Double pane windows can help keep your home comfortable, reduce outside noise, and even lower your utility bills due to better temperature control. But if you notice condensation inside your windowpanes, it means the seal is damaged and the windows aren’t able to perform as well anymore. If this is the case, you can count on our team at Joey’s Glass for fast, affordable Baytown window repair or replacement.
How Does Condensation Get Inside My Windows?
Double pane windows are filled with gas that is trapped between the two layers of glass. The most common gas used is argon. Sometimes, other gases like krypton are used, but argon is pretty standard.
Why put gas in there instead of just air? Because these gases are better at preventing heat from moving through the window. Think of it like this: the gas acts as a barrier. It slows down how quickly heat can escape your house in the winter and how quickly outside heat can get in during the summer. This is what we mean by “insulating.” So, when your window seal breaks, not only does moisture get in, but that special insulating gas also leaks out. Once the gas is gone, the space between the glass fills with regular air. Regular air doesn’t insulate nearly as well as argon or other specialized gases. If you notice condensation in your windows, it means that the gas has likely leaked out and allowed outside air to infiltrate your windows.
What Caused My Window to Become Unsealed?
Many things can cause double pane windows to fail. It’s not always about obvious damage, like a rock hitting the glass. One big reason for failure is pressure changes. During the day, the sun beats down on your windows, heating up the glass. As we know, when things get hot, they tend to expand, even glass. Then, when night comes and the temperature drops, the glass cools down and shrinks back. This constant expanding and shrinking puts stress on the seals around the edges of the glass. Extreme temperature swings, like a sudden cold front after a very hot day, make this expansion and contraction even more dramatic. Over time, this repeated stress can weaken the seals. Imagine bending a paperclip back and forth many times – eventually, it will break. The same kind of thing can happen to the seals on your double pane windows. When these seals weaken or break, even just a tiny bit, it creates a way for moisture from the air to get trapped between the two panes of glass.
So, what can you do to help your windows last longer? Keeping the temperature inside your home as steady as possible can make a difference. Avoid drastic changes in temperature if you can. For example, if you go on vacation, don’t turn your thermostat way down in the winter or way up in the summer. Maintaining a more consistent indoor temperature reduces the amount of expansion and contraction your window glass goes through, which can help protect those important seals and potentially extend the life of your double pane windows.
What Do I Do If I See Condensation in My Window?
Typically, when your double pane windows fail, your Baytown window repair company will need to replace certain components of your window. The good news is, most of the time you won’t need an entire window replacement if you see condensation in your windows. The frame of your window is usually still in good shape, so the problem can usually be fixed by focusing on the failed part. This means replacing the insulated glass unit (IGU). Think of the IGU as the sealed sandwich of two glass panes and the stuff in between.
The repair process typically involves:
- Removing the old IGU: The window repair technician will carefully take out the old, failed glass unit from your window frame.
- Measuring for a new IGU: They will take precise measurements to ensure the new glass unit fits perfectly.
- Ordering a new IGU: A new double pane glass unit with a fresh seal will be ordered.
- Installing the new IGU: Once the new unit arrives, the technician will install it into your existing window frame and seal it properly.
This type of repair is generally less expensive and less disruptive than replacing the entire window. It addresses the core problem – the broken seal and the resulting condensation.
Get Baytown Window Repair or Replacement
As soon as you notice a problem, make sure to call your Baytown residential glass repair company and take care of your windows before they get worse. At Joey’s Glass, we offer services for residential glass, commercial glass, and auto glass. Whether you need replacement or repair for home, business, or car, we have you covered. We have been offering affordable and practical solutions for all of your glass needs since 1973. Get a free window quote now!