How to make the right window choices for motorhomes and windows for campervans?
Need to bring more light or ventilation inside your campervan or motorhome? Windows for campervans and motorhomes, also called windows for campervan and motorhome, not only improve brightness and ventilation but also play an important aesthetic and functional role when you travel.
However, choosing a window for a campervan or motorhome must be well thought out: several criteria, options, and models on the market deserve your attention.
In this article, you will discover the essential points to properly choose your motorhome window or window for campervan (plus a little 🎁 special gift hidden in the article)
This practical guide will accompany you step by step through the selection process.
The Vanlife Store expert team offers advice on interior layout and creating openings, feel free to ask us for advice or explore our selection of windows for campervans and motorhomes at the best prices.
Why plan the layout before choosing a window?
Before even choosing a window, it is essential to think about the interior layout of your vehicle. Determining the space organization will help you choose the right window placement. For example:
- You might prefer a window above the cooking area for better ventilation.
- Lowering the bed level to install a higher opening
- Installing a window at the rear could offer a magnificent view as soon as you wake up.
- Avoid placing a window in an area that will be blocked by furniture or cabinets.
Once your needs are defined, it will be easier to determine the number, size, and type of windows suitable for your van.
Feeling lost? Don’t worry, choosing and installing windows is much easier than you might think. Feel free to check our installation tutorial or ask our experts for advice!
Have you determined your needs and locations? Now let's move on to the types of openings!
How to choose a suitable window for your Campervan or Motorhome?
Windows and windows for Campervans: we prefer push windows! (except behind the sliding door)
Many people wonder whether to install push windows or sliding windows on their Campervans.
The answer is simple: we always recommend installing push windows whenever possible, except on the part covered by the sliding door.
The reason for choosing a sliding window on the right rear panel is that forgetting a push window open there risks damaging it when opening the sliding door (which happens more often than you think).
As for push windows, they offer many advantages as you will see below
Sliding windows - A good choice in some cases
Ideal if you are looking for a window that does not protrude from the vehicle and remains discreet.
- Advantages : Wind resistance, can be fully opened during trips, available in double acrylic glazing.
- Recommendation : Perfect for mixed use between travel and stationary stays.
Push windows - The best window for Campervan!
With an outward tilting opening, these windows allow excellent ventilation even in the rain, as well as maximum opening to enjoy the views.
- Advantages: Maximum opening, possibility to open partially during travel, adaptable to all weather conditions.
- Applications: Depending on the size, can be installed on the side door, rear doors, above a kitchen for ventilation, in a bathroom, etc...
- Fully installed with its interior frame including mosquito net and blackout blind, it will provide maximum comfort with the possibility to both Enjoy the views, Protect yourself from mosquitoes, Protect from light (for sleeping in, for example...), Maintain privacy when needed
Models in stock: Discover our complete push windows specially for Campervans at the best prices.
Unsure? or need information about installation steps? Ask our layout experts.
The choice of technical details for the window for Campervan and Motorhome
To maximize your comfort and privacy, several variables need to be considered:
-
The frame model: There are two main types of windows:
Hinged windows with rubber seal frame (Polyplastic, Plastoform, and Polyvision types) - not recommended:
These windows are often the models used on production vehicles (Possl, Hymer, Adria, etc.) They consist of a double-glazed acrylic window, fixed to the vehicle wall by a top hinge, and resting on the sheet metal. The interior structure is made of a wooden frame covered with rubber seal, on which the safety blocks are attached
Installing these windows can sometimes be difficult, and the absence of an aluminum frame sometimes reduces the strength of the installation The availability of spare parts can sometimes be limited
Windows for Campervan and motorhome with aluminium frame (Carbest, Dometic type) - strongly recommended:
These are Windows with aluminium frame and aluminium fixing sub-frame. The installed Window structure consists of 4 elements: the outer aluminium frame and the inner aluminium frame, which "sandwich" the van’s sheet metal and the inner wooden frame (the 2 aluminium frames are fixed together with self-drilling screws - supplied with our Window models). They can be sold alone or complete (with the finishing inner frame including blackout blind and mosquito net). They are easy to install - besides the supplied kit, only a jigsaw and a sealant adhesive like Sikaflex are needed.
-
Window tint: The choice of tint varies greatly depending on the needs of Vanlife enthusiasts. Windows with dark tint provide consistently reduced brightness (and potentially more privacy) while Windows with light tint allow more light to enter (and can also reduce brightness by deploying the mosquito net, for example).
- Type of glazing : For the choice of glazing, we strongly recommend opting for double acrylic glazing. Indeed, it represents the best choice in terms of insulation, safety (it does not shatter and is more resistant to impacts and break-ins), and also offers more options in terms of tint. It is also lighter, making it the best choice for a Window in a motorhome or Campervan.
Discover our selection of windows for motorhomes and campervans in double acrylic glazing from Vanlife-Store.
A damaged window to replace? Same size or different size?
When a window is damaged due to an accident or break-in, two options are available to the vehicle owner: replace with an identical size or with a slightly larger size.
-
Replacement with an identical size: ideal but sometimes complicated and costlyFinding an identical size push window can be complicated in some cases, especially for series campervans (such as Possl or Hymer) for which spare parts for push windows are sometimes rare or very expensive. Note: Polyplastic, Plastoform, and Polyvision windows can sometimes be difficult to find identical replacements for, depending on the original window size and the vehicle model year. In these cases, do not hesitate to contact us directly to check availability on order.
The good news is that often window sizes (defined by the size of the opening hole in the sheet metal) can be found in slightly different models.
Often the common size of windows is visible on the label. In this case, you need to check the window size and verify availability either in the original model or in a similar model (for example in push windows).
-
Replacement with a compatible size: often more economicalIn cases where the damaged window has a size for which spare parts are rare, it is entirely possible to replace the window with a compatible window. A compatible window is defined as a window whose height and width are greater than or equal to those of the damaged window opening. The replacement process therefore involves removing the existing damaged window and installing the new window, whose opening hole will be larger than the existing one (following a installation process as for a new opening).
Have doubts about how to replace a damaged window or about product compatibility? Or just need information on installation steps? Ask our conversion experts for advice.
Good to know: All our windows at Vanlife-Store are compatible with campervans and vans as well as motorhomes (unless otherwise indicated in the product descriptions).
Essential accessories for your windows
Complete your window installation with suitable equipment:
- Blackout blinds and mosquito nets for summer ventilation without mosquitoes. Frames sold separately or with the complete window
- Finishing seals: The window installation must be done with a sealant adhesive (which serves both as a fixing reinforcement through the adhesive effect, and for water tightness as a sealant). We recommend installation with Sikaflex 265
Don’t wait any longer to check out our dedicated accessories on Vanlife-Store.
Quick buying guide: What window size for my campervan?
Campervans and vans are divided into 3 main categories:
- Small class 1 vans (L1H1, L2H1): Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Vito, Peugeot Expert, Citroën Jumpy, etc.
- Class 2 vans (L2H2 and up): Fiat Ducato / Master and similar: including Peugeot Boxer / Citroën Jumper / Renault Master / Opel Movano / Nissan NV400
- Class 3 Vans: Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Iveco Daily, with L2H2 sizes comparable to L3H3 of class 2
Still not sure which one to choose? Here is a summary of the sizes we recommend for your vehicle:
- Small class 1 vans (L1H1, L2H1 - VW Transporter T5, Mercedes Vito, Peugeot Expert, etc.): Rear doors: Max height 45cm and max width 50cm Example of compatible windows: Window 500x300 or Window 500x450 Side door: Max height 45cm and max width 70cm Example of compatible windows: Window 700x400 Right rear panel (covered by sliding door) Max height 45cm and max width 70cm Example of compatible windows: Sliding window 700x400 or Sliding window 550x320
- Class 2 vans (L2H2 and above - Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Renault Master, etc.) : Rear doors: Max height 55cm and max width 50cm Example of compatible windows: Window 500x520 or Window 500x450 Side door: Max height 55cm and max width 100cm Example of compatible windows: Window 900x500 ; Window 900x520 Above a worktop or a bed: Variable height but generally maximum 30cm or 40cm Example of compatible windows: Window 700x300 ; Window 700x400 Right rear panel (covered by sliding door) Max height 55cm and max width 100cm Example of compatible windows: Sliding window 1000x500 or Sliding window 700x400
- Class 2 vans (L2H2 and up - Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Iveco Daily, etc.) : Rear doors: Max height 55cm and max width 50cm Example of compatible windows: Window 500x520 or Window 500x450Side door: Max height 60cm and max width 100cm Example of compatible windows: Window 900x500 ; Window 900x520 ; Window 900x600Above a worktop or a bed: Variable height but generally maximum 30cm or 40cm Example of compatible windows: Window 700x300 ; Window 700x400 ; Window 600x600 Right rear panel (covered by sliding door) Max height 62cm and max width 110cm Example of compatible windows: Sliding window 1000x500 or Sliding window 700x400
- Special vehicles (converted trucks, converted buses, etc.) For vehicles without wall limits, increasing brightness is always a very good idea. Large-sized windows exist: Example sizes: 1300x550 ; 1300x600 ; and 1450x550
Need other sizes? Contact our experts to check available sizes on order or see our detailed options here: Windows for motorhomes.
In conclusion
Choosing the right window for your campervan or motorhome is essential to improve your comfort and your vehicle’s functionality.
Whether it is a sliding or push window, don’t forget to consider your van’s layout, glazing options, and necessary accessories.
Vanlife Store is an expert in windows and windows for campervans and motorhomes. We offer our customers the largest selection of windows and support you from choosing the model to installation on your vehicle.
Quickly discover our selection of push and sliding windows at the best prices, delivered within 24 hours and guaranteed for 2 years. All our windows are VASP (43R) approved and come with step-by-step installation instructions!
For any technical questions, our expert customer service is available to advise you.
Happy outfitting,
The Vanlife-Store team
Should I choose a curved frame window to install on my van or campervan?
Not necessarily, because having a push window or sliding window with an aluminum subframe creates a solid assembly that is not affected by the vehicle's curvature. Push and sliding windows are therefore perfectly compatible with vans and campervans, even the most curved ones like Iveco.
