"Where we cannot invent, we may at least improve."
~Charles Caleb Colton
The new window tracks have been installed! They look and function so much better:
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| The old window tracks. Plastic, brittle, filled with gunk and cracked. |
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| New window tracks. Aluminum, strong, clean and smooth. |
In this pic, you can see the difference in the old (left) and the new (right) window tracks:
We found the replacement window track through another boating blog. Someone by the name of James was asking if anyone knew of a source for the track (it has 3 channels). I sent him an email to see if he had been successful in finding the tracking. He had been able to find something similar (but in aluminum)--through Marinette (www.marinettemarine.com/). (Happily, I now have a new Facebook friend and King's Craft renovation ally, as he is renovating an older King's Craft, too!)
The new track is aluminum rather than plastic, and has a very thin strip of film inside the track to help the window glide easily. It all works like a charm.
The aluminum track is thinner than the original plastic track, as shown in this pic:
The aluminum track is thinner than the original plastic track, as shown in this pic:
When we installed the first window, we realized this little difference in thickness made a big difference in how the window fit. The window sat too low, and did not fit securely in the top track--we were afraid the window would bounce out.
To solve this, we added a strip of 3/16" gasket under the bottom track. This lifted everything up, and made the window much more secure--and I think it will help keep it watertight. In our area, Ace Gasket & Manufacturing Co. was the place to go for this (513.271.6321).
On another note, the lights and horns have arrived and I hope to install them this weekend. I also hope to get all the wiring finished (one can hope), and get the boat ready for insulation.
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| In this pic, you can see the 3/16" gasket between the boat and the window track. |
On another note, the lights and horns have arrived and I hope to install them this weekend. I also hope to get all the wiring finished (one can hope), and get the boat ready for insulation.
I'm in the process of getting estimates for insulation. I have two, and they are not even close to each other....more on this in another post.
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Pictures are telling a lot.Thanks for sharing best information about window replacement.
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It is good that you chose aluminum for your new window track because plastic has a tendency to lose its form and break over time. Replacing the window is a clear improvement! And even though there was a problem with the thickness, it is good that you managed to find a solution for it. I hope the aluminum track would last.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I will be looking forward to visit your page again and for your other posts as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about replacement windows in your area. I'm glad to stop by your site and know more about replacement windows. This is a good read. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteLow-E is a film that is several layers of metal poured microscopically thin over the surface of newly poured glass. This heat reflective film is transparent but can be darker or lighter depending on the type and manufacturer. This data is rated in Visible Light Transmission. Darker glass with heavier Low–E will have less VT. The NFRC rates most energy star rated window manufacturers.
Are your windows difficult to open or clean? Do you struggle to open or close them all the way?
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The perks of having Facebook friends, you'll get to know someone, who knows someone who can get you what you need. By the way, nice improvement on the window track. The plastic one looks so worn-out and obviously needing a replacement. Did the aluminum last better? Merrill @ LoveYourWindows.com
ReplyDeleteI copied the information on your blog about the supplier for the gasket material. What material did you use for the gasket? How wide was it. Did Ace have something in stock? I am going to replace the plastic window frames on my Marinette 28 HT express and would appreciate the material type and width of the gasket material. Thanks Fred M
ReplyDeleteHere is my contact information about the question I posted with regard to the material for the spacer gasket under the window installation.
ReplyDeleteFred M Wd8adg@gmail.com.
Thanks
I guess I couldn't get there just any types of windows, could I? Even if the sizes of the frame is up for customizing, such as is the case with the Aluplast uPVC windows I got last week to my house, but I didn't do anything with my boat so far...
ReplyDeleteHow did you lift the windows in and out, so that the tracks could be replaced? Did you do the track in three pieces or one? This is the last hurdle for redoing my 1974 kingscraft. Thanks in advance
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