How to Fix Foggy Windows

Foggy windows are a fairly common problem. If your windows are constantly fogging up, it may be a sign of severe moisture build-up. If your San Diego home is equipped with single-pane windows, the condensation is commonly a result of the temperature difference between the indoors and the outdoors. If you have double pane windows, it can mean a seal was broken. Either way, it’s an issue that shouldn’t be ignored. In this article, you will learn what causes foggy windows and determine if it’s repairable. Each of these cases is dealt with differently, so we’ll cover how to deal with foggy windows to help you decide which type of window will work best for you if a replacement is necessary.

What Causes Foggy Windows?

Foggy windows are most common in extreme temperature seasons: winter and summer. During winter, the air outside is cold while it’s warm indoors, where the heater is running. During summers, the situation is the opposite: the heat outdoors contrasts the cool indoors. In winter, the fog collects on the inside of the windows, while in summer, it collects on the outside.

While single-pane windows contain a single layer of glass, double-pane windows have two separate panes and a pocket of air between. The two pieces are held together by a rubber seal. With time, the seal wears away and allows moisture to get between the panes. This results in the kind of foggy windows that cannot be simply wiped away like in single-pane windows. Other than natural aging, the breakage of seals can be accelerated by poor drainage around the window, which causes the window frame to retain water. Direct sunlight exposure also weakens the seals due to the constant expansion and contraction.

Why should you consider fixing double pane windows in the first place? Well, they have a host of benefits for your house. The internal fogging issue described above is not an everyday problem. It only occurs when the seals begin to deteriorate. High-quality double pane windows can last for years without any moisture problems. Also, they offer the following advantages:

The air between the two panels of glass acts as an insulator that reduces the heat loss during winter and prevents excess heat from getting inside your home during summer. Some are even filled with gases like argon or krypton to raise the window’s insulating properties even higher. Such windows can save you up to 30% of your annual energy bills. That extra cost you incur for double pane window installation is eventually compensated by savings on heating and cooling.

♦ Energy Efficiency

The insulation abilities of these windows also affect sound transmission. If you live on a busy street, you’re constantly bombarded by noise, be it voices of people, cars, and machines. With single-pane windows, the noise levels don’t change drastically even after closing them. Double pane windows offer improved insulation which reduces the noise significantly, turning your home into an oasis of peace and quiet.

♦ Sound insulation

We established earlier that single pane windows have poor insulation properties, which ultimately leads to higher energy bills. Other than replacing them, you have the option of installing storm windows. These windows are fixed on top of the existing windows to enhance insulation. Unfortunately, this means you have to go through the hassle of window installation every time there’s a storm coming and taking them down afterward.

♦ Weather protection

Double pane windows are designed to withstand these extreme scenarios, saving you the trouble. To maximize their efficiency, double pane windows should be installed throughout your house. Should you decide to perform window installation in phases, because of finances or any other reason, it is generally recommended to start with areas of your home where you spend most of your time, like the kitchen and the living room.

How to Fix Foggy Windows

Foggy windows obstruct the view of the outdoors and also reduce the amount of natural light getting into your home. The moisture can also accumulate to the point of forming droplets, which then trickle down to the window frame, sill, and sometimes to the floor, developing water stains, mold, and rot. Even when you wipe the windows every so often, some water has already seeped into the frame.

Wooden frames are especially vulnerable to water damage as extended exposure causes warping and rotting. Since you can’t possibly be around for all instances that call you to intervene, here are a few practical ways of dealing with foggy windows.

This is a small, portable gadget that absorbs moisture from the air, so it no longer condenses on your windows. You can buy several units and place one under each window, or position them around your home depending on your situation. These machines are quiet and energy-efficient, you can leave them running as you go out and you won’t have to worry about the possibility of water pooling under your windows. If your condensation isn’t severe, you can get small dehumidifiers that don’t even require electricity.

♦ Use a dehumidifier

Will the dehumidifier add to your power bill if you leave it running all day? Well, the energy consumption of these machines is generally low. You can also opt for the rechargeable type, which works without being plugged in. The most common in this category contains a renewable silica gel which absorbs moisture. Another advantage of these compact units is that they can be placed anywhere in the house.

Remember, excess humidity is harmful to your health as well. It makes the air muggy, so you’re left feeling hot and sticky. Humidity levels of above 60% can interfere with blood circulation and leave you feeling sluggish. Regulating humidity in your home makes it healthier and more comfortable in addition to protecting it from damage.

Even as you employ a humidifier to dry the air, you can take measures to avoid an unnecessary buildup of moisture. Here’s the simplest one: keep the air moving. If the weather is not too cold, open doors and windows for a while. Stagnant, moist air is more likely to cause foggy windows. The air from outside is relatively dry so the moisture will escape instead of settling on your window panes. You don’t have to open the windows entirely, seeing that you’re still trying to keep the room warm. Just cranking them up a few inches will make a significant difference.

♦ Limit the humidity

If it’s too cold to open your windows, turn on a fan. If you already have a heater on, set the blower to keep fanning the air even if the heat is not coming out. The circulating air will keep the room dry. Remember to keep your curtains open so the breeze can reach the window panes. Here are some additional tips to keep the humidity of your house under control:

With lower moisture levels, the dehumidifier will not have to work too hard. Who knows, you might not need it at all.

♦ Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and the bathroom. These two rooms produce the most moisture in the house.

♦ Eliminate or reduce house plants as they release moisture into the atmosphere. You can place them outside for a while to determine how much (or how little) they add to the problem.

♦ Install a dryer vent in your laundry area to ensure that all moisture is released outdoors when you dry your clothes. Dry them immediately after washing, as damp laundry will only push up the moisture levels. The dryer should be thoroughly sealed. Even a small leak in your dryer will have a severe effect on the amount of moisture.

♦ Keep rainwater away from the house by installing drains and gutters. Should this water seep into the roof, walls, or foundation of your house, the moisture will find its way inside.

♦ Avoid open fish tanks. Reduce evaporation by covering them up. Don’t worry, the fish will be just fine.

♦ To keep the moisture from seeping through your basement walls, you can paint or coat the surfaces with a concrete sealer.

Fog forms when warm air comes in contact with the cooler surface of the windowpane. If you can warm the surface, there will be no condensation taking place. The conventional heater in your house warms the air but does little to change the temperature of the windows. Invest in a portable heater which incorporates a blower.

♦ Warm the windows

You can also get a heater with an adjustable stand, so it can work with windows of different heights. Once you place the heater near a window, the fog rapidly evaporates. The heat also adds to the overall warmth of the space, taking a load off your AC. Just like the defroster function in your car, the purpose of the blower is to eliminate the pressure differential and the condensation along with it.

There are liquid anti-fog solutions that you can apply on the windowpane to keep the moisture from getting into contact with the glass surface. These products are mostly used on bathroom mirrors and car windows. The application is simple – just rub the liquid onto the glass with a lint-free cloth until it disappears. Reapply after a few days or when you see the fog forming again.

♦ Coat the windows

Are Foggy Windows Repairable?

Is there any hope for your foggy double pane windows? We have already established that the fog is a result of a faulty seal. Theoretically, repairing the window would involve separating the panels, cleaning the fog and sealing them back together, ensuring that no moisture is trapped between the panes. Unfortunately, there’s no way to do this on your own.

Some attempt to clean the panes without detaching them. They drill a hole near the top of the pane and insert a cloth attached to a drain snake. This is cumbersome due to the tight spacing between the panes. Besides, once you compromise the seal of your windows, they will never be as efficient as they were when you bought them.

Given that the lifespan of such windows is anywhere between 10 and 20 years, by the time the seal is breaking down, the entire window is already pretty old. You might have the option of replacing the panels while keeping the original frame. The disadvantage here is that foggy windows have already exposed the frame to water damage, especially if the frame is made of wood. Even a new seal won’t do much good on a damaged frame.

Consider replacing your windows entirely. A new set of windows will not only bring the benefits stated above but will also add to the aesthetics of your San Diego home. Replacement windows are a relatively cost-effective way to get rid of any problems while giving your home a facelift.We hope this article helps you deal with your foggy windows. Many of the tasks mentioned above are pretty simple so you can easily do them yourself. For everything else, consult the experts.  Check for the following when shopping for your windows:

♦ Energy efficiency should be at optimum. All double pane windows are energy efficient, but this capacity can be increased further by pumping certain types of gas in between the panes. Check for the performance rating tag for details such as the U-factor, air leakage rate, visible light transfer, and solar heat gain coefficient.

♦ The materials should be weatherproof so they can withstand different temperatures throughout the year. You want your windows to serve you for a decade or two.

♦ Choose between fixed and operable windows, depending on their function. Operable windows come in designs such as double-hung, casement or sliding windows. Fixed windows give a view of the outdoors and let in light, but do not open.

♦ Take aesthetics into account so you can choose replacement windows that will fit perfectly with the design of your home.