What Causes Foggy Windows in Your House?

If your windows look foggy every day, it’s not the weather – it’s the windows. One of the most common questions we hear is “what causes foggy windows?”. The answer is almost certainly that the seal on your window has failed. Keep reading because we’re breaking down what causes this, what it means and what to do about it.

At Choice Home Remodeling, we’re a full-service home improvement company that handles everything. From interior work like kitchen and bathroom remodels to exterior renovations – we do it all. Since window replacement was the first service we offered the Lancaster County public, it is still what we’re known best for. We’re more than happy to answer all of your questions and even fix your foggy windows!

 

The Primary Cause of Cloudy Windows

what causes foggy windows

Those cloudy windows that have showed up on your home aren’t going away on their own. This phenomenon occurs when the seal that connects the main panes of glass cracks. This allows moisture to infiltrate between these panes, creating that uniquely unpleasant cloudy or milky look.

One of the main causes behind foggy windows is that the windows were never a high-quality product, and the seals were very weak. This often occurs as the homebuilder used what experts call “builder grade windows” – that simply aren’t meant to last.

One of the factors that exacerbates this is if the windows sit in direct sunlight. This causes the frames to expand and contract over the course of day, putting stress on the seal. Over time, the seal breaks and the window fogs. While generally, cloudy windows in your home generally appear after the five-year mark, in some cases, we’ve seen them show up even earlier.

Oftentimes cloudy windows are leaking as well – learn more about windows leaking cold air right here!

 

What to Know about Defogging Windows

First and foremost, it’s important to know that cloudy windows aren’t dangerous – even if they are extremely unsightly. However, you have options to resolve this problem. Our teams are experienced in both defogging windows and replacing them.

cloudy window solutions

 

Window Replacement – Many homeowners take these foggy windows as a sign they should just replace the whole thing. Newer, top-quality windows will look better, be more energy efficient and come backed with a lifetime warranty. At Choice Home Remodeling, we primarily recommend OKNA Vinyl windows for all new replacements we perform. This high-end vinyl brand earns our endorsement as the best window for home renovation.

Price: Between $700 and $800 to replace the old window with a top-of-the-line new model.

 

defogging windows

 

As always, deciding between replacement and repair is a matter of considering your budget and if you’re ready to make a long-term investment. Sometimes homeowners will wait until it makes sense to replace all of their windows at once to get the best possible price. The Choice Home Remodeling team is here to back you up, regardless of what you decide.

 

Get Quotes to Repair or Repair Your Foggy Windows

Whether you want to schedule your window defogging or get quotes to upgrade to top-quality replacement windows, the first step is a conversation. The Choice Home Remodeling experts are more than happy to meet you in our convenient New Holland inspiration center or visit your home. When you’re ready to deal with your foggy windows, we’re the team to trust.

Contact us right now to get started!

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Replaced front door with double doors and rear patio doors with double doors. Choice Home Remodeling was our contractor to do the work. Had 2 door specialists working for 3 days. I call them specialists due to their years of experience and the pride they took in making sure everything was right. Plan on having more work done by them and highly recommend their services.
Response from the owner:Thanks so much, John! We really enjoyed working with you on door replacements in Lititz, PA. The 8' front door creates a beautiful entryway. Our team takes a lot of pride in their work, so it means a lot to hear that their experience and attention to detail stood out. We appreciate the recommendation and look forward to helping with your next home improvement project!
Tim and the team at Choice did an excellent job on our new front door. The Choice showroom is very nice and Tim led us through the buying process very professionally and with no pressure. The door arrived ahead of schedule and Jeff did an outstanding job in installation. No dust or mess and the door looks awesome! Highly recommended!!
Response from the owner:Thank you Robert for the review! We are proud to have provided you with a positive experience from your time in the showroom through installation. Please let us know if we can be of service to you for your future home remodeling needs.
We had Choice remodel our staircase with new posts, handrails, and iron balusters. It was not a "major" project, but Choice was very attentive to detail, extremely responsive, stopped by in person both during consult and again during the project started to review all details and ensure everything was as we wanted it. We hit a few bumps in the road with respect to matching colors, etc, and Tim and his crew were very quick to offer solutions that were either cost-effective or no cost at all. I am very impressed with the professionalism of all Choice employees and contractors that worked on the project. Everyone was polite, everything was clean, and the project was done quickly and efficiently. I will definitely use Choice again.
Response from the owner:Thank you Mandy for your kind 5 star review! We are happy to have been able to meet your needs and provide the staircase you envisioned. It was a pleasure working with you and we would be honored to work with you again!
We purchased 2 Okna patio doors at out previous home. Just purchased another in our new home. Excellent quality and workmanship. Everyone is always pleasant, great service, and the installer was very neat and thorough.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the review Christine! We appreciate you coming back to us for your new home and are happy to hear we provided the same positive experience!