About Me

Great Home and Garden Improvement Tips

Hi! My name is Gary and this is my home and garden improvement blog. My passion for working on my home and garden began when I bought my first house. It was a run down little place in the suburbs of Sydney. Even though the place was in a bit of a state, it was in a fantastic location. I spent many hours reading up on DIY and gardening tips before setting about improving the place. It was a lot of hard work but it was also a lot of fun. I learnt a lot during that time so I decided to start this blog.

Search

Archive

Latest Posts

Great Home and Garden Improvement Tips

Foggy Double Glazing - How To Fix It

by admin

Double glazing is wonderful for keeping your home warm during the winter, saving you money by preventing the loss of expensive heat, and stopping drafts.  However, a common problem is irritating 'fogging' that can really spoil your view.  But what causes fogging-up of your windows and what can you do to solve the problem?  Read on to find out more.

What causes 'fogging'?

Fogging of your double glazed windows is caused when condensation becomes trapped between the two panes of glass.  The result is a decidedly misty outlook.

The two panes of glass that form a double glazed window are separated by many silica balls fixed into a spacer bar.  These silica balls soak up any moisture that forms between the panes of glass, thus preventing fogging.  After several years, the silica loses its efficiency and capacity for absorption, allowing condensation to form.

What can you do to tackle 'fogging'?

If the double glazing units 'break down' and fogging occurs before the expiry of the guarantee period, you are well within your rights to expect the supplier to replace the units free of charge.  If the breakdown occurs outside of the guarantee period, you will either have to have the units repaired or replaced altogether at your own expense.

Replacement is the most expensive option, but if the window frames are in good condition, a good double glazing company will be able to remove the existing glass, beading and spacers and replace them, whilst leaving the frames in situ.

It may be possible to have the fogged units repaired; a much cheaper option than replacement.  Repairs are carried out by drilling a tiny hole in the external window pane and installing a vent.  It should be noted that this is a job for a professional double glazing firm, not a DIY project.

Prevention

You can help to prevent condensation forming on the inside of your windows and potentially damaging them by placing trays of silica balls on the inside window sills.  You can obtain these from good DIY stores and, sited discreetly behind your curtains, they will prevent fogging quite effectively.

It's also important to keep your rooms well-ventilated to prevent the build-up of moisture.  Extractor fans fitted in your external walls or plug-in dehumidifiers in rooms that are prone to becoming damp are a good way of tackling this problem. 

In conclusion

If your double glazing fogs-up, check your supplier's guarantee to see if you are entitled to replacement units.  Alternatively, contact your local double glazing company to discuss the possibility of repairs.

Share