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Bob Crager
Bob Crager of Lewis Street Glass is a 26 year veteran in the glass business. Lewis Street Glass is a leading Wichita Glass company, serving the entire Wichita/Sedgwick County area since 1919. They do anything and everything having to do with glass, both residential and commercial. They also do Auto glass. They are located at 743 South Market, facing Kellogg on the South, and you can reach them by phone at (316) 263-8259. You can email Bob Crager at bcrager@lewisstreetglass.com
Glass
2010-04-01 13:31:00
Fogging windows – series (part one)
Answer: Let’s talk about the causes first. Multiple paned windows that have been in place for a number of years will, at some point, begin to lose their seals, and that’s when the "fogging" problems due to condensation formation begin. There is no "magical age" for windows to begin having this particular problem. However, if your windows are original, and are much over 10 or 15 years old, you could begin to experience more and more of this type of condition. Sometimes it’s sooner than that, sometimes later, due to the fact that some windows are just manufactured better than others, and that process brings widely divergent results to the window building and delivery marketplace. The "fogging" window problem has been around as long as multiple paned windows have been around, and prevention of the problem completely is unlikely in the face of the evidence to the contrary. Windows that "fog" are normally located in areas that receive direct sunlight during some part of the day. That explains why some of the windows in a home begin this fogging problem, and some others, same make and model, go for years longer before having the same issues start showing up. When this condition begins, some of the "handyman" types will start to try to re-seal their glass in one way or another. I haven’t ever seen anyone be successful at this for several reasons, not the least of which is the inability to remove the moisture from between the panes without removing them. The window glass units will nearly always need to be removed and replaced by someone who has the tools and knowledge to do that job. This requires removing the glass panes from the window frame, along with the "spacer" between the existing panes, and replacing the panes and the spacers with new components. You won’t likely get rid of the "fogging" without replacing the glass itself. The glass panes must be cut precisely, and the new unit installed correctly in the frame. If the reinstallation of the new glass and spacers is not done correctly, you’ve wasted your time and money. It is critical that you have this work done by a company that has a reputation for standing behind their workmanship. Some do, and some only say they do. Do your homework, and know who you’re dealing with before you say yes to anyone. Well done windows should last you a long time before needing further care. Make sure you get a written warranty on the windows you have "re-glassed." A good and reputable company will have no problem with this request. We’ll talk about "fixing the problem," and get into the difference in cost between replacing the glass, or replacing the windows, next month.
 
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