Watching how hard this is I would definitely recommend just having the panel manufacturer just cut all openings with the CNC router if the service is available.
Yes, I totally agree. It's what I wanted yet wasn't available at the time to me. Also, if you have your windows and doors before glueing up the wall panels into the box, and know the positions for them, they can be cut while the panels are laying horizontal and then glued up into the box. But they were several months late at arriving, and the instructions and exact dimensions were not available even though requested at the time the box was glued up, so had to build the box and cut these holes later.
Ha! I tend to measure three to ten times and hopefully just cut once, but sometimes I do get excited and start building without spending a little more time contemplating the options because I usually do more than enough of that.
Yes, I agree that the MAD windows and other products do seem very high quality. Other hight quality windows are from KCT and Outbound yet difficult to get. Tern Overland also produces from good products.
No, Total Composites will not cut openings in their panels. It would make it much easier if they did yet I understand the challenges of them doing it and shipping them, etc. It would be nice if that service became available. It's possible that Global Expedition Vehicles--now part of StoryTeller--may do that as part of selling their panels.
Well, I like many things about the Tern Overland windows. But I wanted a window that was nearly flush to the exterior wall of the camper instead of protruding (the Tern windows protrude about 1.5"), and what I felt was better insulated with double-paned glass and a very nice and robust fiberglass frame, there should be no thermal transfer via the frame, and minimal from the glass. The benefit of glass (and flush to the exterior) should be a lack of scratches and better light transmission and visual quality over time.
Another consideration that drove a decision was the skylights, as the Tern Overland skylights extend more than 5" above the roof, which I really needed to keep height down (see my video "is my camper too tall"). These MAD skylights (video on these too) only extend about 2" above the roof. I also wanted a larger entry door than Tern offers--both slightly wider but several inches taller since I have to considerably duck thru their tallest door, so since I was ordering and shipping skylights and entry door in this case from England, I might as well as buy their windows too, and I really liked the look and seeming quality of the MAD windows, door and skylight. Now having them, I can attest they are very nice quality.
Watching how hard this is I would definitely recommend just having the panel manufacturer just cut all openings with the CNC router if the service is available.
Yes, I totally agree. It's what I wanted yet wasn't available at the time to me. Also, if you have your windows and doors before glueing up the wall panels into the box, and know the positions for them, they can be cut while the panels are laying horizontal and then glued up into the box. But they were several months late at arriving, and the instructions and exact dimensions were not available even though requested at the time the box was glued up, so had to build the box and cut these holes later.
And I always thought it was Measure once and cut twice. Whoops ! 😁👍🤙😉
Ha! I tend to measure three to ten times and hopefully just cut once, but sometimes I do get excited and start building without spending a little more time contemplating the options because I usually do more than enough of that.
MAD windows seem top tier, are there any other manufacturers that you considered of similar quality?
Yes, I agree that the MAD windows and other products do seem very high quality. Other hight quality windows are from KCT and Outbound yet difficult to get. Tern Overland also produces from good products.
Will Total Composites cut the window openings before shipping the panels?
No, Total Composites will not cut openings in their panels. It would make it much easier if they did yet I understand the challenges of them doing it and shipping them, etc. It would be nice if that service became available. It's possible that Global Expedition Vehicles--now part of StoryTeller--may do that as part of selling their panels.
What was your thinking behind those windows vs another brand? Say the ones that total composites use? Thanks
Well, I like many things about the Tern Overland windows. But I wanted a window that was nearly flush to the exterior wall of the camper instead of protruding (the Tern windows protrude about 1.5"), and what I felt was better insulated with double-paned glass and a very nice and robust fiberglass frame, there should be no thermal transfer via the frame, and minimal from the glass. The benefit of glass (and flush to the exterior) should be a lack of scratches and better light transmission and visual quality over time.
Another consideration that drove a decision was the skylights, as the Tern Overland skylights extend more than 5" above the roof, which I really needed to keep height down (see my video "is my camper too tall"). These MAD skylights (video on these too) only extend about 2" above the roof. I also wanted a larger entry door than Tern offers--both slightly wider but several inches taller since I have to considerably duck thru their tallest door, so since I was ordering and shipping skylights and entry door in this case from England, I might as well as buy their windows too, and I really liked the look and seeming quality of the MAD windows, door and skylight. Now having them, I can attest they are very nice quality.