If your home is fitted with double glazed windows, you may have noticed mist forming in between the panes.
This problem is more common than you might think — and it can lead to more serious issues. Not only do cloudy windows obscure your view, but they can even cause your home to lose heat and pose a security risk.
Thankfully, double glazing is like bread and butter to our crack team of engineers. They’re always looking for new ways to understand how double glazing becomes ineffective and identify innovative solutions to solve the problem.
To help you understand why double glazing can fail, we asked our operations manager, Kirk, for his expert opinion. Below, he explains what causes double glazing to become cloudy or misted and what you can do to make sure your windows are always in the best condition.
How to tell if double glazing has failed
If you have cloudy or blown double glazing, there are a few telltale signs that you can look out for.
The most obvious way of knowing that your double glazing has failed is that your windows become cloudy or foggy between the panes of glass. Take a look at a comparison:
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- After
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- Before
You can spot earlier signs, too. Water leaking through the window frame of draughts is also an indicator that there is an issue with your double glazing.
What causes cloudy double glazing?
1. Poorly fitted windows
If your windows were improperly installed, they’ll deteriorate quickly. In extreme cases, they could become cloudy in less than a year. But why does this happen?
When double glazing is fitted incorrectly, your window panes and frames won’t be suitably aligned. This means your seals won’t last and gaps will form, allowing air and moisture into your panes.
It’s important to do your research and make sure you choose a highly recommended window fitting company with a proven track record for quality.
2. Using the wrong products
You’d be surprised at how often double glazing can be damaged by human error alone. Many people use harsh chemical products to clean their windows, which is not only unnecessary but can reduce the effectiveness of your windows.
A simple mixture of warm water and white vinegar is the perfect combination to care for your windows and leave them sparkling for longer. Take a look at our full guide to window maintenance to ensure you’re doing everything you can to preserve the life of your double glazing.
3. Damaged seals
Whether it’s due to poor installation or simply wear and tear, broken or faulty seals are one of the most common causes of cloudy and blown double glazing.
Windows are affected by weather conditions and will therefore expand and contract when temperatures rise and fall. Although not visible to homeowners, this movement takes its toll on window seals, made worse by poor materials or shoddy craftsmanship.
Damaged seals allow moisture to find its way between the window panes, which is notoriously difficult to remove. Once inside, the moisture causes condensation and means windows will become misted.
4. Window age
Time is another factor that plays a part in the health of your double glazing. The date that your double glazing was first installed impacts how well they will perform. Not only because the seals will become less effective over time, but also due to modern fitting methods being more reliable than those in previous years.
How to clear misted double glazed windows
Fixing cloudy double glazing is usually a case of replacing your windows altogether. This can be an expensive endeavour, especially if only one misted window needs replacing, as most window fitters will require that you buy an entirely new unit.
This is where we come in.
At Cloudy2Clear, we’ve perfected the technique of repairing faulty double glazing by removing just the pane, not the frame. This method, which we’ve honed over years of service and thousands of happy customers, is not only cheaper but a reliable way to replace faulty double glazing. You can see exactly how much money you could save here.
Our double glazing replacement service is carried out by trained professionals and comes with a 25-year guarantee, so you know you’re in safe hands. Contact your local branch of Cloudy2Clear today for your free, no-obligation quote.
