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Most of today’s modern windows are fitted with some form of thermally sealed glazing. These insulated glass units (IGUs) are very much different from the older and inefficient single-pane windows. But despite their innovative features, the seals still break down over time. Some even deteriorate sooner than others, and it’s often caused by a few factors.
Most single-pane windows have no modern sealing at all since they’re a bit older in design. This isn’t ideal for most homes, especially since the glass becomes loose within their frames when the glazing putty cracks over time. A modern window is only effective if its assembled layers of glass are properly sealed. This is to create a partial vacuum in-between the layers, but some windows are also filled with an inert gas, such as krypton or argon.
Even if an IGU is precisely built and of high-quality, the gas sealed within it will still leak at a rate of about 1% per year. This is a natural occurrence when considering the different pressures between the gas inside the window seal and the normal air outside. However, there are other factors that can cause a window seal to fail sooner when it shouldn’t.
As you clean one of your windows and notice that it’s still a bit foggy or even tinted, then this is a sure sign of a failed window seal. Another visible sign is noticing that the glass of your window looks a bit distorted or bowing toward the center. This means the gas that filled up the window has been replaced with air so the seal is already broken.
If you’re looking for the best windows replacement in the area, call Renewal by Andersen® of San Francisco today! You can contact us at (866) 609-5033 or via our convenient online form. We serve homes in San Francisco and nearby areas.