One common method that is available in modern insulated glass windows is filling the windows with Argon or Krypton gas. The problem with this method is that gases can leak out over time.  But amount of time this takes is hotly debated, some saying it is almost impossible for the gas to leak out, while others state that the gas could be gone before the window is installed.  Since the equipment required to test the level of argon in the window (or if there is any) is very cost prohibitive, few people can tell you if your gas has withstood the test of time.

But in the Charlotte area, gas filled windows are not the most effective way to improve energy efficiency, whether or not the gas can last.  There is another alternative which is more appropriate for the warm Carolina climate, called a Low-E coating, which is more effective at reducing solar gain, but the coatings have their own faults.

There are two basic types of Low-E coatings: soft coat and hard coat.  Soft coat can be used only on the inside of the thermopane unit and are much more easily damaged than hard coat.  This means that a window repair process is impossible should the seal ever fail.  Hard coat are more durable but slightly less effective than soft coat, and while they can be retrofitted to existing windows, often the cost of getting a retrofit Low-E hard coat is not worth the energy savings.

While these modifications can slightly improve energy efficiency, we don’t believe it would be wise to replace functional residential windows to gain marginal energy savings.  Even Consumer Reports Blog declares that “It is generally not a good investment to replace windows just for energy-efficiency purposes.”  We are of the opinion that as long as your window seal is intact, one of the most energy saving things Carolinians can do is to close their shades on those hot summer days.

Since the foggy window repair process is a fairly new idea, many people facing thermopane seal failure don’t even consider this solution.  At a price of about $90 it is the most cost effective, can be completed in about an hour and since we aren’t disposing of the old glass, it’s also the most environmentally friendly method.   But if you wait too long  after the seal fails, the moisture will permanently stain the inside of the glass giving it an opaque or mottled look – then the foggy appearance cannot be repaired.

Even if the glass has been permanently fogged you can replace the glass in the window at a cost of about $150 – $170.  It it cheaper and easier than full window replacement – but we still have to create waste, making it not nearly as green as repair.  If you have a qualified glass technician come look at the damage as soon as you notice the fog, this can be avoided.

For most people with vinyl windows there is no need to replace the entire window, which not only costs about $300 but also can be quite hassle to the homeowner.  As long as your windows were installed after 1975 and you don’t have any serious problems with them then the expense of this project can be prohibitive.

Check out our site for more info about repair or replacement of fogged resiential window glass in the Charlotte, NC area or to get an online quote.

Before Picture - Foggy Window

If you are at home, looking out at the world through a fogged or leaky window, you could be gazing through a $1,500 tax credit for 2009.

The new stimulus package signed by the president, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, offers tax credits for making your home more energy efficient.  That generally means buying more high efficiency heating and cooling systems and appliances, or installing new energy efficient windows and doors, any of which is usually a high cost and long running project.  But this credit also applies to replacing the glass panes in your existing fogged or leaky windows.

The new package makes it more financially beneficial than ever for homeowners to fix residential windows.  The percent of total cost credited has gone up from 10% offered in 2007 to 30% for 2009, with the $200 dollar cap for windows removed.  This means window glass replacement is now included in the $1,500 total cap per homeowner for improvements.

After Replacement - Clear Glass

Replacing the just the glass in your vinyl windows is much easier on the budget, and the homeowner, than replacing the windows themselves. And can sometimes offer the same amount of savings on monthly energy bills.  Rather than ripping the siding off the exterior and creating a hole in your home,  you could have the glass panels replaced, in a relatively painless procedure.  Once windows are measured, glass is ordered and received in about 3-5 days, then installed by a trained glass technician in just a few hours.  You can go from estimate to efficiency within a week.

Deals Glass Services can provide residential glass replacement for foggy windows anywhere in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area.  Check our website for more detailed information about our Piedmont, North Carolina service area.