Thermal windows are also referred to as insulated glass units. They are windows that are triple-paned or double-paned and insulated. They significantly improve energy efficiency when compared to non-insulated windows.
It is important to understand that thermal windows are usually factory-sealed as a unit. This means from the moment they become one, they cannot easily be separated. However, this does not mean that foggy thermal windows cannot be defogged. Defogging thermal windows is possible and it can be done by Ottawa Valley Glass, which is one of the leading window installation companies in the capital.
What Makes Thermal Windows Foggy
Thermal windows become foggy when the seal around their edges break or fail resulting in the inert gas inside them escaping and outside air replacing the gas. It is the moisture in the outside air that condenses and causes fogginess when it is cold.
In many cases, the fogginess comes and goes. Comes when it is colder than usual and goes when temperatures go up. In summer, fogginess usually disappears because of the high temperatures.
In summary, when your thermal windows become foggy, you should know that their outside seals have broken.
Why Do Seals Around Thermal Windows Fail Or Break
Many people assume that seals around thermal windows fail or break only when one buys poor quality thermal windows. However, this is not often the case. The fact is that seals have short life spans. They are not designed to last forever.
Moreover, temperature fluctuations, pressure fluctuations, moisture, sunlight, working loads, and wind loads can also negatively affect them. These things affect their durability and make them fail faster.
What To Do With Foggy Glass
If you have a foggy thermal window, you should contact a window repair contractor. While a foggy thermal window may seem impossible to repair, it can be repaired. Ottawa Valley Glass has great solutions for thermal window repair in Ottawa. The contractor is renowned for having professional and experienced technicians plus the right tools for defogging foggy thermal windows. The company also does thermal window replacements.
If you choose to defog your thermal windows, your thermal windows will go back to looking clear. However, defogging fundamentally does not restore maximum insulating capability. So if you choose to defog instead of replace or repair your thermal window(s), you will end up with clear windows like before but the insulation will not improve.
How Defogging Is Done
There are many DIY kits that you can get to defog your thermal windows. However, if you want professional results, you should work with a professional and specialized contractor such as Ottawa Valley Glass. Professional firms defog thermal windows using the procedure below.
1. They drill minute holes into windows to eliminate moisture in them.
2. They use the holes to introduce a quality anti-fog product.
3. They add a quality sealant to the bottom of the affected windows to re-seal them.
4. They seal the small holes they drilled. Defogging usually takes about half an hour. Contact Ottawa Valley Glass today for thermal window repair in Ottawa.
