Replacing fogged double pane glass

[Paddy]

The fun continues as I prep my home for sale. My 1985 Kobe & Kolbe windows have leaked to a point where 90% of them look bad on cold days. I need to something about this. There are 10 double hung windows, (20 sashes)
Options:

1 Replace complete sash set(2), frame stays but buy K&K replacement wood framed section with glass. $250 a pair. The wood frames need to be painted and varnished. 10 year warentee ($2500)

2 I Replace the glass. glass will be $80 per pair. The panes are beded in silicon and trimed with a plastic molding. I will likely have to replace plastic trim as well, so might figure $100 per pair ($1000)

3 Same as above, but have the glass shop do the install labor. ($1000 + labor??)
5 year warentee

Has anyone done this?? Not sure how bad cutting the window out of the silicon bed will be

 

[shvl73]

I would try glass only and order new glazing bead from K&K for one only and see how bad it is.

 

[Paddy]

Shvl73,

OK, I gave one a try. Well I removed the plastic trim, 2 of 4 pc. I cracked both at the ends getting it started. Then a took a new razor and from the inside, slid down the wood/glass contact area breaking the bond. Looks like it won't be to bad getting the glass seperated from the wood.

If I can get the plastic trim, I think I can replace the glass pretty easy.

 

[gsganzer]

OK, I must be missing something here. Isn't there a vacuum pulled between the panes? Or a nitrogen purge? What prevents them from fogging between the panes?

 

[Paddy]

Gsganzer,

They loose their seal between the two "pains". Mine had a 10 year warrentee and started to fail at....10.5 years!!

Moisture gets in and condences creating the nice fog look

 

[hwp]

I've read about a process to reseal the windows without taking them out. I've also see signs advertising businesses that do it. I haven't tried it yet but intend to investigate them in the near future. I have close to 50 4'x6' panels and it costs about $700 per panel to have them replaced with new sealed units. I usually have to replace at least 2-3 a year. If they can be resealed for $200-300 per panel, its a good deal, even if the resealing on lasts 5 years.

 

[Paddy]

Howard,

I would have a couple concerns with resealing. One, the water etches the glass in a short time. So I'm not sure how they could clean/re-seal them in place. I would guess they could be dissasembled on site, cleaned, evacuated/gassed and then sealed. I have a freind who tried making a double pain. He clains it's still holding a seal via, it's not foged up.

If I were you I would re-evaluate the savings of using double pain. At $2100 per year in replacements, it can't be cost efective. Or You might consider finding a "life time warrentee"

I thought my issue was big, geez!

 

[shvl73]

My father in-law just reglazed their kitchen casement. His wasn't clad however, so he just made new wood glazing bead.

 

[jwnge]

Wow! very pricey, I hit a 4' wide patio door with a rock thrown from a weedeater and put a hole in it. It has a 1" space between glass and it was only a little over $300 for them to come replace it. John J

 

[RFB]

I just replaced 4 existing windows with Certainteed New Castle XT vinyl, 3 double sliders and a double hung. The windows are double paned, insulated, argon gas filled and "Thermalflect" (Low-E)

Certainteed has a lifetime, warranty that protects frames, sashes, panels, hardware and glass for as long as you own your home. (The warranty can be transferred to a subsequent owner and will be 20 years for material and 5 years for labor from the original date of installation.)