It will only last to its maximum potential lifetime if it sits correctly in the opening without any gaps and all completely sealed. Windows that have been badly fitted will allow water to get between the brick and the frame, leading to endless damp problems and can rot a timber frame underneath. When this happens, it’s crucial you have your double-glazed windows replaced immediately. Condensation on the inside of double glazing means there is a ventilation problem within that particular room and/or property that needs addressing.
This way very little heat is transferred from the inner pane to the outer pane. A double glazed window is made up of two glass panes placed closed together. The space between the two panes is either left as a vacuum or filled with an inert gas. The two panes are separated by a spacer which also keeps the inert gas or vacuum inside the gap. Double glazing uses two panes of glass separated by a layer of argon gas, forming a sealed unit known as an insulated glass unit (IGU).
Foam rubber weather sealing tape for window insulation
Some homeowners have experienced peeling paint while removing this tape, so be very careful when removing it. For example, a double-glazed window that is more sheltered from the weather will typically last longer than a window that’s very exposed to the weather.
Double-glazed windows last on average for about years, but companies will often only guarantee the gas-filled glazing units for between 5 – 10 years. If your double-glazed windows were installed less than ten years ago, your glass unit might still be under the product guarantee. It refers to the formation of water droplets between the two panes of glass within retrofit double glazing the double-glazed unit. While it is fairly straight forward to clean your window frames and glass, a bigger problem is if you see dirt between the two panes of glass. This is usually quite rare, as the vacuum that forms between the panes of glass should not be accessible for dirt. However, as windows get older, it is possible that dirt can get into the area.
What exactly is double glazing?
Windows are designed to open and close smoothly, without much force needing to be exerted. When this is no longer the case, it is not only a nuisance, but presents you with safety problems. If you need to escape your property because of a fire etc and the window fails to open, the cost could be far dearer than the price of replacing them. Condensation is more than just an inconvenience it’s the process of vapour or gas transforming into liquid. Much like how we explained how double glazing works, low-e glass also reflects heat out of and into the household. This means if you use this material in combination with double glazing, it serves to reflect even more heat away from your home, keeping you cooler for longer. The Warm Edge affects the thermal transmission coefficient and can significantly reduce the phenomenon of vapor condensation on the interior surface of the glazing.
With less heat able to leave the room through the window pane, the room stays warmer for longer. The Department of Energy suggests other options to double glazing, such as applying a thin plastic coating over the windows. This might prevent direct sunlight from entering and offer some assistance with solar radiation and heat loss, but it can’t reduce unwanted noise, so it might not be ideal for you.
