apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

To my knowledge - yes, it's time for a new window.

Metal windows do not last forever.

I used to live in an apartment that had a window with the same problem. This is caused by a broken seal between the panes.

The first thing I would do is find out if the windows are under warranty. If they are, then you might be able to get them fixed or replaced for free.

If they are not, then I am afraid you are out of luck. There is no way to repair the seal except replacing the entire window, at least from what I have read.

I had the same problem in my house (though the windows got "cloudy" and didn't look as wet) and was told unequivocally that there was no way to fix it. Time to replace the windows, I'm sorry to say.

This person may not rent, though - so new windows may not be an option. Have you considered window film/decals?

http://www.brume.co.uk/

OR

http://www.2jane.com/searchresult.aspx?categoryID=35

(2Jane has a great pixel design)

Holly

I'm an architect. Brian is right that the seal has been broken. Basically, your windows are of the double pane insulated type, two panes of glass with an air space between. When the seal gets broken air from the environment, which inherently has moisture in it, can enter the air gap between the windows. The moisture in the air then condenses on the interior face of the glass leaving you with your "foggy window" problem.

If the windows are cheap, the glass seal could have been broken simply from opening and closing the windows. If the frame surrounding the glass isn't real sturdy it will pull and give and do the same to the glass, effectively breaking the seal in time.

On the positive side, you DON'T have to replace the entire window to fix your problem as has been suggested. Technically the window is the glass AND the metal frame and you don't need to replace the frame. You can simply have the insulated glass replaced and it will fix your problem. However, depending upon just how cheap the windows are, the fix may only be temporary. BUT it should be worth giving it a try to replace the glass and have clear views. And depending upon whether you own or rent, fixing this problem may not even be your responsibility to pay for.

Hope this helps!

I had this problem for years until my husband noticed it, called the building mgmt agent, turns out the windows were on warranty and they were replaced the next week for free.

Clearly I should have asked my husband instead of just hating it for years. Try calling anyway.

I also had this problem years ago. After several seasons of condensation the window cracked. I guess there was build up of pressure from the condensation. I had the glass replaces, keeping the frame. It wasn't too expensive.

Ooh, windows. I have been getting the insulated glass panes replaced -- at a rate of one or two per year -- on a window wall in my home, ever since it was installed about six years ago by a major but much-sued window manufacturer. There is no solution but glass replacement. The dual-pane panels have a limited lifespan, and a severe winter can easily destroy the seal. The technology for insulated glass seems to be stuck back in the dark ages.

Wish I had a better answer, but thought you might like to know you have company out there.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Seems that there is no solution but new windows. This is good to know, though, as I try to stick it to the management company (we are owners in a coop).

Brian - Hope you're still reading this string. I own a coop and had this problem. Almost definitely the windows are the coop's responsibility and they MUST replace the window. Some coops are cheap and will argue, but look at your proprietary lease and tell the board, managing agent and/or super you want this taken care of within, say, 10 days. My guys did it on a dime once I opened my mounth (after being annoyed with it for, like, six YEARS!) Chances are they have dealt with this problem before.

I had a fogged window in my kitchen in a rental apt in brooklyn a few years back and decided to see if drilling a small hole in one of the bottom corners with a glass drill bit would help. the window did dry out, but left a haze when the water had dried inside. was it better? yes!

I am not sure of all the technical details, but up at my parents cottage they had a 15 foot tall one piece double pane window that fogged up. The fix? a specialist came in and for about 100 bucks drilled a hole in the top corner and pumped argon gas into the window and then sealed the hole. Cleared the window right up. Replacement cost on the glass would have been almost 4000 dollars.

I had the same problem in a few windows.
My husband thought I was crazy but one
thing that worked to remove the dry haze was to apply heat-either with a hair dryer or iron. The haze peels off into little flakes inside.
The con to this is that you have a little mound of white stuff lying on the bottom of your window. My trim is white so it doesn't show too much.

Hey OK found the link -

http://www.fogfreewindowrepair.com/

check it out, comes with a warranty too!

A

My parents recently called to say they fixed their foggy windows by having someone come in and drill two tiny, 3mm holes, one near the bottom and one near the top. They pump out the air and install special stoppers. They said they also put some sort of "alcohol" into the panes so that it would help evaporate any moisture still left in the window. The top hole has a one way valve to help vent out the moisture as it evaporates.

The Window Medics revolutionary restoration process works when the sun activates uniquely designed "Defog-it Valves" that are installed on opposite corners of the window. The "Defog-it Valve" allows the moisture laden air that is trapped in-between the panes to escape to the outside world restoring both the clarity of the window and its insulating properties. Now I came across two main companies that offers the service In both US and Canada Window Medics and CCWWI. I called ccwwi for my house in Atlanta to give me a quote, then I called window Medics to give me a quote They where cheaper and did a good job the services was 70% cheaper then replacement. The link for Window Medics website is defogit.com The other company was ccwwi.com I would say go with Window Medics.

Good Luck

Derek Blackburn,
you won I'm sorry for everything i've done wrong against you and your family you will get your company back I promise. I know I'm a thief and a liar for stealing crystal clear window works but now I admit every thing hope I can work for you again some day.

Hello there,

The windows are not in need of replacing!!!!

Spare yourselves that cost.

Why do multiple-pane windows fog?
What happens is that windows get stress, sometimes from bad insulation. The result is that air particles inside get dislodged and as no window is 100% sealed, a small amount of moisture gets in each day and would normlly be no issue, but now it is getting held in by the disloged air particles.

Yes, sometimes the shower, cooking or potplants can cause fog, but if you windows lack stress and have the right RV value, this won't happen.

What's the solution?
To restore the RV value. For a fraction of the cost of a new window, the solution is that you get a window cleaner with defogger equipment to remove the moisture. A very small hole is drilled in the corner of the window, the moisture extracted, the window washed inside, and the window is as good as new.

Luke Jones
Luke Jones Window Cleaning
UK 07921 480 458

It is unfortunate that this good forum is being tarnished with effectively spam. We have requested that editor/moderator of the forum remove the posting.

CCWW holds and retains the US Domestic and International rights for the process of removing moisture and restoring failed units. Any parties claiming otherwise are making fraudulent claims. We invite you to contact CCWW to confirm this comment at info@ccwwi.com

I know that this is probably a stupid question, but can I just bust out one of the panes so that I have a single paned window? Then I would never have the problem of fogged up windows again.

What's unfortunate John Hennessey was That I filed and received a patent in the early 90's for the amenak process in Canada and was to late to file for it in the rest of the world then I license it do Derek Blackburn because of his father and he got screwed.

Well since you might not understand how patents work let me explain it then the people you Scam might know the truth.

When you receive a patent in Canada you have one year to file in other countries since I didn’t have the money to do that this process can never be patented.

What you guys did was filed anyways a couple years ago and since you have a patent pending when people ask you show the application so they think you have rights.


Well good job John Hennessy aka Shrek you did a good Job in creating an illusion
You know what they say you build your house on sand sooner or later it will come crashing down but anyways see you in court next week.


I also invite you to visit us on line at www.defoggers.ca

Who is this John Hennessy Guy?

How come so many people have been complaining that he screwed them?

I did some research and will continue to see what I can come up with.

- So far I know that he was a bouncer at some club.
- Then he went to trade school to become a bartender.
- Some how he got hired to work at ccwwi.


“What a genius”


From being a bartender selling the best scotch to being the ceo of a foggy window company.

erer

Call 1888-defog-it That is Window Medics Iternational. They will take care of it.

Time to replace your foggy double pane windows? Replacement is NOT your only option! Covering all of the Greater Vancouver Area, we fix your moisture problems and make your windows work, again. Call the only certified experts in B.C. at 1-877-9-FOGOFF for savings of up to 70%! Mention reading this post here and get 10$ off per window!

To Whom it may concern:

I am looking for employement. I can also send my resume.

Please email so I can provide for my two boys Nathan & Jason

sidnayel@sympatico.ca

Fogged double panes: Suggest you look at foggeddoublepanewindow.com. This site has a do-it-yourself project that will clear up double pane fogging. Worked well for us on an exterior entry door. Good luck.