Why Repairing Double Glazed Windows Is Your Next Big Obsession
Repairing Double Glazed Windows
Double glazing is an excellent investment for your home. Over time, it can develop problems like misting and condensation.
This can be due to a number of reasons but is usually down to the seals no longer being air-tight, causing a loss in the gas that acts as an insulation between the glass panes. It can be helpful to know how to repair double glazing.
Broken Panes
A cat's claw, a stray lawnmower ball, or a stone that is thrown can cause a double-glazed window to shatter. This allows heat or cold to flow more easily between two layers of the glass, reducing insulation and increasing energy costs. If both windows have cracked, it's time to call an expert to replace the windows.
If one of the panes is damaged but is not completely broken it may still feasible to repair it. The first step is to remove the old pane from the frame, wearing gloves and a pair of work glasses. Then, using a painter's tool and gradually warming it using a heating gun, take out the loose putty from the edges of the broken glass. Apply a piece or aluminum foil on adjacent panes to keep them from cracking as the putty is removed.
Once the frame is ready for the new pane, you need to grease the cutter with an inexpensive glass cutting tool -- available in most hardware stores -- with light oil such as WD-40. Cut the glass along the perimeter, approximately one inch from the edge. Then, place the glass inside the rabbets (the grooves with an l) in the window frame. Then, use the tool's chiseled tip to remove any remaining putty from the edge of the glass.
Press glazier's tips into the frame in intervals of six inches around the joint where the glass joins the frame. Then, apply a second cord of glazier's compound to the frame-glass joint, and smooth it out using the putty knife. If your windows are metal, paint the joints with an anti-rust primer specifically designed specifically for your particular type of metal.
Cracks
Although it's rare double glazing cracks can occur suddenly, particularly in older windows. The cause is often due to pressure differences between the two panes glass, which are caused by extreme temperature changes. window repair near is the reason it's crucial to keep your blinds closed during hot weather, and not open them too much when the sun is shining - this will prevent excessive heat from accumulating between the two panes of glass.
The best way to prevent cracks in your double-glazed windows is to ensure the frames are secure, particularly at the hinges, locking mechanisms and handles. Double glazed windows should be easy to open and close without sagging or catching. Wiping the hinges and mechanisms with a bit of oil may aid, as can changing the locks and screws to ensure they're secured enough.
It is important to keep in mind that a window that is cracked is not just ugly and can also be risky. If you have cracks in your double glazing and see glass shards that are falling off on the floor, contact an emergency glazier as it's probably best to replace the broken pane of glass completely rather than fixing it.
Additionally, any condensation between the two panes of glass suggests that there's an issue with the seals and should be fixed straight away. A professional glazier with a good reputation can cut into the seal and inject or pump a drying agent, typically desiccant, into the window to rid it of any moisture. This is a fast inexpensive and efficient solution to this problem. Be aware that this is only an interim solution and you'll have to replace the windows in the near future.
Condensation
Condensation is a concern with older double glazing. Condensation occurs when moisture in the air is drawn into the gap between the glass panes and then it condenses at night. This is a normal event and not an indication of any issue with the glass or windows, however it can be a source of frustration for homeowners because it hinders the double glazing from operating properly as it ought to.
Add vents or trickle-vents to the frame to let air flow, removing any condensation in your home. Adding this will also aid in keeping heat inside the house and reduce energy costs in the long run.
Sometimes, a professional can fix the problem without having to replace the entire window. They'll drill tiny holes into the window to let out any moisture that has been trapped, and then apply an anti-fog coating.
It is a good idea to contact the company that you purchased your double glazing from immediately you begin experiencing problems. This is to allow them to send out a technician to check the situation and address any issues prior to them getting worse. It is a good idea that all communications be in writing. This is done via email or a letter.
It is possible to fix certain things yourself, but it is typically faster and more efficient to employ a professional. This is especially the case for issues that require specialized equipment. Furthermore, a professional will typically provide a guarantee for their work, which you won't necessarily receive if you try and fix the double glazing yourself.
Draughts
Double-glazed windows are becoming increasingly popular as they help to improve energy efficiency, reduce the amount of noise that can be heard inside the home and protect furniture from damage caused by ultraviolet light. They also help reduce condensation which is a frequent cause for mould. If they're properly installed, it's easy for air to leak through the gaps between the glass panes, causing drafts.
In double-glazed windows, the space between the two panes is filled with an insulating gas. The spacer bar is usually filled with a desiccant that helps to draw moisture out of the gap and prevent interior condensation. However, as the desiccant is no longer able to eliminate moisture from the spacer bar, it is possible for condensation to develop between the panes of glass. This is a common problem with double glazing that is not properly made however it is easily fixed by drilling holes in the glass or spacer, and then inserting the dehumidifier.
The space between the two glass panes in a double glazed window acts as an insulator by limiting the transfer of cold air from outside into your home. The insulation performance can be improved even further by using an inert, low-conductivity gas like argon to fill the gap.
Double glazed windows are more costly than single-glazed windows for installation, but they're often well worth the investment since they lower cooling and heating costs, and help protect furniture from UV damage, and improve the value of your property. If you're considering installing double-glazed windows in your home, work with an experienced installer such as Thermawood. Their retrofit double-glazing system allows you to take advantage of all the benefits of a quality IGU without removing the frames and cladding.
Replacement
Double glazing offers numerous benefits to homeowners. it improves energy efficiency and reduces condensation and noise. It also reduces the possibility of draughts and mould building up on your window panes. However, they're not indestructible and issues can occur. You can repair most problems with double glazing instead of replacing them, thereby saving money and the hassle of installing new windows.
Double glazing owners often have to repair a leaky seal. If this is the case, it is important to get in touch with a professional to arrange for a window installer to come out and make the repairs required.
A window that isn't easy to open or shut can also be a problem. This could be due heat, or because the mechanism has become stiff over time. Try cooling the mechanism down and lubricating handles or hinges to resolve the issue. It could also be the case that the frame is sagging or has dropped and requires realignment.
Misting is another issue which can be easily fixed. This happens because the seals made of rubber that hold the two glass panes in place break down over time. The frames are prone to shifting in a slight manner in time, and the packaging material that holds them in place compacts. This causes panes to move, and break the seal.
Drilling holes into the affected glass can be used to remove moisture. This is an interim solution and is likely to need repeated. Installing trickle vents inside your frames will be the best long-term solution. They let fresh air into the room, while preventing warm air from leaving.