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After 15 years, my double pane thermal windows have developed moisture between the panes. This has developed in almost all of the windows of the house at almost the same time. It starts as a hazy film and progresses to obvious moisture and eventual opacification of some of the windows. Is this the normal life-span of double pane thermal windows? Has the technology and life span of these windows become better in the past 15 years or can I expect the same problems with replacement panes?
Steve Kessler
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Check with window manufacturers as to the length of their warranty on the seals of their thermal panes. Around here, about 20 years ago, you used to get a 10 year warranty, now you get 5 years. It appears to me, they must be getting worse, not better. Kind of makes you wonder why one would pay for argon gas etc. to be put in the thermal panes though!
cheers
*SimonMy experience is opposite to Steve's in that In Canada, 20 years ago warranty's for seal failure were 5 years, and now they are 10 or better. It's typical that they would all go at once having come from a like batch. I've had this happen on two seperate projects, within warranty, except they only replace the thermal unit, no labour for R&R, and I recently had them hold back a deposit until I returned the faulty units "so they could be checked for warranty conditions". SOB's
*For some windows and climate zones this may be very well the normal life of the windows. If it were me I'd check with a local seller of the windows and would find the warranty for them.If you haven't had anything like an earthquake that cracked the whole house I doubt there is any other factor than age.I notice that some manufacturers are limiting their warranties, more from a legal liability perspective than an actual life span reduction. I do notice that there are a number of local window manufacturing plants that produce windows for that climate. You may want to look around for one of those in your area.
*SteveSince insulated glass is manufactured, it is prone to defects. I have weather shield windows less then 10 years old. They stamp a date on the spacer bar between the glass and every window (regardless of size) manufactured on the same date has failed. One must assume it was a bad day on the production line. They are still under warranty but under their pro-rated system I can buy the glass locally at 50% of their discounted price.Technology has little to do with it. If the $7.00/hour "mechainic trainee" putting the glass together had a bad night who knows how long the glass will last? Many things cause failure. Window repairs ain't a bad buisness, keeps me busy
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I dont suppose..that by any chance..you put 3M film or a similar product to cut down UV..on your windows???
Are these in wood sash or aluminum???
3M film..will cause the seals..to fail...It causes the interior space to heat up...and fries the seals...3M...denies..the rumours.. / allegations...but I have seen it more than once...and it is a significant problem
If you are in wood sash, and the bottom seal between the wood and the pane has allowed water in so that the seal is resting on water...that will cause the seal to fail.
If the glazing..was not set on setting blocks...and is not above the aluminum or wood frame on the bottom, that could be a failure due to condensation from the interior space. As above, the seal fails, because it is sitting in water. I just went through this..with the Milgard Rep and my Glass Sub.
Best of luck...
Buy...Dual Glaze...Dual Sealed...sash...that will eliminate..the prob...
DN
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After 15 years, my double pane thermal windows have developed moisture between the panes. This has developed in almost all of the windows of the house at almost the same time. It starts as a hazy film and progresses to obvious moisture and eventual opacification of some of the windows. Is this the normal life-span of double pane thermal windows? Has the technology and life span of these windows become better in the past 15 years or can I expect the same problems with replacement panes?
Steve Kessler