We found an RV door window stained glass insert that fit perfectly into our door. In fact, it was actually made for RV door window replacements.
Who doesn’t love gazing through a stained glass window when the sun shines through? It takes me back to when I was a little girl staring at the stained glass windows in church instead of paying attention to the gospel and readings. I’d study every color, every soldered line, and the biblical Saints.
So, when I saw a vendor selling his stained glass window inserts, I became smitten. Not that we want our RV to look like a church but adding a little artistic decor give make our fifth wheel a more customized look. Also, the original door window let in a ton of light; this stained glass window obscured the light a bit yet gave us a beautiful artistic view.
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How to Replace Your RV Door Window Camper Door Window Installation Guide
Where can you get a replacement window for an RV door?
Where can you get a stained glass window for an RV door?
While visiting Yuma, Arizona, we parked at the lot near the border and walked across to Los Algodones, Mexico for an afternoon of lunch and shopping. We meandered the streets of vendors selling their Mexican wares. I took a jaunt inside a vendor’s store and instantly fell in love with his collection of handcrafted stained glass art.
The shop vendor had an array of different window designs leaning against the wall on the floor with a standard RV door window frame right next to it. There were quite a few designs and motifs to choose from.
As I bent down to flip through them, I was amazed by the different motifs of every kind; lighthouses, beach scenes, desert scenes, animals, sports team logos, military branches (except Coast Guard – grrrrrrr!), etc.
Being that our RV fifth wheel exterior is white with dark red, black and light tan swishy graphics, I kept our color scheme in mind when picking out the perfect stained glass window. It didn’t take me long to pull one that caught my breath when I saw it.
The colors were vividly perfect and the motif was just what I was looking for; the Arizona desert scape! Since RVing, we’ve grown to love the Southwest Arizona desert so this was truly speaking to us.
The vendor picked up the stained glass art and placed it into the RV door window frame to show how it fit perfectly. We negotiated the price down to $70 cash. He packaged it up with cardboard and tape to protect it during transport back to our 5th wheel.
For those who may be headed to Los Algodones, Mexico, we bought it at:
The Stained Glass and Lamp Shades Shop. Plaza Alvaro 2nd St. Suite B-68 Los Algodones, BC Mexico.
You can also find RV door window stained glass inserts at RV shows or RV rallies. Sometimes there is a stained glass vendor with the same size window inserts. Be prepared though, their prices are double. But, you get satisfaction in knowing they are made in the U.S. and are usually made by a fellow RVer.
RV Door Window Installation
First, Dan researched how to replace an RV door window on YouTube. We completed this install on a warm dry day to insure proper installation and set.
The morning of installation, he laid out a soft blanket on the picnic table. He carefully unwrapped our new stained glass window. Dan inspected it to make certain none of the solders were loose or glass was chipped or cracked.
He then, laid his tools out on the table next to our new stained glass window.
Tools for this DIY installation:
Step 1: Removing the existing window
Dan first adhered the clear shipping tape to the exterior frame of the door to hold the frame in place while removing the inside frame and the existing frosted glass window.
He then removed the screws from the inside frame and set them aside.
Then, he carefully pulled the inside frame with the frosted glass off. He removed the glass from the frame and set it aside out of the way.
Cleaning and Recaulking
He cleaned out all of the old putty adhesive out of both frames that held the original frosted window in place. Dan, then wiped everything clean with a small cloth with alcohol to remove any existing residue and allowed it to dry thoroughly.
Next, he applied a thin bead of silicone in the track of the outside frame (still adhered to the door) where the putty adhesive used to be and allowed it set for tack about 3 minutes so it wasn’t so slippery and runny when mounting the window and frame.
Mounting the new window
Dan mounted the stained glass window insert into the frame onto the silicone, quickly mounted the window frame over it the stain glass and screwed in the frame.
We stored the original glass under our mattress between two pieces of heavy cardboard.
We left the door alone; not opening or closing it for a few hours to allow the silicone to dry.
And THAT’s how you replace your RV door window
As you can see, not only is it a beautiful accent to the outside of our coach but also, it’s absolutely gorgeous when the sun shines through it. We have received many compliments on how it looks.
This was one souvenir that we didn’t mind buying. Each time we look through it, it reminds us of the fun we had in Los Algodones, Mexico.
If you’re planning a trip across the border to Los Algadones, Mexico, visit the Stain Glass and Lamp Shades Shop (address and contact mentioned earlier).
Not only will you be improving the look of your coach’s door, you have a wonderful souvenir that tells a story.
DISCLAIMER: We will not be held responsible for others’ installation, products used, stained glass, doors, etc. and/or injury that results during and after installation. It is up to each owner to thoroughly research and take every safety precaution to insure proper installation.
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Having taught stained glass for many years- if possible to put a thin sheet of acrylic in front of glass it will protect it from stones and keep the solder from getting that crusty white film over time. They do this on church windows to protect from vandals and weather
Robin, thank you for taking the time to read about our Stained Glass Window Installation Guide. We don’t think that there is ample room to add another layer between the frames to fit in the RV door correctly and securely. But we understand how the plexiglass would protect our art investment. We will look into this to see if it can be done. -Dan & Lisa
I have tried to email rey_chavez81@hotmail.com several times with no response. I am interested in a stained glass panel for the entry door.
Are you certain this is the correct email??? Any other contact information I might try? How about another vendor?
Hi Sarah, sorry you haven’t received any response. They are located in Los Algodones, Mexico. Aside from actually visiting (we saw him this past winter when we visited), I don’t know how else to contact him. There are other stain glass artists that make them in the states though. You might be able to find them at the big RV manufacturers rallies. Hope that helps.