The old window or carpet first issue

[BenT5]

Hi all, I'm in the planning stages of my next camper conversion and thinking about how to get a nice edge around the windows and carpet. I'll be working outside so there's no way to do the carpet and glass at the same time.

There are issues and considerations for each way of doing it.

If you do the windows first and use U trim to cover the gap between the skins it looks good but then when you carpet it's hard to get a good finish up to it. They way I've seen people do this the U trim has to go on before the window as the adhesive is put right up against it so it cant come off or indeed go on later.

If you carpet first and leave some excess you can pull the carpet over the skins, stick in down on the outside and then put the glass in but this makes it tricky when cutting out the metal as the carpet can get in the way and get covered in metal splinters etc.

Any thoughts ?

 

[Salty Spuds]

Hi all, I'm in the planning stages of my next camper conversion and thinking about how to get a nice edge around the windows and carpet. I'll be working outside so there's no way to do the carpet and glass at the same time.

There are issues and considerations for each way of doing it.

If you do the windows first and use U trim to cover the gap between the skins it looks good but then when you carpet it's hard to get a good finish up to it. They way I've seen people do this the U trim has to go on before the window as the adhesive is put right up against it so it cant come off or indeed go on later.

If you carpet first and leave some excess you can pull the carpet over the skins, stick in down on the outside and then put the glass in but this makes it tricky when cutting out the metal as the carpet can get in the way and get covered in metal splinters etc.

Any thoughts ?

can't you cut the window apertures, then carpet, then fit the glass?

 

[BenT5]

can't you cut the window apertures, then carpet, then fit the glass?

As I said in the OP I'll be on the driveway and won't be possible to do everything without the chance of bad weather.

 

[JumpShip]

I'd cut the aperture but leave small tabs that still hold the metal window cut outs in place , then i'd clean and tape over the cuts on the outside to weatherproof things .
Then carpet the inside and when your feeling lucky finally cut the tabs, fit the U trim and bond the windows in while praying it doesnt rain

 

[Salty Spuds]

As I said in the OP I'll be on the driveway and won't be possible to do everything without the chance of bad weather.

Ok, so cut the apertures, then tape some polythene sheet over the outside, do the carpet, then pick your day & do the glass. More than one way to skin a cat

 

[drinfinity]

Do get a powered cartridge gun to get a decent bead on quickly. I did mine on the street, racing unforecast rain, and the gun took (some) of the stress out.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Do get a powered cartridge gun to get a decent bead on quickly. I did mine on the street, racing unforecast rain, and the gun took (some) of the stress out.

Cut aperture. Add Carpet. U-Trim glue Window.

+1 for the powered glue gun.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

How to add carpet to a fitted window

 

[Salty Spuds]

can't you cut the window apertures, then carpet, then fit the glass?

As I said in the OP I'll be on the driveway and won't be possible to do everything without the chance of bad weather.

Cut aperture. Add Carpet. U-Trim glue Window.

+1 for the powered glue gun.

ahem, cough cough

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Plywood template or gaffer tape a tarp over the hole until it dries up. Easier if you don't have to drive the van anywhere. We did ours on the drive way and just waited a couple of days for decent weather

 

[JoshB_]

Surely carpet first? Just don’t stick it down over the window apertures, then when you’re ready slice a big X through the middle and away you go. I agree though that it might be tricky to stop any swarf sneaking down the back… try some snips instead, something like the DeWalt DT70620-QZ, but you’ve still got the problem with the initial hole saw and cutting the cross brace. Stuff behind the carpet with a towel?

See this video about 52mins in.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

This whole video is installing windows in a pre-carpeted van. It's also the video that convinced me to rent a set of powered shears for a week to cut the holes. The only swarf is from the initial hole and removing the braces.

 

[BenT5]

Surely carpet first? Just don’t stick it down over the window apertures, then when you’re ready slice a big X through the middle and away you go. I agree though that it might be tricky to stop any swarf sneaking down the back… try some snips instead, something like the DeWalt DT70620-QZ, but you’ve still got the problem with the initial hole saw and cutting the cross brace. Stuff behind the carpet with a towel?

See this video about 52mins in.

Thanks Josh, much appreciated

 

[BenT5]

How to add carpet to a fitted window

Thanks for that Tee