Updated: 23 September 2026 · EuroVan Shop
In short: Choose a push-out window for maximum airflow and ventilation in light rain (it opens outwards like an awning). Choose a sliding window where nothing may stick out: behind a sliding door, under a roof ladder or next to a pavement. Both EuroVan families come with a blackout blind and mosquito net, ECE R43 approval, and fit vans, motorhomes and caravans.
See all campervan windowsWhat is the difference between a sliding and a push-out window?
A push-out window (also called an awning or hinged window) is hinged at the top. You push the pane outwards and it stays open on stays, in several positions. A sliding window has two panes: one slides sideways behind the other inside the frame, so nothing ever projects beyond the bodywork.
That single mechanical difference drives everything else: airflow, behaviour in the rain, where you can fit the window and how the van looks from outside.
Sliding vs push-out: side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Push-out window | Sliding window |
|---|---|---|
| Opening area | The whole pane opens | About half the window opens |
| Ventilation in light rain | Yes, the open pane acts as a small canopy | Limited, rain can enter the open half |
| Projects outside the body | Yes, when open | Never |
| Behind a sliding door or under a ladder | Not suitable | Ideal |
| Locking | Stays with several locked positions | Lock on the inside |
| EuroVan models | VanShade, VanLight, VanSquare, VanCurve | VanSlide, VanSlide+, VanSlide Square |
| Largest cut-out | Up to 1570 × 575 mm (VanSquare) | Up to 1200 × 500 mm (VanSlide Square) |
All EuroVan windows except the single-glazed VanSlide use double acrylic glazing, and all are delivered with an interior frame, blackout blind and mosquito net.
When is a push-out window the better choice?
Pick a push-out window for the living area, the kitchen and the bed, where airflow matters most. Because the whole pane opens, it moves more air than a sliding window of the same size, and the tilted pane keeps light rain out, so you can sleep with it open.
- Kitchen and living area: clears cooking steam and condensation quickly.
- Bedroom at the rear: a push-out window in each rear door gives cross-ventilation at night.
- Motorhomes and caravans: the classic replacement for an old hinged window, in the same cut-out.
Choose the tint to match the room: dark (30% light transmission) for privacy, light grey (70%) for a bright interior.
When is a sliding window the better choice?
Pick a sliding window wherever an open pane would get in the way or get damaged: behind a sliding side door, under a roof ladder or bike rack, or on the pavement side in town. The pane stays inside the frame, flush with the bodywork, and locks from the inside.
The VanSlide+ is the double-glazed version with a light tint: the better choice if you travel in cold weather or want to limit condensation. The VanSlide is single-glazed with a dark tint, for privacy at a lower price.
Which window type goes where in a van?
| Position | Recommended type | Maximum cut-out (L2H2 van) |
|---|---|---|
| Sliding side door | Sliding | Measure between the door ribs |
| Side panel (living area, kitchen) | Push-out | 970 × 520 mm |
| Rear doors (bed) | Push-out | 500 × 520 mm (Ducato, Jumper, Boxer, Sprinter, Crafter) or 500 × 450 mm (Master, Movano, NV400) |
| Next to a roof ladder or bike rack | Sliding | According to the free panel area |
On an L1H1 van the side panel takes up to 700 × 400 mm; on L3H3 and L4H3 vans, up to 1100 × 550 mm. These maximums are indicative: ribs and reinforcements vary between model years. Any EuroVan window fits as long as its cut-out fits in the free area of your panel. See our window size guide to plan the layout.
Which is more secure: sliding or push-out?
Both are secure when closed and locked, and neither can be opened from outside. The difference is how you ventilate when you leave the van. A sliding window such as the VanSlide locks from the inside even when half-open, and the VanSlide+ central lock keeps it ajar while you are away. A push-out window is best closed when you leave; the VanShade and VanLight lock in three opening positions for use while you are inside.
Read our guide on campervan window security for simple habits that add peace of mind.
Which window type helps most against condensation?
Double glazing matters more than the opening type. A double-glazed pane keeps the inner surface warmer, so less moisture condenses on it. Every EuroVan window is double-glazed except the VanSlide; if you travel in winter, choose the VanSlide+ rather than the VanSlide for a sliding position.
Ventilation does the rest: a push-out window left on its first position, combined with a roof window with permanent ventilation, lets moist air escape overnight. See our guide to condensation in a campervan.
STYLE 40x40 with ventilation
Roof window for the standard 400 × 400 mm cut-out, with 100 cm² permanent ventilation.
Replacing a window on a caravan or motorhome
Bought a used caravan or motorhome with a cracked or crazed window? EuroVan windows (except the VanCurve, designed for curved van walls) fit flat walls from 25 to 75 mm thick with their aluminium counter-frame. Measure the existing cut-out (width × height) and pick the same cut-out size: the exterior frame is 30 mm larger on each axis and covers the old edge.
Replacing the roof light at the same time? Our roof windows exist in the standard 400 × 400, 700 × 500 and 960 × 655 mm cut-outs.
Is one type easier to fit than the other?
No. Both families fit the same way: cut the opening with a jigsaw, fit a wooden batten frame (25 mm minimum on a panel van), bed the window in Sikaflex 265 and screw the aluminium counter-frame from inside. Plan about one hour per window and two people to hold it in place. Our step-by-step fitting guide covers every stage.
Sikaflex Window Kit
Sikaflex 265 + Activator 205 + Primer 507: everything to bond one window.
Not sure which size fits your panel?
Send us a photo of your van or caravan wall with its measurements. Our France-based technical team answers within 24 hours.
Ask our technical teamFrequently asked questions
Are sliding or push-out windows better for ventilation?
Push-out windows ventilate more because the whole pane opens, and the tilted pane keeps light rain out. Sliding windows open only about half their area but never project outside the van.
Can I put a push-out window on a sliding side door?
No. An open push-out pane would hit the bodywork when the door slides back. Use a sliding window such as the VanSlide or VanSlide+ on a sliding door.
Are acrylic campervan windows road legal?
EuroVan windows are ECE R43 approved, the European standard for vehicle glazing, accepted in the UK (DVLA, MOT) and across Europe.
Do the windows come with a blind and mosquito net?
Yes. Every EuroVan window except the VanLight window-only version is delivered with an interior frame, blackout blind and mosquito net.
Can I use these windows on a caravan?
Yes. They fit flat walls from 25 to 75 mm thick, so they replace worn caravan and motorhome windows as long as you choose the same cut-out size.
Ready to choose? Filter by type, tint and cut-out size.
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