Our1Chance

RV Screen Door Acrylic Plexiglass Retrofit – Removable Window

Updated 2022

After 6 years of taking on and off the top plexiglass we had to put in a new one since the post below.  We updated it with the same Duraplex plexiglass but without all the scratches the other one accumulated over the years.  The Youtube Short below a quick how to of what we did.  

One of the main dislikes about RV doors is that they rarely have enough light coming through.   The screen door is perfect when open, but in extreme climates, we quickly realized we needed it shut to keep the AC or the Heat inside the rig.  So for a cold, rainy day or beautiful sunny hot day, we were often stuck with the outside door being closed and minimal light entering the right side of the RV. Yuck!

Camping World

Another major problem we were working with with our old dog Cole, is that the wimpy screen wouldn’t hold him back from visitors; and as you can see by the picture, one swipe of the paw and the screen was wrecked.  2016-01-14_0001

Now I have always wondered if they made an glass or plexiglass insert for the screens of these doors but was unable to find them online.  Lippert does make a screen reinforcement system called the Screen Defender but nothing that converts the screens to plexiglass or something for cooler weather.  While looking into how the RV screen doors are made, I can see in the frame of the door that the top, left and right frames all have approximately 2mm channel built into it.   So my thought was to just go to Lowes and get some plexiglass and cut it to fit within that channel.  2016-01-14_0002This is the brand and size of the plexiglass Jen was able to get for me at Lowes.  Duraplex Acrylic Sheet 24x 48″ and 2mm thick. 2016-01-14_0003As the girls went to the lake to workout and watch the sunset, I started my project.  (OMG look how little they were)2016-01-14_0004First measuring the door 3 times.  (I mess this up a lot so 3 times is necessary)  2016-01-14_0005Then mark and cut.  2016-01-14_0006

I don’t have a straight edge available on the road, so I used the plexiglass that is for the rear door as my guide.  2016-01-14_0007After running the utility knife through the plastic about 4 times with moderate pressure, it was ready to snap.  I used the edge of the picnic table as a break and pressed until it snapped right on the line.  2016-01-14_0008A quick trim of the short edge and it should be ready for install.  2016-01-14_0009 2016-01-14_0010Putting it in is ridiculously simple.  I  flexed it in the middle then after the edges were in place I slid the top and bottom into position.  Nothing really holds the top and bottom in at this point but it isn’t a permanent all weather fix so I look forward to the ease of taking it out on hotter days.  If I find that it becomes too sloppy and loose, I will just add a rubber U channel bumper thing to the top and or bottom to keep it in place. 2016-01-14_0011Next part was the top half of the door and the tricky curved edges….  2016-01-14_0012I lined the plexiglass on the outside of the door, taped it in place; then peeled back the screen to allow access to the plexiglass to write on.  I wanted to write on the glass the curvature of the door.   There IS a curved channel in the door so the curved part should be able to slide right up into the door.   2016-01-14_0013With a pair of Linesman Pliers I could snap the curve cut (still cut with a utility knife about 4 times) one inch at a time.  2016-01-14_0014Peel off the front and back protective plastics… 2016-01-14_0015And BOOM.  A cooler season plexiglass door option for RV’s  2016-01-14_0016 2016-01-14_0017 2016-01-14_0018Notice how nicely the top plexiglass slid into place.  I can’t believe they don’t sell these.   2016-01-14_0019So tonight it is dropping down to the 40’s and I have the door open and everyone (Cole included) is loving it.