Expert: Robert Lamb - 3/18/2011

Question
I've moved into a new home and the windows look as if they were painted with white paint. I know it's more so the condensation but is there a way I can clean the inside of the window pane without having to have the windows replaced? Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer
Stacy,

What you are describing is an Isolated Glass Unit (IGU) with a compromised seal. In other words the IGU (also called a thermal window pane) has a broken seal. When this window was made it had two pieces of glass sealed together in one unit. Sometimes these have inert gases like Argon pumped between the glass to give an increased R value (isolation) to the window. When this happens, small amounts of water get between the panes of glass. When these windows are facing the sunny side of the house (and sometimes not), they heat up the trapped water and cause the ordinarily neutral PH of the water to turn into an acid. When this happens, the glass starts to become chemically etched. There are different stages of etching. Stage three is irreversible. I don't know what stage you have, but the answer to your question is, yes and no.

There are some companies that offer this type of glass restoration depending, of course how far gone the window is. You can find them on the internet. They typically offer you a 30% savings as compared to replacing the glass. Another factor they consider is what kind of glass you have. Some companies claim they can repair the problem, but it is very difficult to do this restoration process with tempered glass.

You may have another alternative. Some window manufacturing companies have a 10, or 20, or more year warranty. You may be able to have the window replaced for free or at a reduced cost depending again on the warranty.

Your best bet is to replace.

Let me know if I can be of more assistance.

Sincerely,

Robert Lamb
Window Masters
www.window-masters.com