#2 The van’s openings: skylight and windows

vanasana window openings

After having done the big cleaning of Vanasana, we moved on (Papasana and I) to cutting the sheet metal to install the vents and windows. We installed:

  • A skylight on the ceiling for ventilation and also to have a skylight
  • A window on the right rear door
  • A large side bay on the left front

In Vanasana, I wanted to have light! It seemed obvious to me to install several openings. The choice of the skylight was not too difficult since having high ventilation is mandatory to homologate the VASP vehicle or strongly recommended even if it is not the case. As for the windows, the choice was made according to the layout: the rear window is located at the bed level and the side bay at the kitchen level. And after having had several feedbacks, it was better to install the side bay opposite the sliding door which tends to remain open very often.

In this article, I explain each of these steps in detail and list all the necessary equipment. Let's go!

If you haven't already, you can also:

On the program

  • The skylight: Dometic Mini Heiki Style
  • Rear window: Carbest 500 x 400
  • The side bay: Carbest Fixe

The skylight: Dometic Mini Heiki Style

I opted for the 40x40cm skylight from Dometic, taking care to choose permanent ventilation. Why? To always have an air inlet inside the vehicle.

Necessary material

The steps

  1. Thoroughly clean and degrease the surface of the roof where the skylight will be installed.
  2. Create a template in cardboard with the dimensions of the cutout: 40 x 40 cm.
  3. Transfer it to the sheet metal and transfer the cutting dimensions.
  4. Place tape along the line.
  5. Drill each corner using the drill and cut the sheet metal with the jigsaw.
  6. File the sheet metal, clean and apply rust inhibitor. Wait at least 2 hours.
  7. Meanwhile, create a wooden frame using the cleats and then glue it inside.
  8. Place the Sikaflex glue on the upper part of the skylight and insert it into the hole.
  9. Screw inside and wait at least 12 hours for drying.

The back window

Necessary material

The steps

  1. Thoroughly clean and degrease the surface where the window will be installed.
  2. Create a template in cardboard with the dimensions of the cutout: 50 x 40 cm
  3. Transfer it to the sheet metal and transfer the cutting dimensions.
  4. Place tape along the line.
  5. Drill each corner using the drill and cut the sheet metal with the jigsaw.
  6. File the sheet metal, clean and apply rust inhibitor. Wait at least 2 hours.
  7. Place the Sikaflex glue on the window and insert it into the hole.
  8. Finally, cut out pieces of battens to insert inside and hold the window in place.
  9. Screw inside and wait at least 12 hours for drying.

The video is here 👇

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The side bay

Necessary material

The steps

  1. Thoroughly clean and degrease the surface where the window will be installed.
  2. Create a template in cardboard with the dimensions of the cutout: 50 x 40 cm
  3. Transfer it to the sheet metal and transfer the cutting dimensions.
  4. Place tape along the line.
  5. Drill each corner using the drill and cut the sheet metal with the jigsaw.
  6. File the sheet metal, clean and apply rust inhibitor. Wait at least 2 hours.
  7. Then apply the silicone seal for a clean finish.
  8. Place the Sikaflex glue on the sheet metal in good quantity and insert the window using the suction cups.
  9. Press it well to stick it and then tape it. Wait at least 12 hours before everything is ready.

The video is here 👇

That's all for me!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments of the article. I will answer them very quickly! See you soon, Roxanne 🌞

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