Why such small windows?

[rickl1968]

I noticed in most of the permanent ice shack/huts/houses, the windows are small. I know in the past years there were problems with heat loss and frosting, but with the new heaters that are avaliable that problem has vertually been eliminated. Using dubble pane windows have stopped them from fogging or frosting up as easy or at all........so.............Why?

I can sit at my table and look out in 3 directions, and even down to the ice with larger windows.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

1) Cost- big windows are expensive.

2) Thugs- water takes the path of least resistance, so do thugs breaking in to steal your TV.

3) Energy efficiency- the best windows are around an R2/R3. This compares to an R10/11 of 1.5" spray foamed walls, somewhat negating that extra expense.

[CrowRiverRat83]

Yep, security would be my reasoning. A person can't fit through a small window like those you commonly see.

[rickl1968]

The windows cost was minimal to me, Because I bought 2 of them at a recycling store, 50 and 80 bucks for my picture window(brand new never used). The other three, the neighbour was changing his windows so I got them free.

Thugs...I can see a point there, But I do draw the blinds so they can't see in, and they are double pane so a little harder to break.

As for efficiency, they are double pane and sealled with argon gas. arent these good?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Yeah, they are good (for windows). Sealed up, insulated wall is much more energy efficient.

[KG243]

Isn't there more of a chance of a bigger window cracking when bahaing out on the lake with your wheel house?

[LightningBG]

I had real big windows in my shack, 3 Pella sliders. I loved being able to look out at what was going on. I never had a problem with heat and I was using a 1970's camper furnace. I never covered the windows, so thugs could look inside and see there wasn't anything in there to steal.

[rickl1968]

There is a bigger chance, if you don't install them right.

What I had done, was to install the windows like you would normally with cedar shims until the window is square in the opening. Then I sprayed in low expansion foam insulation(made for windows and doors), between the cedar shims leaving them exposed. After letting the foam completely dry I removed the cedar shimms and reinstalled the screws with nothing in-between. I then sprayed the remainder of the gaps and let dry before installing the siding and trim.

Now you have a window that will move slightly with any bumps and twisting the shack may occur while moving around the lake.

Just take your normal precausions, drive slow and avoid big bumps.