We have three picture double pane windows in our great room. The middle one has recently started gathering condensation in between the panes. Did we break a seal or something? Can it be fixed or do we have to replace the entire window?

 

This happened to a few of our windows.

Yes, it's a break in the seal between the panes and it can be repaired.

Call a window specialist.

It costed us about $100 for the guy to fix about 3 windows, so it wasn't too bad.

 

Call a glass shop to replace the double pane glass unit. A picture window will be a lot more than $100.00 depending on size and the type of glass.

 

Some IGU's can be repaired- others are either too far gone, or the repair simply will not work. I wouldn't recommend a temporary repair to any IGU, although I'm glad it worked for HotinOKC and saved him some money. It would be interesting to hear how long his repair lasts... keep us posted, HotinOKC!

Some IGU's fail when the glass actually separates from the spacer and compromises the edge sealant. Others fail because the dessicant within the spacer can no longer absorb the amount of moisture that is between the panes.

The glass can be replaced, the whole window does not need to be removed, and depending on the size of the glass it may be between $150-250 to have it replaced. Perhaps more if you are a long distance from the city. Everything costs more in Colorado, doesn't it?

 

It's been over two years now without a problem. It wasn't so much condensation as it was a fog type effect between the glass. He removed all the caulking, pulled the glass out, cleaned, and resealed.

 

Thanks for the replies! Luckily this is very low on our remodel priority list - it mostly interferes with deer watching and in winter there ain't much to look at but snow. However we know a glass guy in the city who we have worked with quite a bit, so hopefully he can give us a good deal.

Everything is more expensive in Colorado? Sometimes, but for us living semi rurally, yes usually - especially when is comes to delivery!

 

"Repairing" an IG unit is imply not an option. You are going to be replacing it.

"$100" isn't even a realisitic number.