What to Know About Fogged Window Replacement in Alaska
When you start to have issues with your window glass looking foggy or dirty, it may be time to consider replacing that window. In some cases, all the cleaning in the world won’t restore the clarity of the window, and over time the dingy-looking nature of the glass can become quite a nuisance, or even an embarrassment if you have company over. Plus, a fogged window is likely not providing the insulation you need to keep your home energy efficient. Ultimately, you’ll find yourself having to invest in fogged window replacement in Alaska.
What causes fogged windows?
To understand what causes fogged windows, you need to know a bit about how two-pane glass windows operate.
An insulating glass unit (IGU) is a type of window that features two panels of glass separated by a space and sealed to each other on every edge. The sealed space in between the panels can be a vacuum or might be filled with a gas (typically krypton or argon). This sealed space helps you insulate your home, keeping warm air in the home during the winter and out of the home during the summer. Not only does this help you maintain a more comfortable temperature in the interior of your home, but it also helps you reduce the amount of work your furnace and air conditioner have to do to regulate the temperature of your home, saving you money on your energy bills.
These benefits all depend on the quality of the seal in the glass. As the seal fails, moist air can begin to enter the space that is trapped in between the panes of glass. When the weather warms up the moisture will evaporate, and when the weather cools down it will condense. This trapped condensation will stay in between the window panes, and it becomes impossible for you to get rid of it simply by cleaning the window glass.
Dealing with the seal
The good news is that this sealed space in your windows doesn’t get compromised very easily. These windows are designed to hold up to heavy loads, extreme temperatures and all types of precipitation. However, there are some circumstances in which the seal simply gets past its usable lifespan, or in which it was not installed properly in the first place. It may be a combination of both of these factors.
Unfortunately, these seals cannot be repaired or replaced. You won’t be able to separate the old panes, clean them and then reseal them properly—not only would this be an extremely difficult process, but the minerals in the air will have scratched the glass, creating permanent damage. The only solution is to entirely replace the window glass (you don’t have to replace the whole window—that is unnecessary).
If you’re interested in learning more about what causes fogged windows and the steps you need to take to either prevent or resolve the issue with fogged window replacement in Alaska, we encourage you to contact the team at Replacement Glass today with any questions you have and we’ll be happy to tell you more.
Categorised in: Fogged Glass, Window Replacement