 1/2 will be getting done for sure. Thanks for the idea, photos, wisdom...

[etex211]

I got some material from Lowe's and made some screen door windows for my camper. I was not happy with the result....

So I contacted Challenger Door and bought the framed windows from them. The windows were only $25, but they had to charge me another $20 to pack them in a crate, and shipping was $40. So they were about $85.

Interesting to note: One of the guys from Challenger Door told me that Jayco special orders ALL of their doors with the window hardware in place, but without windows. It seems like the windows would be standard on the higher end fifth wheels (mine is a Jayco Eagle), but they are not. I don't know if you can even order them from Jayco as an option.

In general, I have found that all of the parts vendors for the camper manufacturers are easy to deal with.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by etex211

Interesting to note: One of the guys from Challenger Door told me that Jayco special orders ALL of their doors with the window hardware in place, but without windows.

Our door has the turn buttons installed. Too hot here in Texas to even think about having only a storm door, would be nice in the cooler month tho (yes, singular month).

[edatlanta]

I would be concerned about added weight to the screen door. I know that plexiglas is heavy. What thickness did you use?

[norty1]

He posted .085 plex. In a early post. Sure hope that and all the other hardware doesn't cause it to sag.
I always caution strangers coming in not to use the door for any support. Many grands never remember it very long.

[jtownstumpjumper]

The DW and I both think the little extra weight from the added .085 plexiglass panels, the bottom grille, and the push bar has given the screen more rigidity with no sagging at all that was noticed...door is still aligned perfectly for closer....IMO the screen door was flimsy prior to these installations.....however what worked for us is no guarantee for anyone else's door.....btw, just came back from 3 days with two 8 year old grandkids.....it survived that initial test very well.

[edatlanta]

I missed the .085 thickness in the earlier post. I just know that plexiglas is heavy. I have the removable clear panels on my door, but they definitely are not anything proof, but wind and rain. But I don't have small children or pets so I can't blame anyone but me if I puncture one.