I just finished up a home of a new customer today, home is around 4 years old semi-custom, I came across many panes where there was IG Failure. I took photos to document, and noticed almost all of the windows had this cracking effect on the seal holding the panes together (see attached photo and I can post more if needed.) I do not recall ever seeing this before. The cracking is on every side of this home, and on every type of window that this house has. Any info will be helpful.
Thanks
i am putting together a sheet for clients who have ig failure. here is what i have so far for everyone;
-My windows look different…
The first step is determining whether or not your windows are experiencing seal failure. Please note that windows are usually installed as a “family of windows”, which means all the windows or Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) in your home or building were built around the same time. If one window starts to fail, others may soon follow.
Watch for window fog or condensation in your home, office or commercial building because it is a leading indicator that the “family of windows” in that building are close to the end of their engineered life span.
-How IG (Insulated Glass) units are constructed?
The basic construction of a window or Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) consists of a spacer bar and glass. The spacer bar is installed between two or three pieces of glass (i.e. “double” or “triple” pane windows) and runs around the outer edge of the glass unit. You must be alert and watch for any window condensation that builds in-between your thermal pane windows.
When the seal on a thermal pane window fails, the trapped air between the panes is pumped out as the air space heats up and expands. Humid air is drawn into the enclosed space as the window cools down and window condensation occurs.
The surfaces between the side of the spacer bar and the glass is where the IGU may have what is referred to as; “a seal failure”. Two key components of a window seal in your windows are the quality of the spacer bar and the adhesive material used to adhere or create “the seal” between the glass panes and the spacer bar.
Visible fog, condensation or moisture is a sign that the sealed window unit has simply reached its threshold to absorb moisture, causing foggy window or condensation problems.
-Who’s at fault for my foggy windows?
There are a number of possible reasons for IG (Insulated Glass) seal failure. According to extensive research in the window cleaning and window film industries premature failure of sealed units is usually caused by: poor initial design, poor workmanship during fabrication and or poor frame design.
that is all i have so far. hope this is helpful. anyone have anything to add?
Anyone have any idea about the picture in the first post? I really do need some help!
Thanks:)
if you had read the other post you would have found your answer.
The surfaces between the side of the spacer bar and the glass is where the IGU may have what is referred to as; “a seal failure”. Two key components of a window seal in your windows are the quality of the spacer bar and the adhesive material used to adhere or create “the seal” between the glass panes and the spacer bar.
from the looks of the picture the spacer bar is cracked which means the adhesive material is going to fail and there goes your seal.
If moisture is getting down to the adhesive material on the spacer bar this can damage the IG seal. Not sure why the cracks but they would let moisture in. Could be bad material or weather elements. These windows should still be under warranty. Most companies give a 10 year on IG. The date is usually stamped on the space bar. You customer can contact the manufacture for info.
Could be a number of things. It’s most likely that the window was improperly put together with either poor adhesive or poor rubber, or a combination of both. I would have the customer look for some type of warranty.
