Partial replacement
Less work and cost when the frame is sound and only the glass unit needs to be replaced.
Maryland and Washington, DC
Cloudy glass can be indoor moisture or a failed window seal. We diagnose and repair it.
When fall turns toward winter and outdoor temperatures drop, a few windows in your home may look cloudy. Depending on where the fog is forming, the issue may be extra moisture from the indoor-outdoor temperature difference, or it may be more serious because the window seal is failing.
Condensation on glass surfaces happens, for example, on a hot humid day when moisture collects on the outside of your windows. On a freezing day, moisture can form on the inside. Condensation is worse when the outdoor temperature is below the dew point of the indoor air. Water or ice appears when warm, damp air meets colder, drier air.
Single-pane windows or early double-pane wood windows with aluminum spacers can collect condensation. A single sheet of glass provides no insulation, and older double-pane designs tend to conduct heat from the inner pane to the outer pane. Today's windows are designed differently and reduce the transfer of heat or cold between the two glass sheets.
An expert can determine why your foggy glass doors and windows look cloudy, and whether they can be repaired. Windows that are many years old are often ready for replacement, because new window technologies are more energy efficient, easier to operate and maintain, and include better safety features than older windows.
Whether you replace the full window, which means removing the entire existing window including the frame, or choose a partial window replacement depends on the condition of your window. A partial replacement is less work and cost. If there is existing damage around the window, you will likely need to replace the full frame to address mold or decay.
To repair windows with failed seals, you will need to either replace the glass units or replace the sash, depending on the extent of the damage and whether the windows are still under warranty. Most quality windows, such as Marvin, Andersen, and Pella, come with a 20-year warranty for glass seal failure. Some warranties are 10 years.
Most manufacturers include their name or ID, plus a manufacturing date or date code, on the spacer (the material between the panes) or on the bottom of the glass. That marking helps you determine whether the window is still under warranty.
Call Montgomery Glass Pro to diagnose foggy glass and plan the right repair or replacement.
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