We Fix Foggy Windows (aka Condensation Between Window Panes)

Are you squinting to try and see through your foggy windows? Is your morning view being ruined by condensation? Worse, is water collecting around your window frames and damaging the interior of your home?

If your windows are fogging up, there are a few reasons why this is happening. In this post we’ll talk about why windows fog, what you can do about it and your options for replacement and upgrades with our glass experts at Budget Glass Nanaimo.

What Does it Mean to Have Foggy Windows?

Foggy windows are windows that look wet and in more extreme cases, are hard to see through with an annoying film of fog. When there’s a large difference in temperature between the outside and inside environments, moist air collects on the cooler surface, causing condensation and fog.

How Can I Treat My Foggy Windows?

To fix the problem of foggy windows, you’ll need to know why the windows are fogging up in the first place.

There are three main causes:

Condensation on the Outside

Windows that fog up on the outside are completely normal since this happens after a chilly morning when the window is still cool but the air around it begins to warm up. This type of condensation will clear on its own when the glass warms up.

Just like when your car fogs up on a cool morning, the windows of your home can too. If exterior condensation is ruining your morning view, try a product that is designed to repel water. We recommend ClearShield to repel buildup and enhance the clarity of your windows.

Condensation on the Inside

This is caused by moisture inside your house and can strike at any time. It can also be caused by condensation trapped within the window itself. The latter can lead to water damage in your home as well as mold and mildew.

First, give your window a good clean using a quality glass cleaning product to see if grease and grime buildup is making the problem look worse than it is. Sometimes grime buildup (particularly in kitchen windows) can appear as fogginess.

If you’ve given your windows a good clean and still see cloudiness and fogginess and suspect that your foggy windows are being caused by moisture in your home rather than within the sealed window unit, try these steps:

  • Open the windows up wide on a warm, sunny day
  • Turn on your range hood in the kitchen and any bathroom fans to pull out moisture
  • Turn off any humidifiers or scent diffusers for a few days
  • Turn on any fans to get the air moving
  • Check your thermostat and turn up the heat. A couple of degrees is usually all that’s needed
  • Sprinkle dessicants (moisture absorbers) around areas that experience higher levels of moisture (window frames, door frames, etc…) Salt, dry rice and baking soda all work really well to pull moisture from the air.
  • Try a dehumidifier or rent a commercial-quality appliance designed to quickly expel moisture

Condensation Between Window Panes

If the steps above didn’t help, it’s because condensation is collecting between the windowpanes. When this happens, it’s likely that the window’s seal has worn out due to age or is has been broken. All windows wear with time.

Due to weather and sun exposure, the seal will harden and crack. Once the seal is damaged, the only real solution is replacement.

The longer that moisture is allowed to collect, the more you run the risk of moisture collecting inside your home, leading to mold, mildew, ruined carpets and ruined walls.

What Type of Windows Do You Have?

Single Pane Windows

Single pane windows should be replaced whenever possible, even before fogging begins. Single pane windows don’t have an insulating layer, so they are prone to condensation that causes fogginess. Upgrading your windows will help prevent drafts, conserve energy, reduce noise and even increase the value of your home, since today’s double pane windows are designed to last up to 25 years.

Double Pane Windows

Double pane windows are made of two sheets of glass sealed together. What makes them energy efficient is the argon or krypton gas that fills the gap between them. If this airtight seal is broken or a pane cracks, moisture can get into the space between the panes. This leads to that fogginess that’s blurring your view.

Because the two panes are sealed together, both panes would need to be replaced. The good news is that it’s simple and affordable to replace the glass, leaving the window frame intact. Our expert installers will quickly install made to measure replacement sealed window units and frames.

Foggy Window Replacement By Budget Glass Nanaimo

When you need to replace your entire window or you’d like to change the location of the window,  consider our Thermoproof Vinyl Windows. These are Energy Star rated, made to last and very low in maintenance. In fact, all of today’s vinyl and aluminum windows are made to be extremely energy efficient. Choose from double or even triple pane glass and low-emissivity (Low-E) glazing. Low-E glazing is a special coating which deflects light. It’s highly recommended since it helps keep heat outside during the summer and inside during the cooler months, for energy savings and a lowered utility bill, since you’re using less energy to cool and heat your home.

As glass and window specialists at Budget Glass Nanaimo, we can help by selecting and installing the right windows for your home. Choose from double or triple paned, Low-E or even tempered glass products to meet your specific needs. We guarantee the quality of our products and the installation, and will always ensure the work is done right, on time, and within budget. We’ll install your new windows, rain or shine, year round. So, if your windows are fogging or leaking, call Budget Glass at (250) 758-3374 or schedule an appointment online for a free quote today.