How To Easily Install Windows In Your Campervan (2025)

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Fitting windows in your campervan conversion can seem like a pretty daunting task (especially because you need to cut large holes in your van 😂), but it can actually be a pretty straightforward process if you have a plan.

In this post, we will share with you the 10 *simple* steps we took to install the windows in our campervan in no time at all.

Hopefully by reading this post you will feel more confident in fitting your own windows in your campervan, so that you can move swiftly onto your next conversion task!

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List of Materials & Tools We Used

• Fatmax Drill
• Reciprocating Saw
• Drill Bits For Metal
• Nibbler (Drill Attachment)
• Sealant Gun
• Angle Grinder
• Grinding Pads
• Suction Lifters
• Hammerite White Metal Paint

(read on to see which windows we chose)

To check out all the products & materials we used in our van conversion, visit our Amazon StoreFront!

Do you need windows in your van?

Whilst it’s totally up to you whether or not you want to put windows in your van, we definitely recommend it for a few reasons:

• helps brighten up the interior space with natural light
• provides much needed ventilation inside your van
• give you a sense of security (you can see what’s happening outside!)
• lets you take in the scenic views from where you are parked up
• gives the van a sense of being more open & spacious

How hard is it to put windows in a van?

Fitting windows in your campervan can seem like a pretty intimidating task initially – we felt exactly this way about it too at first!

However if you have the right tools & materials, and you know the steps to take to fit your windows, it can actually be pretty straightforward.

It just requires a bit of planning to begin with!

Choosing where to put windows in your van

Before thinking about anything else, the first thing you need to do is decide how many windows you want in your van & where you would like to put them.

Take into consideration the layout of your van & your preferences.

The most common places to fit van windows are:

• on the sliding door
• on the side panels (maybe above the kitchen worktop or seating area)
• rear doors

We decided to put one fixed window beside our seating area, two rear windows on the back doors, and a window we could open on our sliding door at the front.

We opted for ‘bonded windows.’

Here are the details of the windows we bought for our Sprinter van – all purchased from Van Pimps!

• Rear Windows (bought two separately)
• Middle Fixed Window (one)
• N/S Front Opening Window (one)
• 2 Window Bonding Kit (ordered two of these)
• Single Skin U-Channel for Interior Edge (ordered four of these – 1 per window)

There are lots of different types of windows, so again just do a bit of research to make sure you order the right ones for your type of van & where you want to put them!

How To Add Windows To Your Van in 10 Steps!

Once you are happy with where you want to put your windows & you ‘ve ordered them up, it’s time to get fitting!

Here are the 10-(ish) steps we took to fit the windows, we’ve attached some videos & pictures to help as well!

We suggest just doing one window at a time, & to take your time with each stage or take breaks if you need to!

Step 1: Mark out where to cut

Once you’ve decided where you’d like to put your window, the first step in this process is to mark out where you need to cut the window opening.

As we were fitting full panel sized windows, it was fairly easy to see the shape we needed to cut out for the window, due to the sunken panels inside our Sprinter van (see photo below.)

If your van doesn’t have these sunken panels inside, or you are fitting a smaller window, you’ll want to make a template of your window shape on a piece of cardboard & then trace around it on the inside of the van so you have an outline of where to cut.

Step 2: Drill holes in corners

Before you start cutting your window opening out, you’ll want to drill some holes at the corners of the sections that you need to cut out.

These holes should be big enough for your cutting tool to go into, but make sure not to go too outside the lines of your template or where you’re going to cut.

We did this from the inside of the van, as we could see the shape that we needed to cut out, and where exactly to drill the holes on the sunken panels.

Step 3: Start cutting out your window opening

Next step is to start cutting your window opening out!

Best advice we can give here is just take your time & take breaks if you need to.

We started with the nibbler from one of the holes that we previously drilled, then simply followed the shape of the sunken panel round.

Once we had cut as much as we could with the nibbler, we used a reciprocating saw to cut through any of the remaining structural supports.

The reason we chose to use the nibbler attachment rather than a jigsaw, was because it was easier to cut from the inside to follow the shape, and you wouldn’t need a flat surface as you would with a jigsaw.

Step 4: File down window edges

Once you’ve finished cutting the window area out, you’ll want to file down any rough edges of the metal.

We used the angle grinder with a grinding pad on it, but you could also use a metal file if you have one handy!

Step 5: Paint the metal edges for protection

Next, we painted the exposed metal edges to make sure they didn’t rust.

We used Hammerite Metal Paint & used a small paint brush to apply!

Step 6: Fit The U-Channel

Once the metal paint has dried, then it’s time to fit the PVC U-Channel (trim) around the opening edges of the cut.

This will come with the window you have purchased & will just help cover up that exposed metal.

We just pushed it onto the edges, then used a rubber mallet to tap it in to really secure it on.

When all the metal edges were covered with the u-channel, you simply cut the excess off with a knife.

Step 7: Prime your van window

Before putting the primer on the window, we used the glass cleaner wipe that came with our window kit to clean any areas on the window we planned to put the primer.

Once we did that, we then used the applicators that came with our kit, & applied the primer around the inside perimeter of the window AND around the opening we had just cut.

We suggest applying it on in a smooth motion with the applicator rather than dabbing it on.

It’s also important to remember when applying the primer to not exceed more than an inch wider than your opening. (so that your window covers it!)

You should find the primer spreads fairly well & will dry almost instantly.

Step 8: Apply adhesive to the primed exterior areas

With your windows & window opening now primed, you’re ready to apply your adhesive.

Apply your adhesive using a sealant gun, on the areas you have just primed, on the exterior of the van.

Evenly apply a thick bead of the sealant, ensuring there are no gaps.

Step 9: Fit the windows

Once you are happy with your adhesive skills, it’s time to fit your van window!

We suggest using suction cups to help you get it into position before you press it onto the adhesive. Having two people can also make this job a little easier.

Once you are happy with the position of the window, firmly press it on to the adhesive, ensuring all edges & corners are stuck on.

Step 10: Leave your windows to set

The adhesive is quite strong, and your window shouldn’t move too much at this stage.

For extra peace of mind, we taped the top edge of the window to the van, and used small bits of cardboard folded up as a wedge along the bottom edge to stop the window from sliding down.

We left the windows to set for around two days before we tested them for any leaks (we did this using our garden hose.)

Also, don’t forget to hoover up all those metal shavings that have probably fallen all over your van from the cutting! They get bloody everywhere! 😂

A look at our finished windows!

Final Thoughts..

We hope that this post has helped given you some direction on how to install bonded windows in your campervan!

Remember that this is just the way we have chosen to fit our windows, so make sure to do plenty of research to decide on the best methods for you!

If you have any questions or need us to clarify anything further, feel free to pop into the comment section below!

Thanks for reading!

Andy & Jane 🚐

* DISCLAIMER: There are so many ways to convert a campervan, different materials you can use & methods of doing certain things. We are not experts (just first-time van builders!), & we are simply sharing what we have chosen to do & what has worked for us after hours of research. So although we write our blog to help others with their build & recommend products & materials that we have used - please always do plenty of research and do choose methods that you feel comfortable with & that suits your van build & needs!

Enjoy this post? You may also like: 

• How To Strip Out Your Van And Prep It For Converting
• How To Build Your Van Floor
• How To Install Roof Fans In Your Campervan

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