Here’s How to Check if You Have Broken Window Seals

While most modern homes are fitted with some form of thermally sealed glazing on windows and patio doors, they still slowly deteriorate over time, and it’s caused by several factors. Luckily, there are a few ways to check if the seals on your windows are still intact or if they’ve failed. But first, let’s understand what your seals are and how they work.

How The Glass Is Sealed

Single-pane windows have been around for a long time, but they don’t actually use any modern sealing. The glass becomes loose within their frames over time when the glazing putty starts to fail. On the other hand, most modern windows are sealed when two or three layers of glass are assembled and separated by either a partial vacuum or being filled with an inert gas such as krypton or argon. This makes them insulated glass units or IGUs.

Checking if Your Seals Have Failed

Even if you’ve recently replaced your French doors, the gas sealed within its IGUs will leak at a rate of around one percent per year. But you don’t need to spend for a yearly installation however, as it’s a natural occurrence due to the different pressures between the gas inside the IGUs of your patio door and the normal air outside. Your window seals can also fail prematurely, depending on the circumstances. Here are some of the most common signs:

  • If your windows look a bit distorted as if it’s bowing toward the center, then this is a big indication that its seals have already failed. This is because the gas that filled up your window has already leaked and is filled with air.
  • If your windows look tinted or foggy, thatt’s another indication that the window seals have failed. If left unaddressed, your energy efficiency becomes affected and you’ll end up consuming more energy to keep your home comfortable.

As the best sliding patio doors installer in the area, you can be confident that Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey will get the job done professionally and efficiently. You can reach us by calling (866) 609-5033 or through our online contact form. We serve our customers in New Jersey, including Hillsborough and nearby areas.

 

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