Atom Voyagervideo
Installing acrylic frameless windows
June 28, 2016 · 7 min · 35K views
What this video covers
Atom replaces the original aluminum cabin window frames on a Solberg 30 with externally mounted, tinted 3A cast acrylic.0:06 The new windows feature a 1.25-inch flange to improve sealing and structural integrity compared to the factory frames.0:39 To ensure a proper bond, the acrylic edges and the fiberglass mounting surface are sanded with 100 or 120-grit sandpaper.1:52 Dow 795 structural silicone serves as the primary sealant, as it accommodates the expansion and contraction rates of acrylic better than standard marine silicones.0:28 Small rubber gasket spacers maintain a consistent gap during installation to prevent the sealant from squeezing out entirely when tightening the quarter-inch countersunk fasteners.1:37 Because acrylic expands more than fiberglass, the bolt holes in the windows are drilled oversized to prevent cracking.4:23 The installation process concludes by smoothing the silicone bead and removing masking tape before the sealant cures.3:54 Using cast acrylic instead of polycarbonate provides superior UV resistance, while the frameless design simplifies future maintenance and rebedding.3:40
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