CarolB Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thinking of fitting windows into the side hatch to allow more light in when it's too cold to open the hatch doors. Can this be done easily and are there any issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 Why not have just a glass sheet that you insert when the hatch is open? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolB Posted May 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 That's exactly what we have at present, But the acrylic gets scratched, not great when wet or cold and when removed we loose the light. I would really like to get more light on a permanent basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 I'm just about to make a panel using some wooden batons and a piece of perspex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 23 minutes ago, Rob-M said: I'm just about to make a panel using some wooden batons and a piece of perspex. What about using laminated glass do it won't scratch easily? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 These glass casements pin back like side hatches but pin back inside behind side hatch. (Mirror glass optional). Plus we have a solid one piece removable glass in frame casement on another hatch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Smith Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 It would be a fairly easy job to do, cut out your openings with a jig saw or angle grinder give the measurements to a window maker and seal and screw in. I did the same in my bow doors. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detling Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 1 hour ago, CarolB said: That's exactly what we have at present, But the acrylic gets scratched, not great when wet or cold and when removed we loose the light. I would really like to get more light on a permanent basis. Brasso works wonders with a bit of elbow grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Robbo said: What about using laminated glass do it won't scratch easily? Laminated glass is about strength, not scratch resistance. There are various grades of acrylic which can also increase the scratch resistance, but it sounds like the OP has an acrylic sheet and has other issues with it besides it scratching. I'm interested in this because I'm planning to add a removable acrylic sheet, but Carol B appears to want something rather more substantial having tried that approach. Mark99's solution looks more substantial, but I can't make out quite how the 'pin back' feature works. Nice look though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: Mark99's solution looks more substantial, but I can't make out quite how the 'pin back' feature works. Nice look though. Look to the right of the windows in the last shot. You can see the hook hanging down that I presume holds the right hand window open. 16 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: Laminated glass is about strength, not scratch resistance. But it's much more scratch resistant than acrylic and is just about as safe. Edited May 6, 2017 by WotEver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 7 minutes ago, WotEver said: But it's much more scratch resistant than acrylic and is just about as safe. Also looks and "feels" better, and as it's glass you are more likely to treat it with more care even tho it will be hard to break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 6 minutes ago, WotEver said: But it's much more scratch resistant than acrylic and is just about as safe. Yes, I see now that the point was probably that glass has better scratch resistance and Robbo added the laminate bit for safety, rather than suggesting that the lamination provides the scratch resistance. Apologies to Robbo for that misunderstanding. I also agree the point he added whilst I was typing about the look of glass.it is nicer, although there are more expensive acrylics which bring clarity and scratch resistance. It certainly sounds like something incorporating framing, possibly hinging too, is what the OP is after though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starman Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 2 hours ago, CarolB said: That's exactly what we have at present, But the acrylic gets scratched, not great when wet or cold and when removed we loose the light. I would really like to get more light on a permanent basis. We use proper Perspex which hardly scratches at all compared with acrylic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 19 minutes ago, starman said: We use proper Perspex which hardly scratches at all compared with acrylic. Ummm... Perspex IS acrylic. https://perspex.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 We used a polycarbonate cut to size with bolts and handles then screwed on. It hasn't gone opaque and has resisted scratching. Was a bit pricier but worth it in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Jordan Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 The easy way is to have a secondary internal frame made with a pair of doors glazed with laminated glass ready hung in it. The tricky part is ensuring that the Internal doors are weather proof if you intend to allow them to get rained on. The internal doors can be folded back to the internal linings and secured with turn buttons when a clear opening is required. None of the plastics materials are really proof against scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starman Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 7 hours ago, WotEver said: Ummm... Perspex IS acrylic. https://perspex.com/ Point taken but we used to use those sheets of clear plastic found in DIY sheds which all scratched very easily and badly. Since buying proper capital P Perspex our screens are virtually scratch free after three years. We have three (front and sides) and put them in every time we moor. The advantage of simple sheets over framed hinged inner windows (apart from cost) is that you can leave them in place when it rains as they sit outside the steel. Hinged inner wjndows obviously sit inside and are more prone to rain dring in round them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starman Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) Here's a pic looking out through the front one tonight Edited May 6, 2017 by starman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 1 hour ago, starman said: we used to use those sheets of clear plastic found in DIY sheds which all scratched very easily and badly. My guess is that they're polycarbonate. It's stronger than acrylic but scratches more easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustydiver Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) I just had a piece off perspex cut to size, a few retaining clips draught excluder behind it. Fits in perfect. Amazing how much more light comes in. Its the first thing we do when we go to the boat open the hatch and fit the window. For £20 what it cost i don't mind in 18 months if i have to get a new bit cut. It was a secondary glazing kit. Came with the edging strip and clips. i just cut the clips down to make them thinner. https://www.twplastics.co.uk/ProductView/2043/easyfix-window-kits Edited May 6, 2017 by rustydiver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolB Posted May 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 Thanks for all the comments and advice, loved the casements, but sadly the galley is fitted up to one edge so no opportunity to fit anything that opens in. Really want to install glass into existing hatch, not only will we get light all the time but it will also avoid having to carry and slot in a filler panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip King Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 You just need to measure how big you want the windows and get someone to cut the holes and have a window company make the windows to size and then fit them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustydiver Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) The problem we have if i can't remove the panel i can't close the hatch of lock it so a catch 22 situation. Its so thin mine slides behind the radiator to keep it there. Whoops sorry just read to fit in the existing hatch. Edited May 6, 2017 by rustydiver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip King Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 kedian engineering do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolB Posted May 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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