Have you ever experienced an unwelcome draft in your home? Are you struggling to keep your house insulated as winter approaches?
Don’t worry: you’re not alone. Ottawa residents know all about the struggles of keeping a house warm through the winter.
Double-pane windows might be right for you if you want to increase your house’s energy efficiency or save on your energy bill during Ottawa’s long winter. These windows provide extra insulation and help keep heat inside your home.
Unfortunately, the design of double-pane windows makes them prone to fogging. If you’re struggling to defog your double-pane windows, keep reading below. We have more information on double-pane windows and the best ways to defog them!
What is a Double Pane Window?
A double-pane window is made up of two panes of glass — you might have guessed that from the name! These panes are connected to the window frame and sealed in place.
Double pane windows are sealed in two places: once on the inside, which protects against moisture, and once on the outside, which reinforces the window and provides extra strength. These seals also help to secure a “spacer,” which holds water-absorbing chemicals. The spacer prevents fog from forming between the frames.
Between the two panes of glass is either empty space or a layer of argon gas. Argon gas increases the energy efficiency of double-pane windows by reducing heat transfer between the inside and outside of the window. This colorless gas is found in the highest-quality double-pane windows.
Benefits of Double Pane Windows
Double-pane windows are superior to single-pane windows in terms of insulation. Because they contain two panes of glass, they are better at maintaining your home’s temperature. Estimates vary on how much you can save per month on your energy bill, but most experts agree that installing double-pane windows leads to long-term savings.
For this reason, it is recommended that people who live in areas with extreme weather install double-pane windows. They work equally well for keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Double-pane windows can also help with noise reduction. They are a great option for city dwellers who want to maintain peace inside their houses.
Another plus? Double-pane windows don’t require the use of storm windows. This is a huge convenience for people who dread the hassle of installing storm windows when the seasons change.
Today, double-pane windows are available in a variety of different styles. Almost any window you can buy as a single-pane model is also available with double panes. That means that you can maintain the unique style of your home in order to have more energy-efficient windows.
Why Do Double Pane Windows Fog Up?
Double-pane windows fog up when their seals break. Broken seals allow moisture to become trapped between the two panes of glass, which is hard to clean or remove. A fogged window is hard to see out of and can appear dirty.
The most common reason that window seals break is from use over time. If your windows have already been installed for between ten and twenty years, seal failure is to be expected. For this reason, replacing your windows every fifteen years is a good idea.
Seals can also break if there is too much moisture around the window. For example, if there is no good drainage system in your house, direct exposure to heavy rainfall could create a problem. Exposure to direct sunlight can also heat the glass on your windows and cause the panes to shift and break, creating fog issues.
How To Defog Windows
Before you take apart your double-pane windows or call in the professionals, try placing a dehumidifier near the window, you would like to defog. This can help you remove excess moisture from the area. If effective, a dehumidifier can serve as a great temporary solution.
If a dehumidifier doesn’t solve your fog issues, you might need to access the inside of your double-pane windows. To do so, you can drill a small hole in the window’s top corner.
Once you’ve drilled a hole, let the window sit for a day or two and see if the moisture evaporates. The problem should resolve itself with the new ventilation hole you’ve drilled.
If this does not work, you can use the hole that you drilled to insert a thin towel or brush between your window panes. This will allow you to clean your window glass from the inside.
If you’re afraid to drill into your windows or want a professional opinion on how to defog a window, contact a window expert in your area. They can defog a window quickly and without risk of damage to your home.
How To Prevent Fog
In an ideal world, you could prevent fog before you have to treat it. But window failure becomes inevitable as windows age. The best way to prevent foggy double-pane windows is to replace your windows before the seals break.
As a general rule of thumb, installing new windows every fifteen years is a good idea. You should also watch out for any cracks or rot on your windows. This is another sign that it’s time to replace them.
Defog Windows With Confidence
The information outlined above should give you a better understanding of your double-pane windows. Knowing how they work will help prevent fog or defog a problematic window. And once you’ve learned to defog, you can enjoy all the benefits of your double-pane windows with no headaches.
We encourage Ottawa residents to install double-pane windows at Window Medics if they still need to. They’re a great way to protect yourself from the elements and stay comfortable in your home.
Whether you’re looking to get started with double-pane windows or need help learning how to defog windows, contact us today. We’re here to help!
