Boat Window

Excelite specializes manufacturing OEM, ODM boat windows, yachts cabin windows boat windshields in various shapes and sizes, designed to enhance your nautical experience. Technique involved in CNC routing, polycarbonate machining, and polycarbonate thermoforming, silk screen printing, etc.

What is boat window?

A boat window, also known as the windscreen, windshield, is a protective barrier designed to shield a water boat, vessels , including wind, water spray, and debris. These windshields serve both functional and safety purposes, enhancing the overall boating experience.

Most of the marine windshields are made of glass, acrylic, Plexiglass and Lexan window polycarbonate materials. Glass is the most common material in windshield. It provides clarity and durability. It is resistant to scratching and offers good visibility. Acrylic (PMMA) has light weight and impact resistant.

But in recent years, the new design boats are getting bigger and faster. The designers began to consider the wind factor, speed and the weight of the hull, there has been an increasing trend in the use of marine polycarbonate glass windshields. Polycarbonate is known for its high impact resistance. Polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass. Polycarbonate has the advantages in UV blocking.

Main Features of Polycarbonate Windshields

Heat Blocking with UV resistant

We offer tinted polycarbonate windshields in dark grey, light grey and bronze colors.

Anti-scratch

It increases scratch resistant of marine polycarbonate windshields from HB to 2H.

Flame resistant

UV-resistant and high-strength flame resistant sheet in both clear and tinted forms.

Picture comes from Acrylico.com

Common Types of Marines Use Polycarbonate Windshields

Center console boat windshields
Bass and Bay boat windshields
Full enclosure boat windscreens
T-TOP Style boat windshields

Typically located in marine:

Front doors
Rear doors
Between the side windows & windshield or rear window
Sunroof

Industry Expertise

Decades of industry expertise, delivering high-quality parts with precision and reliability.

Flexible Customization

Customized solutions, accommodate design, material preferences, and production requirements with ease.

Collaborative Approach

Collaborative approach, working closely with our clients to understand their specific requirements and goals.

Glass vs Acrylic vs Polycarbonate: What is the different By Laxan

Boat Window Shields and Marine Parts Manufacturing Capabilities

Excelite offers comprehensive solutions for boat window shields and marine components, tailored to meet specific requirements, quality standards, fabrication and production volumes.

Polishing Polycarbonate Windscreen Service

Polishing is an great solution to help the polycarbonate windshields a smooth finish after the fabrication. Polishing also helps to smoothen edges.

CNC Machining Services

Drilling polycarbonate is easy, but it requires careful handing to avoid scratches.

While drill the polycarbonate windscreens, we should keep the film masking on the windshields. Position the drill bit at one of the marked points. Apply gentle, consistent pressure to start drilling. Allow the drill bit to cut through the polycarbonate gradually. Do not force the drill, as this can cause the material to crack.

Thermoforming Precision in Custom Windshields

Thermoforming methods include drape forming, heat forming, and vacuum forming, vacuum and drape forming being the most efficient and flexible boat windows.

Curved Shaped for Polycarbonate Windscreens

Glass is normally used in flat boat windshield, but if customers want to do a curved boat windshield, even hyperbolic windshield. Polycarbonate can achieve your idea.
Polycarbonate is more flexible than Glass, PMMA. This is important for you to do a sharp. We can easily bend or mold the polycarbonate sheet.

Bending for Polycarbonate Windscreens

Polycarbonate sheet can be bent to achieve specific shapes. PC is a thermoplastic material known for its flexibility and formability when heated.

The bending process involves applying heat to the polycarbonate sheet to soften it, allowing it to be shaped or bent into the desired form.

Bending polycarbonate windshields can be advantageous for custom designs or applications where specific shapes are required to fit the contours of a boat or other vehicle.

Assembly for Windscreens

Excelite provides a complete solution for polycarbonate windshields, including connection frames as well. Frame is usually made of stainless steel. Our services encompass everything from providing high-quality products to offering frame accessories. With expertise in CNC cutting and thermoforming for curved designs, we deliver a complete system that meets all your needs.

Gallery of Boat Window Parts

How do you manufacture the polycarbonate windshield on the marine?

Begin by creating a detailed design or blueprint of the windshield, taking into account the specific dimensions and contours required for the application.

To make sure the polycarbonate windshield fits perfectly, the customer brought their speed boat to our factory. We measured everything on-site and created a precise template based on the boat’s curves and contours. This template became our blueprint for making the windshield accurately.

Install & Repair & Replacement Polycarbonate Boat Windshields

First, clean the boat window on the marine. Clean the dust oil and debris from around rough opening. Inspect the windshield for any defects or damage before installation.

Then carefully position the windshield in the desired location on the boat. Use a measuring tape to ensure proper alignment and symmetry. Check for clearance with other boat components and for proper visibility.

Once satisfied with the positioning, mark the mounting points on the boat’s surface using a pencil or marker.

Next, use a drill to create holes for the polycarbonate windshield. Place the windshield over the drilled holes.

Finally, apply a marine-grade sealant or adhesive around the edges of the windshield where it contacts the boat. Wipe away any excess sealant or adhesive using a clean cloth.

While the windshield is constant exposed to sunshine, it will cause the windshield frame to break down, discoloration, brittleness and weaken the structure. Not only the frame, gasket, but also the windshield panels.

The customers can custom their aluminum frame boat windshield according to their marine design.

Sometimes they just want to change some windshield frame components or refurbish it. We can provide the polycarbonate windshield soon.

Boat Windshields Fog Prevention Capabilities

The condensation could happen in or out of your boat’s windshield. It actually depends on the temperature, if it’s a cold day and your marine’s cabin is hot, then the moisture will build up inside. Whereas, if it’s a hot day and your boat’s cabin is cold, the moisture will form outside of your windshield.

A fog-resistant coating is applied to the polycarbonate windshield during the manufacturing process, providing exceptional resistance to fogging. This specialized coating enhances visibility by preventing the buildup of condensation on the surface, ensuring clear and unobstructed views even in challenging weather conditions.

In fact, we also find there is not easily to make small quantity coating sheet- Polycarbonate Anti-fog Film.

Clean Boat Windshields

Though polycarbonate is high impact resistant than glass, we have to see the polycarbonate surface is scratch more easily performance when compare to glass unless it’s hard coated.

So, when we clean the polycarbonate windshield, first, we need to remove abrasive dirt on the surface without touching the windshield too much. If you use paper towels to clean the polycarbonate windshield. We have some tips to help you.

Here’s the do’s and don’ts of maintaining and cleaning a polycarbonate windshield.

Never use any sharp cleanings, like wiper blades, or any scrapers, brushes, pressure washers, Windex, windshield cleaners, anything with alcohol or ammonia.
Just choose gentle soap, and add in a squirt bottle with warm water, clean microfiber towel or chamois.
Then spraying your windshield with this soapy water. Spray more on the dirtier areas and wait for the soapy water to take the dirt down along with the liquid. And later, use your microfiber towel to gently wipe back and forth, and never use circular motions when cleaning the polycarbonate windshield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers

What coating treatment can we add on Polycarbonate boat windshield?

Polycarbonate has some limits. But we can do some coating treatments to enhance the performance and durability of the polycarbonate windshield.

Polycarbonate boat windshields are susceptible to scratches and abrasions. An anti-scratch coating forms a protective coating. It can significantly reduce the scratches.

An anti-foggy coating minimizes the impact of foggy, rainy, moist conditions on the boat windshield. This treatment ensures clear visibility and safety.

UV resistant coatings are designed to protect polycarbonate marine windshields from the harmful effects or direct UV rays. It helps prevent yellowing.

Flame retardant polycarbonate sheets enhance the fire resistance and safety characteristics of the material. This treatment guarantees the windshield’s durability and overall performance.

How to clean the marine windshield?

Though polycarbonate is high impact resistant than glass, we have to see the polycarbonate surface is scratch more easily performance when compare to glass unless it’s hard coated. So, when we clean the polycarbonate windshield, first, we need to remove abrasive dirt on the surface without touching the windshield too much. If you use paper towels to clean the polycarbonate windshield. We have some tips to help you. Here’s the do’s and don’ts of maintaining and cleaning a polycarbonate windshield.

Never use any sharp cleanings, like wiper blades, or any scrapers, brushes, pressure washers, Windex, windshield cleaners, anything with alcohol or ammonia.
Just choose gentle soap, and add in a squirt bottle with warm water, clean microfiber towel or chamois.
Then spraying your windshield with this soapy water. Spray more on the dirtier areas and wait for the soapy water to take the dirt down along with the liquid. And later, use your microfiber towel to gently wipe back and forth, and never use circular motions when cleaning the polycarbonate windshield.

How does polycarbonate windshield compare to Acrylic, Glass windshield?

Polycarbonate is more impact resistant to Acrylic. In terms of high impact, polycarbonate is quite stronger than glass, almost 250 times more durable than glass.

Polycarbonate is flexible and allow to do secondary processing. Polycarbonate can be bent or molded, allowing for more complex shapes.

Polycarbonate can withstand heat, enabling special curved processing.

Polycarbonate is chemically resistant material. Some certain substances don’t effect it like gasoline, acids.

Polycarbonate is light weight. Glass is more prone to shattering upon impact compared to polycarbonate. Glass is also heavier than acrylic, polycarbonate.

Glass provides the best optical clarity among the three materials. Glass is also less scratches compared to polycarbonate.

Properties	Glass	Acrylic	Polycarbonate
Density	2.8g/m3	1.18-1.19g/cm3	1.2g/cm3
Light transmission	80-84%	92-95%	85-90%
Use temperature	-5 - 70℃	-60 - 65℃	-120 - 120℃
Soften point	600℃	100-102℃	145℃
Thermoforming temperature	600-730℃	180-250℃	180-280℃
Bending strength	-	55-70Mpa	90-100Mpa

Are there any disadvantage of using polycarbonate boat windshield?

Though polycarbonate is solid and high-impact resistant. It’s much lighter than glass. It doesn’t absorb UV rays, making it excellent choice for boat windows where sunshine exposure.

But there are some potential disadvantages to consider:

Scratch susceptibility

Polycarbonate is more prone to scratching compared to glass. In marine environments where windshields can come into contact with abrasive materials, such as saltwater or sand, scratches may occur over time.

Chemical sensitivity

Some chemicals, such as certain cleaners or solvents, like PVC can cause damage to polycarbonate.

Limited optical clarity

Although polycarbonate provides good clarity, it may not match the optical quality of glass. In some special applications, where superior optical clarity is essential, such as high-end boats or vessels, glass might be preferred.

Higher cost than Acrylic

While not as expensive as glass, polycarbonate can be pricier than acrylic.

What is the Average Thickness of Polycarbonate Windshield?

The average thickness for the boat windshield is 6mm, but some special application that people use 20mm thickness for the boat body. It depends on the practical application.

TAILORED POLYCARBONATE SOLUTION

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sales@exceliteplas.com

+86 135 8555 4902 (China)

+61452 396 680 (Australia)

Block 1 RuiSu Building, 2 Kecheng Rd, Suzhou, China 215122

Australia Branch: 6 Stephen Road, Dandenong South 3175