Best flat window/windshield material

[Mark42]

Tempered glass aside, what is the best material to use for replacing flat glass in a boat? Plexy?

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

I would suggest lexan as its a lot tougher than plexy. The downside is its quite a bit more expensive than plexy. Also if your using an epoxy to glue it in place, epoxy wont stick to lexan and it will to plexy. Thats the way I understand it anyway. I could be wrong but if you read the instructions on many two part epoxy's it wont stick to the stuff lexan is made of.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

I would say it's a toss up between lexan and plexi... Plexi is alot cheaper.. but lexan is as dink states tougher...

 

[Dryrot]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

I use lexan for my sailboat windows. U can hit the stuff with a hammer and not hurt it. Plexiglas will yellow after a hot summer whereas lexan won't. Nothing sticks to lexan...I replace the silicon caulk every season. Silicon will keep the water out for that long but then starts to leak.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

If you use Anything besides Glass,...........<br />It Scratches..............<br /><br />Custom Cut Glass really Isn't all That expensive,..??.........<br /><br />BTW,...... What Exactly are you looking for,..????....... I've got a Ton of old flat glass windshield assemblies,.......<br />For the price of Shipping I might have the Right piece..............

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

Plexi<br />breakable, leaves razor sharp edges when broken, somewhat scratch resistant, UV susceptable, cheap, available in many colors and tints<br /><br />Lexan (polycarbonate)<br />unbreakable, scratches easy (unless you get the scratch resistant version = $$$$), UV stable, expensive, only available in several tints<br /><br />There is another material called PETG. Its the same stuff used to make the plastic pop bottles etc. Very tough but not sure about the UV stability. Not as readily available as the first two types.<br /><br />If you can find the right size/form, I would go with the tempered glass. Cheap, safe and durable.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

petg will delaminate after to much UV exposure, The kids left some of the drink bottle made from that stuff in the yard once. I was surprised by the way it fell apart. It's like several layers of plastic

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

Hi Mark, I thought you had replaced the windshield on your MFG with Lexan already? Did it not work out? I´m insterested because I need to replace the windshield on my boat and wandering what material to use...

 

[Mark42]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

I was looking at salvage boats and lots of them have the basic aluminum frame, flat glass windshields and side glass. I know that getting tempered glass to fit will be slim and figured on using lexan or plexy to replace it. <br /><br />My own curved windshield is holding up fine. It is polycarbonate and I am careful to only wash it with wet cotton rags. No paper towels because it causes cloudy scratches.

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: Best flat window/windshield material

ya windex on plastic is a no no it clouds it to all get out.........i have a coustom size in my rig that i had to get done and i was looking at the options ... go to a home supply place like orchard and they have lexan.....but realy to have a 2 ply laminate glass set up with a piece of plastic between the two sheets is good .... i wanted it to crack if broke not shatter into tiny pieces , so i belive i stayed away from tempered, also lexan will scratch over time and discolor after years...