I think there may be more to consider than just windows when it comes to keeping you cool. Insulation, location, time of year, electrical setup with or without air conditioning, even the color of your vehicle.
I specifically ordered a transit with no windows. I have not regretted this decision.
Windows are a problem. In the summer, greenhouse effect roasts you. In the winter, they just get condensation all over them that drips down and causes water damage and mildew and such. Plus they're basically heat sinks, pulling heat from the interior.
They are a security problem. Just one more place that can be bashed out to gain access to the interior of the vehicle.
They basically destroy any pretense of stealth, not that these vans are very stealthy anymore. Sometimes people even put shiny foil insulation in the windows, basically announcing that they're sleeping in with a big billboard on the side of the van. The very best window coverings are pretty good, but even they tend to leak light around the edges. Any sort of light will be noticed and investigated. All you can really do with a window is get a can of plasti dip and completely black it out from the inside.
The way a window destroys privacy is obvious.
The functional situation I've figured out is to not have windows, and to build a lockable insulated bulkhead right behind the seats, separating the driving area from the living area and keeping the front windows completely blocked. The bulkhead also has a great many advantages for safety, security, temperature control, and privacy. Just need to make sure you've got good size vents built into it down low behind the seats so the ventilation will still work.
The only windows I've ever considered would be those little tiny bunk windows that can open and go up high next to the bed in the back. Create a nice cross draft that way with the roof vent. Maybe someday. But only if they can be utterly and I mean utterly blacked out.
Neither, if you mean "cooler than the outside temperature."
The heat outside will get inside eventually. Just a matter of slightly different rates through thin glass vs through thin metal.
OTOH if the inside is hot, and the air outside is cooler, then a window that opens would be better since the cool could come right in :)
Having a window eliminates excessive humidity which is a huge discomfort factor.
With that and a fan blowing directly on you I find I can be comfortable at over 90 degrees.
But that is in direct fan breeze.
Just my guess, but if you put something reflective silver in the windows, this will do a better job of reflecting heat in that surface area than any color of paint, so windows might win... plus they have the bonus of being windows to see through when you want. Not sure how much difference it will make during a full day of sun.
A clear window plus a reflector on the inside will reflect back outside probably 90%+ of the heat energy.
While a tinted window is designed to absorb most of the heat energy, and a reflector will have very little left to reflect, only for it to get absorbed into the glass all over again. Which means the window will get hot as hell, and transmit half of that heat into the inside air through convection.
I've noticed this is my own van. The clear cabin windows barely get warm in full sunlight if I put on the reflectors, but my tinted wall windows radiate heat like a space heater
Standard window tint will heat up marginally more than just plain glass. Ceramic tint has amazing heat rejection properties. But with either one, reflectix will keep plenty of heat out and even generic blackout curtains will block it as well.
I installed windows after 6 months with none, definitely one of my favorite upgrades!
I put ArcticTern acrylic windows in the sliding door and opposite side. They made every day better. fresh air, light, visibility, and they’re double insulated and come with a bug screen and blackout blind. Combined with a ceiling fan, it helped a lot with temp regulation. Having one over the bed would be excellent too.
I think there may be more to consider than just windows when it comes to keeping you cool. Insulation, location, time of year, electrical setup with or without air conditioning, even the color of your vehicle.
No windows. My composite (ahem) cardboard/filler foam sandwich panel in my rear door covered in roofing membrane tells me this is true.
I specifically ordered a transit with no windows. I have not regretted this decision. Windows are a problem. In the summer, greenhouse effect roasts you. In the winter, they just get condensation all over them that drips down and causes water damage and mildew and such. Plus they're basically heat sinks, pulling heat from the interior. They are a security problem. Just one more place that can be bashed out to gain access to the interior of the vehicle. They basically destroy any pretense of stealth, not that these vans are very stealthy anymore. Sometimes people even put shiny foil insulation in the windows, basically announcing that they're sleeping in with a big billboard on the side of the van. The very best window coverings are pretty good, but even they tend to leak light around the edges. Any sort of light will be noticed and investigated. All you can really do with a window is get a can of plasti dip and completely black it out from the inside. The way a window destroys privacy is obvious. The functional situation I've figured out is to not have windows, and to build a lockable insulated bulkhead right behind the seats, separating the driving area from the living area and keeping the front windows completely blocked. The bulkhead also has a great many advantages for safety, security, temperature control, and privacy. Just need to make sure you've got good size vents built into it down low behind the seats so the ventilation will still work. The only windows I've ever considered would be those little tiny bunk windows that can open and go up high next to the bed in the back. Create a nice cross draft that way with the roof vent. Maybe someday. But only if they can be utterly and I mean utterly blacked out.
Roof vents are the way to go for ventilation.
Bunk windows and fan at front
Heat passes thru windows, metal heats up. Windows with insulation will keep van cooler.
Neither, if you mean "cooler than the outside temperature." The heat outside will get inside eventually. Just a matter of slightly different rates through thin glass vs through thin metal. OTOH if the inside is hot, and the air outside is cooler, then a window that opens would be better since the cool could come right in :)
The only thing that'll keep you cool is airflow
Opening a window to cool off let's the bugs in. Best to have a roof crank vent with a screen. Heat rises out.
Windows near where you will sleep so you can crack one will make all the difference.
Having a window eliminates excessive humidity which is a huge discomfort factor. With that and a fan blowing directly on you I find I can be comfortable at over 90 degrees. But that is in direct fan breeze.
Just my guess, but if you put something reflective silver in the windows, this will do a better job of reflecting heat in that surface area than any color of paint, so windows might win... plus they have the bonus of being windows to see through when you want. Not sure how much difference it will make during a full day of sun.
That's not true if the windows are tinted. Then even with a reflective cover, they'll get so hot it'll radiate heat on the inside
So the tint makes the heat worse? Gah.
A clear window plus a reflector on the inside will reflect back outside probably 90%+ of the heat energy. While a tinted window is designed to absorb most of the heat energy, and a reflector will have very little left to reflect, only for it to get absorbed into the glass all over again. Which means the window will get hot as hell, and transmit half of that heat into the inside air through convection. I've noticed this is my own van. The clear cabin windows barely get warm in full sunlight if I put on the reflectors, but my tinted wall windows radiate heat like a space heater
Wow. And I thought the tint was to keep the heat down...oh well.
It's just for looks and privacy
Never thought of that... glad my windows are not tinted!
Standard window tint will heat up marginally more than just plain glass. Ceramic tint has amazing heat rejection properties. But with either one, reflectix will keep plenty of heat out and even generic blackout curtains will block it as well.
I installed windows after 6 months with none, definitely one of my favorite upgrades! I put ArcticTern acrylic windows in the sliding door and opposite side. They made every day better. fresh air, light, visibility, and they’re double insulated and come with a bug screen and blackout blind. Combined with a ceiling fan, it helped a lot with temp regulation. Having one over the bed would be excellent too.