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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I recently hired Choice to replace 12 windows and a sliding glass door in my home, and they did excellent work. I want to provide this review for anyone in the Lancaster County area looking for new windows: save yourself some trouble and just hire Choice. The original windows and sliding door in my house were cheap builder grade units that were ~25 years old and all failing in one way or another. I did my due diligence and requested quotes from five different contractors, including a big box home improvement store and a couple of the national window chains. To make a long story short, Choice was the best price, the best product, and the most comprehensive installation work! Everyone who I worked with at Choice, from the sales, finance, and install teams, was extremely friendly and professional. They installed wonderful, PA-made Okna windows and doors, and they installed them properly; no shortcuts taken (unlike some of the other contractors who I received quotes from). The install team were great; they had all the work done in exactly the time they quoted, and they were very mindful of being as clean as they could. They also informed me that some of the existing windows were installed very poorly, with very little insulation and flashing. They installed the new windows correctly, and the difference was immediate and incredible. I could not be happier with the work they did and the products they provide. The new windows and door at my house are such a huge improvement over the old ones. If you're looking for a contractor for your next home improvement project, look no further!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Devon, for the wonderful review! We work hard to provide not only quality products and expert installation, but also an easy and helpful experience from the very first contact. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share about your experience with us!
Choice Remodeling was professional from start to finish. They were prompt, informative and did excellent work replacing the windows in our whole house. I would recommend them for any job!
Response from the owner:Thank you Molly for taking the time to leave us a review. We appreciate your referral and are happy we were able to provide a positive experience for you!
The new storm door with roll up screen and the new sliding door for our deck look wonderful. The sales person, Tim Simmers, was great to work with and the men doing the installation work were terrific. I will be using Choice Home Remodeling for all my future projects!
Response from the owner:Thank you Daniel for your review. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and look forward to partnering with you in the future!
I can't rave enough about my experience with Choice Home Remodeling! After a long search for a team that was not only professional and knowledgeable but also friendly and patient, I found exactly what I was looking for. Tim, Nate, and the entire crew did an outstanding job installing a new sliding door in place of an existing bay window on my block-style home. From start to finish, they answered all of my questions with confidence, kept me informed throughout the process, and completed the work with exceptional care and craftsmanship. Choice Home Remodeling earns my highest recommendation!
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Response from the owner:Karen, thank you for your five star review and kind words. It was a pleasure working with you and we are happy to hear you felt the same way! Please let us know if there is any thing else we can partner with you on in the future.