Aluminium window frames

[Dustydog]

Just back from a chilly week away in the new Wyoming. I think progress in manufacture and design is going backwards.

The internal aluminium window frames attract condensation like a moth to a bulb. Never had this problem with the Pageant which had the more common frames.

Why do manufacturers haev to fix something that works well????

Cheers

Alan

 

[Conquerorman]

Totally agree, had the same problem on 2 Swift Challengers.

These windows are not suitable for winter caravanning.

 

[Alex_374296729]

Do these aluminium framed windows only exist with the more expensive vans? If there is a problem is Swift looking into it?

Alex

 

[Alex_374296729]

Sorry, no pun intended.

Alex

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Alex

I see what you say!

I hope Bailey and Swift say something. Now we have to use more paper towells to wipe off the condensation. Personally I don't think it adds to the looks anyway.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi everyone, i have the new sterling elite onyx. we have just come back from a week away in dorset. i agree about the aluminium windows but after 2/3 nights this settled down and we kept the inside the of the van at about 20 degrees. also we put clothes in the rear cupboards above the bed and there was condensation in there aswell i dont know if this was because there was wood in there. the same again after 2/3 nights this also settled down. i dont know if this will happen on every trip we will have to wait and see.

we might be going away for a weekend soon so ill keep you posted on this.

thanks

jo-anne

 

[Conquerorman]

Hi, Jo Anne i have read your post . With due respect we caravan in the north of scotland where the tempretures are far lower than Dorset. The aluminium windows condensate so badly that the water is running down the interior walls by morning.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Jo-anne. I'd have a word with Swift about the condensation in the top lockers. That shouldn't happen.

Seems to me the aluminium frames are not what we caravanners want. We use ours all year and like John have spent many a night in snow and freezing conditions. The Pageant windows were never a problem but the new ally ones are!

Do you think Bailey and Swift will do a retro fit for frames more suitable to all year touring??? Just dreaming.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hiya, if the windows and bed lockers get condensation in the or on then everytime we go away then would it cause a problem with damp in the future?.

jo-anne

 

[Dustydog]

Jo-anne

Whichever way you look at it condensation or damp in a caravan is a no no. In the lockers you are likely to get damp mildew clothes and at worst over a period of time a musty smell.

Hopefully some replies from Bailey and Swift will be forthcoming next week.

Is there anyone else out there with this problem with another manufacturers caravan?

Cheers

Alan

 

[Royston]

We had a 98 pageant where in the autumn months the front windows used to have a lot of condensation on them, used to open them and dry them from the outside found it a lot eassier out of the way of the curtains.

When we saw the revised pageant vendee with the fixed bed in front, was amazed to see that unlike the continental vans, which all have a insulated plain front , they still fitted the three windows, the thought of climbing over the bed to wipe the windows

was a no go, now you have the plus of the alum windows dripping

thank goodness our good sense stopped the thoughts of buying one,

pity really because we did like the rear lounge.

 

[RichardS1]

We have had aluminium windows in our last two vans and don't really seem to get anymore condensation in winter than we did in vans with traditional style windows. We do however try to leave as many windows as possible on the night lock setting to allow fresh air to circulate. Aluminium frames have also been fitted to higher spec Swift and Bailey vans for over four years now.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

richard we also found that leaving the fixed bed window open about 2" it wasnt as stuffy in the morning and maybe that helped with less condensation.

however i will keep my eye on the rear lockers but as i said earlier after 2/3 days this settled down.

jo-anne

 

[RichardS1]

Hi jo-anne

Remember reading in the information pack when we got our Spectrum that when you first use the van there will be more moisture in the van due to the van being built. Looks like that is why your problem with the lockers cleared up after a couple of nights. If that was the reason you should not have any further problems.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

thanks richard you have been a great help but i will keep my eye on it for a while just to be safe. my in laws said the same as you and they have been caravanning for 30 odd years.

thanks again

jo-anne

 

[Dustydog]

My concern with the ally frames is when the van is stored. I expect the condensation will still happen and I wont be there to wipe it off. Gradually all that water will drip down and cause mould to grow and even damage our curtains.

I remember my mum using silica gel packs years ago to stave off the condensation. Maybe now's the time to think of our own cures.

I just can't see Bailey or Swift helping here. Think of the cost!

Cheers

Alan

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

alan, i thought swift would have replied by now but then i remembered that the caravan show is on in birmingham so they will all be there.

maybe a couple of them moisture traps wouldnt go a miss

jo-anne

 

[Dustydog]

Jo-anne

Going by the previous reaction Swift are more likely to answer first. If Bailey answer here it really be a first! Forgot about the show.

By moisture traps are you thinking of those clth type strips? I wonder if there is anything more permanent we could stick on the frames to avoid the problem but still not ruining the asthetic look.

Cheers

Alan

 

[RichardS1]

Hi Alan.

I would not worry about condensation forming on the windows when the van is in storage, I frequently check our van in the storage compound and have never seen window condensation when the van is left in storage.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Just to let you know that I have read your post about the aluminium framed windows. We do not normally get complaints about condensation with these windows, it tends to be misting in the front windows.

I need to ask other people, so I will come back to you.

I am at the NEC show this week on the motorhome stand. I also have Lynsey working on the caravan stand until the weekend and then it will be Amy.

You are welcome to join us for a coffee and a chat.

I am still trying to monitor the forum whilst down here, not sure how much time I will have but I will do my best.

Regards

Kath

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

alan no i meant the moisture traps or damp boxes but onlu whilst in storage.

i cant explain im having a thick day.

jo-anne

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

kath, i had alot of condensation and water at the bottom of the aliminium frames i had to use alot of kitchen roll to mop it up. i didnt have this problem with my last van.

also i had condensation in the two rear lockers above the fixed bed. it did get better after 2/3 nights but will this happen everytime we go away.

jo-anne

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks for the reply Kath.

It is not the windows but specifically the aluminium frames which attract the condensation.

Look forward to your next reply.

Cheers

Alan

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi

Condensation is the result of relatively warm moist air coming into contact with a colder surface.

Aluminium needs more heat energy to warm it up than the other inside panels and plastic fittings, so it stay cold for longer. It therefore remains cooler than the rest of the caravan and the air inside, which makes it more likely to collect condensation.

Another factor, is that is conducts heat much better than the other materials used in the construction.

It was a continual problem for caravaners in the 1960 through to the mid seventies, when aluminium was the usual construction for window and door frames. The aluminium formed the whole frame, so it was exposed to the outside elements and thermally connected to the inside surfaces, a recipe for condensation. I have not seen the new versions but if there is no thermal barrier built into the frame then this is a real retrograde step.

Sadly the is not much you can do about it, apart from ventilation, or upping the internal temperature a great deal.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

We have spoken to Polyplastics agent in the UK, they have confirmed that there is a cold bridge designed into the aluminium section to stop thermal transfer from the outside of the window but even with this condensation may still form if warm moist air touching on the cold surface of the inner frame to form condensation. Additional ventilation and using the night latches will help with this.

Regards

Kath