Is there any industry standard on how the galss in double pane windows is sealed together ?
That is, if you pull one of your double pane casement windows out and take the window part to a glass shop, and they order a replacement piece of double pane glass from the one shop that serves your city of 300,000 people – are there any industry guide / standards on the sealing method or is it whatever that company does?
i have never seen a magazine article on what methods of sealing keeps them from clouding up inside.
Anyone else
Replies
Is there any industry standard on how the galss in double pane windows is sealed together ?
Not as far as I can tell. This is a major sore point for me. I don't buy windows, just the glass. Around here I get a 5 yr warranty which usually is just about the life span of the seal. What a PITA. I'd sure like to find an alternative, short of old fashioned storms, to replacing the panes so frequently.
I was just discussing this with a different glass company when I picked up replacement panels for my doors. We use large windows and replacement isn't fun, or inexpensive.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
10 year warranty here but its verbal whatever that means - glass shop may not even be in business then, tho the company that makes the doulbe pane probably will be.
If I were to build a new house i do not think i would use double pane windows.
The energy wonks that push double pane windows ignore the replacement costs of the glass
Edited 10/31/2003 4:19:02 PM ET by wain
If I were to build a new house i do not think i would use double pane windows.
The energy wonks that push double pane windows ignore the replacement costs of the glass
Ok, I'll bite... what would you use instead of double pane glass?Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Maybe outside storms if those are still sold?
I'm going with single pane outswing casements, with the long term goal of building inswing sash for all the same jambs. Old buildings all over Northern Europe have that arrangement.
-- J.S.
Sure they are still sold and they aren't a bad alternative in some remodel jobs where the cost of replacing the windows with double panes is weighed against storms but I wouldn't recommend them for new construction for several reasons.
First, I'm not sure buying single pane windows and frames and a set of storm windows and frames is going to be cheaper than just buying a quality double pane, with a good warranty, to start with. Second, even if they were, the energy savings with the double panes is going to make up the difference pretty quickly. Third, you might still come out financially ahead if the double pane owner was careless, and his homeowner's policy didn't cover the cost of replacing a broken double pane now and then, but fog free windows, that don't trap dirt and junk between the layers of glass, are surely worth a little added expense.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -