In an older home, it’s not uncommon to see condensation in between the 2 panes of glass on some of the windows. So I wondered if it was possible to DIY double pane foggy window repair.
Here’s what I learned about how to remove moisture from between window panes:
Double pane foggy window repair can be done by drilling 2 small holes on the outside pane of glass. As the sun hits the window, the trapped moisture & condensation get released. Then glue small plastic tubes in the holes to prevent further moisture from getting into the window.
But that’s just a quick rundown of the process. So in this post, we’re diving in deep into glass window leaks and repairs.
We’ll examine the causes, preventative measures, and finally how to fix them. So if you have ever wondered can double pane windows be resealed? Read on.
Specifically, we’re going to go step-by-step on how to do double pane foggy window repair.
That way you can learn about defogging double pane windows and save yourself considerably on avoiding replacing those leaky windows.
Co-authored with Alex Omelchenko of Apex Window Works: a home window repair & replacement company.
“Frosted window panes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree…” This is generally the sign of a single-pane or malfunctioning double-pane window. Or in this case, it was just before I finished sealing the inside pane. https://t.co/OViYoGXAw9 pic.twitter.com/907gTjozQ9— Andrew Badenoch ? (@feralist) January 21, 2018
Can foggy double pane windows be repaired?
It is possible to get condensation out of fogged windows without replacing the windows. It requires drilling 2 small holes which will allow the trapped moisture to evaporate during the heat of the day. Then once clear, the holes get plugged.
Don’t worry. The step-by-step is down below.
You can, of course, replace the whole window which could be upwards of $1000 or more. Or you can find a repair company that can replace the double pane glass unit as a whole.
You see, the way double pane windows work is with 2 panes of glass that are sealed. When that seal fails, that’s when condensation gets in. So some repair companies will simply slide the 2 pieces of sealed glass into your existing window frame.
Trouble is, that’s almost as expensive as a new window.
Particularly in humid areas where the climate changes are quite extreme, wooden window frames are usually to blame.
When too much moisture builds up in the wooden frames, the wood begins to rot, in time causing the window’s seal to fail. By the time fogginess has appeared between the panes of glass, this indicates that the window’s seal has been compromised, which lets moisture seep inside.
If rotted wood is the problem check out just how easy it is to Replace Rotten Wood on a Window (click to read my detailed article).
Once the seal is damaged on your thermal windows, it cannot be re-sealed. Usually at this point, replacing the windows is advisable, but it is very costly.
However, there is a chance you can do double pane window fogging repair by fixing it yourself. There is a chance you may crack the glass, in which case you’ll have to call a pro.
But there’s a chance you can fix it yourself and you could save a lot of money!
How do double pane windows work?
The way that double-pane windows, also known as thermal windows (or insulated glass windows or I.G.U.s) work is by providing an additional layer of insulation.
This additional level of insulation helps your home to maintain a consistent temperature by minimizing loss of energy and transfer of heat between the exterior and interior environment.
You’re probably going to find that, like most modern thermal-pane windows, your windows have two seals.
The inner seal is there to ward off excess moisture and prevent corrosion, and the outer seal enhances the durability of your window.
These seals will be holding a spacer in place, which is generally a tube which contains water-absorbent solutions.
However, if you don’t want to go into DIY hassle and just want to order customized glass panels and simply replace it then I would recommend buying from Fab Glass and Mirror where you can get any type of insulated glass panel according to your measurement and shape.
How to remove haze from double pane windows
Haze trapped inside double-pane windows can be removed by utilizing a dehumidifier next to the window. Then drill 2 small holes on the outside of the window to allow the moisture to escape. Once clear, plug the holes and re-seal the broken seal that allowed the moisture in to begin with.
Double pane windows work by having 2 pieces of glass with space in between that is airtight. That means, in theory, no moisture, dirt, etc can get in-between the pieces of glass.
Of course, all of us have seen, and probably had windows that looked foggy, hazy, or had condensation inside the glass; in between the 2 panes.
It’s frustrating of course, as you know you could clean it if you could just get between the 2 panes.
So what’s the solution if you don’t want to replace your windows or try the somewhat risky procedure I outline below?
That haze is trapped moisture. Most likely there is a big temperature difference between the inside of the house and the outside. That’s in addition to their being a break in the window’s seal somewhere.
Here are the specific steps you can take on how to remove haze from double pane windows:
- Use a dehumidifier placed next to the window on the inside of the house. This will slowly remove the excess moisture from in-between the 2 panes of glass.
- If the break in the window’s seal is obvious, and the window is now clean, you can simply fix the seal. Weatherproof silicone caulk is a great and inexpensive option for plugging the hole in the seal
- If you cannot see an obvious break in the seal, you can simply repeat the process with the dehumidifier as needed. Most likely you’ll notice it come back during extreme weather.
- If the window is actually dirty or streaked in-between the glass you’ll have to drill a hole in the window. Assuming you have a modern vinyl window, the bottom is the least conspicuous place to drill. Anytime you drill into a window, you run the risk of breaking the glass or damaging the window. But if you’re at this point, you’re simply trying to avoid replacing a window. So you don’t have much to lose as the alternative is replacing it.
Drill a hole small enough to fit between the 2 panes of glass. But large enough to insert a long pipe cleaner or other long, thin object that you push into the hole with fabric on the end. A coathanger works great.
Insert it in and wipe around until you remove the moisture.
You’ll want to seal the hole you drilled with silicone. But if there’s any trace of moisture, use a dehumidifier first to dry it out. Otherwise, you’ll trap the moisture in there.
Can you clean inside double pane windows?
To clean the inside between 2 panes of glass in a double-pane window, drill a small hole in the top or bottom of the window directly in between the panes. Then use a long pipe cleaner or coathanger wrapped in a thin layer of fabric and insert it into the hole to clean it.
So, the short answer is yes. But it’s not an easy thing to do.
Double pane windows are designed to work with 2 pieces of glass with an airtight seal between them. As long as that seal remains unbroken, you should never see dirt, moisture, or haze in between the 2 panes of glass.
If you do, that means the seal is broken somewhere.
If the break in the seal is obvious, that’s good news. That means you can clean in between the glass and then fix the seal and the window should be as good as new.
If you can’t find where the seal is broken, then even if you clean in between the panes, it will eventually get dirty or hazy again later. So at that point, your choice is to either live with it or replace the window.
I detailed this in the above paragraph, but here’s how to clean inside double pane windows:
- Drill a small hole on the bottom of the window centered in between the 2 panes of glass
- Use a pipe cleaner or coathanger wrapped in a thin layer of fabric and insert into the hole
- Move the object around to clean the area that is dirty
- Once clean determine if there is still moisture remaining
- If yes, use a dehumidifier to remove the moisture
- But if there isn’t moisture, or after the moisture is gone, use silicone caulk to plug the hole you drilled
- If you can figure out where the original break in the seal is, use the caulk to fix that too
Why are my double pane windows cloudy?
Double pane windows get cloudy or foggy when the seal around the glass breaks or gets broken. A broken seal allows moisture to get in between the panes of glass and then depending on the outside temperature and humity, the fogging can get worse over time.
On the whole, IGUs (insulated glass units) work really well.
They are able to withstand all sorts of weather, from freezing climates to sweltering heat and blustering winds. Because there are two seals, one can carry the weight of the other for a while, should one of these seals break or fail.
But, inevitably, the other seal will buckle under the pressure and will begin to deteriorate as well.
When that happens you’ll begin to see condensation inside your double pane windows. If there is inadequate drainage, water starts to collect and spread, further damaging the seals and even jamming or rotting the frame (if it’s wooden).
Your windows also face constant direct exposure to the outer elements, particularly sunlight.
Temperature fluctuations cause the glass to continuously expand and contract. Over time, this warps the shape of the glass, causing it to fit improperly in its frame.
As the glass and the frame weaken over time, more air and moisture is able to seep in between the panes of glass, causing the build-up of moisture which you see in the form of condensation on your thermal panes.
Condensation or “fogging” inside a double-pane #window is a common household annoyance this time of year. Good news is we’re experts in dealing with #WindowFogging. Call us at (585) 621-3580 today! https://t.co/HMxs6l4lvf pic.twitter.com/gzKc9nNCX5
— Genesee Glass & Mirror (@genesee_glass) May 4, 2019
How do you fix condensation on the inside of the windows?
To fix condensation on the inside of windows:
- Drill two tiny holes, on the lower side of the outer pane of glass.
- Allow time for the condensation to escape (how long depends on humidity, moisture, and temperature) – 2 weeks to 2 months
- Fill the holes with 1″ of clear plastic tubing
- Use caulk or glue to glue the tubing in place
- When the caulk or glue is dry, snip the excess tubing so the tub is flush with the window
- The cooler the temperature, the quicker you should see results as running your AC can create humidity and slow the process
Remember, you should only attempt defogging double pane windows if you are prepared to have the window replaced, this is not guaranteed.
Don’t pick a day to work on that is either very sunny or extremely cold. The additional strain on the glass could result in its shattering.
Also, remember safety; wear gloves and safety goggles as the glass could break.
How it works:
What happens is, when sunshine hits the window, the outer glass will warm-up, absorbing condensation inside double pane windows which is trapped.
Due to the fact that hot air is expanding, it should move toward and through these holes.
As it starts to cool down at night time, the cool air seeping in will be drier. In many cases, this procedure will gradually clear all of the moisture out of the window.
Want some tips on drilling holes in glass? Check out exactly how Bob Villa does it!
Before fixing those windows fogging up in the house, make sure you have all the proper tools.
For DIYers, check out my Recommended Tools page (click to see on my site). I know my page will save you both time and money, and I only list the best of the best either what I personally own or have used, or the top reviewed items on Amazon.
I also list the best, and oftentimes, that’s NOT the most expensive item too.
How to plug the holes you drilled (once the moisture is out)
First of all, whatever caused the condensation inside double pane windows in the first place has not been addressed. So, new moisture can still creep in from the source.
So if you have rotting wooden window frames make sure to repair those too.
Secondly, if rainwater gets into your new holes, then your window will end up worse than when you started. Bugs can also get into these tiny holes as well.
If you live in a climate that sees hot and humid summers, then you may want to consider performing your double pane foggy window repair during winter.
Otherwise, when you run the air conditioning, you may find the process working backward and that your windows fill up with water.
So once the condensation is cleared out, we need to fill the holes.
Place an inch of plastic tubing into the holes, which you can glue into place using clear silicone or caulk. The tubing should be the same size as the hole you drilled. Once the caulk is dry, just snip any excess tubing and caulk off of the repair spot.
Depending on the climate, the process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months to take effect.
The colder the temperature, the quicker you should see results.
If you would rather consider professional window security film to both cover the foggy windows but also provide benefits like UV protection, security from prying eyes, and reduced energy bills, check out one of my newer posts about whether or not Security Film is Worth It (click to read now on my site).
I have lived for so long with double glazing that waking up to condensation on nearly every window pane is quite a surprise. Do I go round with a sponge every day, leave it, or open all the windows & freeze/get burgled? I estimate there are about 480 panes like this in the house! pic.twitter.com/mKgk71haf4
— Graham King (@GRRRRRaham_King) March 5, 2020
Can double pane windows be resealed?
Double pane windows can and should be resealed to prevent future moisture from creeping in, but only after removing the condensation inside first. First remove the section of the old or worn gasket and then use silicone caulk to reseal the window.
IGUs have an added layer of protection from the weather that keeps your home more energy-efficient. As we mentioned above, 2 panes of glass are held in place with rubber gaskets, and gas is inserted between the panes.
As the gasket is exposed to rain and temperature extremes, the rubber can begin to fall apart. This allows excess moisture to sneak in between the two panes of glass.
So while you can follow the steps above to remove the condensation inside double pane windows, you will then possibly need to replace the gasket to keep the window in good shape.
After all, you don’t want to go through the steps of double pane window fogging repair only to have to do it again 6 months later!
If you are super handy, you can actually remove the old gasket, get new ones from a glass shop and install the new ones.
However, ultimately since we are DIYing this and not adding gas back in between the panes like a pro could, caulking is a much simpler solution.
Thus, run a small bead of clear caulk around the entire edge of the glass on both sides. Once dry, you can scrape off any excess with a razor blade.
How much does it cost to fix a double pane window?
When you factor in glass, labor, caulking and repairing any damage to the window frame, you’re likely going to spend anywhere from $50 to $100 per window.
If your best DIY efforts fail and you need to call a pro, here’s what to expect.
Just replacing the glass? Glass repair companies, on average, charge about $3.00 per square foot of regular single pane glass.
To fix a double pane window (which as we mentioned above contains gas in between the panes of glass) you’re looking at paying between $250-$300 per window.
Of course, depending on where your fogged window is located (bathroom, for instance), it might be simpler and easier to apply a frosted window film over the glass, giving you privacy and hiding those fogged windows!
The best part about Avalon Etched Glass Film (click to see current price on Amazon)
Does home insurance cover foggy windows?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover foggy double pane windows. These policies are designed to cover damage to the home which could lower the value of the home or create a hazard.
Foggy double pane windows are just a nuisance. They are irritating, but they don’t present a danger to anyone. They also don’t significantly impact property values.
Also, if you consider that most of us have deductibles on our homeowner’s insurance of $2,000 or higher unless you needed to replace a bunch of windows, it probably wouldn’t be worth it for 1 or 2 windows.
So, unfortunately, don’t plan on filing a claim with your homeowner’s insurance.
If you recently bought a home and it came with a warranty like those offered by American Home Shield, those also do not typically cover things like foggy windows.
Condensation between panes indicates a failed seal. Opinions can vary on buying single or double pane windows. Coatings on window glass can provide similar U-value making single pane a more economically priced option. #failedwindowsealhttps://t.co/nq2X3NnJVg pic.twitter.com/40FCzrhRdP
— David Warren (@AWPHomeInspect) February 13, 2020
Did we cover everything you wanted to know about how to perform double pane foggy window repair?
In this post, we walked through identifying the underlying causes that led to the condensation inside double pane windows.
We also looked at the steps that anyone can take to DIY defogging double pane windows. He also pointed out the risks involved and when to admit it’s time to hire a professional.
But most importantly we learned how to get condensation out of windows, and you now know that double pane window fogging repair is possible to do ourselves!
If you have condensation inside double pane windows have you tried fixing them?
Not sure the best product to clean your windows with?
Why not use the highest rated glass cleaner on all of Amazon?
Sprayway World’s Best Glass Cleaner (click to see the current price on Amazon) is literally rated the highest of all glass cleaners on Amazon and comes with free shipping!
About the co-author of this post.
Alex works for Apex Window Werks which is a home window repair & replacement company which also specializes in foggy window repair. They provide their services in the following states: Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Colorado, and Ohio. Feel free to visit their website for more details. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook for more great tips!
Want to write for Middle Class Dad too? Check out everything you need to know on my Guest Blog Page.
Of course, because of the society we live in, I have to add the disclaimer that by allowing this post, I am not necessarily endorsing the steps outlined in the post nor do I offer any guarantees of the suggested work. The opinions expressed belong solely to Alex and Apex Window Werks. If you have questions, feel free to comment and I’ll do my best to answer, but you may also wish to contact Alex directly at alex@apexwindowwerks.com.
Photo credits which require attribution:
Innerglass-low-e-illustrati.jpg by Maghriby2660 is licensed under CC4.0