Are cloudy windows ruining your view?
Condensation forming inside sealed double glazed units is not only unsightly but means that the thermal and noise insulation properties of the window have been compromised. This is due to the failure of the seal that keeps the inert gas inside the unit, and it’s the missing inert gas that should be keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
How to turn your cloudy windows clear
You may have heard about various supposed ‘quick fixes’, from drilling small holes and injecting desiccant, to applying heat from a hair dryer to dry out the condensation.
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that none of these DIY fixes are long-term solutions, and once a sealed unit has failed, there’s no fix for the loss of insulating argon, krypton or xenon. In fact, most of these superficial repairs will still leave a residual haze on the inside of the window in any case, so you may well wonder why you bothered.
The only long-term, effective repair involves the replacement of the sealed double glazed unit, and that’s where we come in.
Based in Burnley and Preston, CGS Glazing is a long-established company that’s trusted throughout Lancashire and the North West region. Our skilled technicians replace cloudy windows almost every day, and our online reviews reflect our strong commitment to customer service.
Cloudy to clear windows while retaining your existing frame
Here at CGS, we can replace cloudy windows using a cost-effective process that allows you to keep your existing uPVC, timber or aluminium window frame.
The process varies depending on the frame material and profile, but for a uPVC window our expert technicians would typically replace the cloudy window by removing the wedge gasket, glazing beads and glazing packs, before swapping out the sealed unit and putting everything back together again. This can take less than an hour per window, and we’ve been known to replace sealed units throughout an entire home in half a day.
Unlike replacing the entire window, frame included, there’s very little mess involved and certainly no damage to plaster or wallpaper to worry about.
Cloudy to clear windows cost
Take some quick measurements of your problem windows and get an instant online quote. We can then arrange to visit your home, take accurate measurements and discuss glazing options with you.
The main reason our customers choose to replace cloudy windows using this approach is cost, as it’s substantially cheaper to swap out just the sealed unit.
That doesn’t stop many of our competitors recommending the replacement of window frames that have a decade or more life left in them, which can be a significant drain on finances. It’s also not ideal from an environmental perspective, despite progress having recently been made in the recycling of uPVC products.
Replace cloudy windows and upgrade
The decision to replace cloudy windows with replacement double glazed units is also an opportunity to upgrade to the latest energy-efficient glazing options.
At CGS we’re conscious that up to 40% of the heat in your home escapes from its windows, and that’s why we opted to become certified installers of Planitherm low-E glass, which is designed to stop up to 56% more internal heat escaping from a room compared to older double glazing*.
Planitherm’s Comfort and Comfort Plus ranges also have enhanced security, noise reduction and UV protection (to help prevent carpets and furniture from fading).
Does replacing frames ever start to make sense?
Older-style uPVC frames tend to last somewhere between 10-25 years, and as they age you’ll find that they become drafty, with windows difficult to open and wobbly handles a frequent issue. We’ll always do what we can to keep older windows going for as long as possible, but there’s a point where it can become economically or practically unfeasible to do so. If that’s the case we may be inclined to recommend you install new uPVC windows.
Other scenarios where replacement frames may be necessary include where you’re trying to improve insulation in your home and your existing frames have poor thermal insulation properties, or if you’d like a sash design rather than standard casement, for example.
Whether you’d like to replace cloudy windows or believe your frames may be reaching the end of their lifespan, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our Burnley and Preston-based team are friendly, knowledgeable and always happy to offer advice.
*Compared to 4mm/16mm cavity/4mm (uncoated) air-filled double glazed unit