# Blue Windows on Catering Trucks
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 12, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350 "2010-07-12T02:35:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Fenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenster)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/1 "2010-07-12T02:35:09Z")
Hi All,
I’m trying to figure out why blue-tinted windows are a common feature on catering/lunch trucks. Often, the overhead sunlights and side service windows are blue. When not blue, the windows may be untinted, but almost never another color.
A few examples from different manufacturers:
[ul][li][http://www.cateringtruck.com/catering\_trucks.htm](http://www.cateringtruck.com/catering_trucks.htm)[/li][li][http://www.cateringtruck.com/AR01\_4\_Photo2.htm](http://www.cateringtruck.com/AR01_4_Photo2.htm)[/li][li][http://www.wysscateringtrucks.com/index.htm](http://www.wysscateringtrucks.com/index.htm)[/li][li][http://www.westcoastcateringtrucks.com/interior.html](http://www.westcoastcateringtrucks.com/interior.html)[/ul][/li]
I’ve emailed a few of them with the question, but have not received any replies. 🙂
What’s so special about combining blue windows with food service?
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/2 "2010-07-12T02:59:13Z")
Those aren’t catering trucks.
[THIS is a catering truck!](http://www.helloseattle.com/media/articles/large/1157_image1_large.jpg)
😃
Interesting question. I’ve noticed the blue tint, but never gave it any thought. Maybe blue has a psychological effect, making the caterers feel cooler than they would if they had amber tinting?
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/3 "2010-07-12T05:10:20Z")
This is only a guess, but maybe it’s to help with the heat from the sun beating in, yet still allow customers to see inside, unlike with dark-tinted windows.
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### Author:  [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2010, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/4 "2010-07-12T14:43:27Z")
They might be made out of PVC instead of acrylic or Lexan. (The generic term for the plastic of Lexan is evading me at the…ahhh polycarbonate!)
“Clear” PVC has a blueish tint, quite noticeable when thicker than 1/8" or so.
Smartassed answer: The cockroaches prefer blue light.
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### Author:  [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/5 "2010-07-12T22:18:35Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> Those aren’t catering trucks.
>
> [THIS is a catering truck!](http://www.helloseattle.com/media/articles/large/1157_image1_large.jpg)
Is that what they call “Feeding at the trough”?
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### Author:  [@goldmund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goldmund)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/6 "2010-07-12T23:29:02Z")
From [http://www.energysavers.gov/your\_home/windows\_doors\_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13410](http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13410)
> [@](#):
>
> Blue- and green-tinted windows offer greater penetration of visible light and slightly reduced heat transfer compared with other colors of tinted glass. In hot climates, black-tinted glass should be avoided because it absorbs more light than heat.
Could have something to do with it. I would imagine it gets pretty hot in there.
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### Author:  [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/7 "2010-07-19T03:34:01Z")
Iteresting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with blue windows here.
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [July 19, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blue-windows-on-catering-trucks/546350/8 "2010-07-19T04:43:11Z")
I finally remembered to ask the guy that runs the roach coach that stops at work.
He had no idea (and his truck has blue windows)