Prep for Window Installation [Day 12]

Make Window Screens

Window screen material is available in rolls of 10-100 feet. You can buy it online or get it at a hardware store. A standard household screen is held in place with a strip of rubber that is wedged into place in a specially designed slot in the frame, using a tool that looks kind of like a pizza cutter.

Austin noticed that our junkyard van windows had a similar sized groove around the outside, so he gave it a shot.To add a screen, you rough cut the screen material to 2-3″ too large all around and use some painters tape to hold it roughly in place over the opening that you’re screening. While the tape is maintaining tension, use the pizza cutter tool to shove the rubber strip into the groove. A screwdriver works well if you don’t have this tool. You’ll want to start at one corner and move towards the opposite corner (i.e. top left to bottom right) to prevent bunching.

You will need to cut the rubber strip and the excess screen material out with the razor blade. However, no additional adhesive is necessary to hold the screen in place.

Prep for Window Install

We wanted to install the windows today, but it rained off and on all day. Turns out, we had a bit more prep than anticipated anyway. Tomorrow’s weather should be better, so we’ll put the windows in then!

The first step to prep for the install was to make a template for the windows. I found the largest piece of cardboard possible and then traced around the part of the window that would be sitting inside the hole that we cut in the side of the van (not the metal flange/trim).

Then I cut it out. At first, I tried to cut it with scissors but quickly switched to a utility knife. I made sure to layer another piece of cardboard beneath to prevent cutting through to the concrete floor of the garage and dulling my blade.

Then we took the templates out to the van and checked out what they would look like. We also eyeballed where we want to install them (but didn’t trace them yet).

Then, since these windows are made for a much thicker truck (a step truck), we had to build custom wood frames to hold the window in to the van. Austin cut the wooden frames, then together we wood glued and screwed them together. Now we’re ready to install the windows tomorrow! Fingers crossed on the weather!

Maxxair Fan

The maxxair fan was delivered today, and Austin was so excited that he pulled it out of the box while I was away for a second. The box was damaged, but fan is new and not damaged. That’s a pretty awesome deal for Amazon Warehouse! We saved at least $30 (or much more if you look at the current prices of the fan, which vary from $300 to $600 depending on the seller. Demand must be super high right now.

I read a bit about the installation process, and measured out the spot we will be installing the fan on the roof. There is already a small space with an out-dented circle and it is the perfect size for the fan, so we will be installing it there.

Wash the van

While not glamorous, this task really needed to be done. We wanted to wash the roof of the van before installing the fan. So I (Becky) grabbed a ladder (man that van is TALL) and started scrubbing. I don’t know if that roof was ever cleaned before because damn it was dirty. But it was satisfying to clean. I could only get the ladder on one side of the roof, so I used a mop to reach the other side and clean it the best I could.

 

Research Insulation

I started doing research on insulation for the van. I read some of FarOutRide’s comprehensive guides on things like condensation and insulation. They say that thinsulate is the best option, however I am pretty sure it is expensive. I still need to price it out, which I’ll do tomorrow. The next task after fan and window install is insulation, so we need to be prepared to pick it up or order it very soon.

 

More Time to Work On the Van

Also, something changed in our lives that means that we will have a little more time to work on the van (yay!). So, we’re going to be accelerating our build as much as possible. Besides that, we have amazing momentum going right now, and we’re actually thinking with some longer days that it might be possible to finish the van by Halloween!

9/10/2020

Build Day #12

Hours Worked: 15

• Becky – 3
• Austin – 12
• Total Project Hours: 132

Money Spent: $18

• 100 stainless steel sheet metal screws (Lowes) – $11
• Clear silicone adhesive (Lowes) – $7
• Total Project Spending: $18,356

Tasks Complete: 2

• Install window screens
• Build window frames
• Wash van

Questions Googled: 1

• Best, cost effective van conversion insulation

 

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