If you’ve ever had problems with a window seal and then priced new windows, you may have wondered if you can just reseal them instead to save money.
Sometimes you can, but often you shouldn’t. Let’s take a look at what makes a difference.
When they can versus when they can’t
If you have a single pain of glass on your window, then it can be resealed.
On the other hand, if you have a double pane window—or thermal pane—then it can’t be resealed. If the seal has been compromised on an insulated, thermal pane window, you have to replace it.
Why a double pane window can’t be resealed
Take a look at your window. If it’s a thermal window, there will be a little separator in between the two panes. That’s put in place during the manufacturing process.
In fact, when you clean the window from the inside of your house, you’re literally not touching the same piece of glass as when you clean it from the outside!
If you like your frame or would like to save money, then you can just have the glass with the defective seal replaced. That is something you would need a professional to do.
The professional would come to your house, measure the window, then order the replacement glass. Each replacement piece is custom-made, so they typically require 2-3 weeks of lead time. Your window is left in place during that time, which is not a major issue as it has usually had a problem for several years already.
How to tell when your window needs to be fixed
How can you tell when you have a problem? You’ll see condensation build up between the two panes of glass. Often that happens during the morning or at the end of the day, depending on the time of year. And it also happens more often when it’s rainy because of the humidity, or during the winter because of the temperature difference between inside and outside.
If it looks wet or foggy or you can’t see through it, then it’s time to get it fixed. Really, if you can see anything at all between the two panes of glass, the seal has been compromised.
If you have a problem with your window, we would love to come out and take a look. As the owner of Village Roofing, I visit each of our customers personally. You’ll never see a commissioned salesperson when working with us.