Author: Ian Greenhalgh

Whether you’re improving your home’s energy efficiency or replacing old, misted units, investing in double-glazed windows is a smart move. But if you want to keep your windows performing at their best and get the most from your money, regular window maintenance is non-negotiable.

In this guide, we’ll share our top tips for maintaining double-glazed windows, from cleaning your glass and frames to protecting your seals and fittings.

Cleaning double-glazed windows: Essential tips

Nobody wants dirty windows, which is why it’s important to clean them. But keeping up appearances isn’t the only reason to give your double-glazed windows a wash. Cleaning your windows can also help you spot issues before they become serious.

Here’s our advice for when and how to clean your windows:

1. Use gentle, homemade cleaners

Stay clear of harsh chemical cleaners, as they can damage your windows and frames over time. Instead:

• Combine one part white vinegar with four parts water.
• Apply the solution with a soft microfibre cloth using circular motions.
• For tight corners or hard-to-reach areas, use cotton buds or a soft toothbrush.

Of course, shop-bought cleaners are also fine, but choose eco-friendly products to protect your windows from any damage.

2. Choose the right day to clean

Cleaning your windows on a bright sunny day may seem like the ideal scenario. However, the sun causes cleaners to dry too quickly, which leaves you with those dreaded window streaks. Instead, clean your windows on a cloudy day for streak-free results.

3. Buff your windows with newspaper

Here’s an old trick that never gets old: Use scrunched-up newspaper to buff your windows and achieve a lovely streak-free finish. This tip gets bonus points because it’s both budget-friendly and environmentally friendly.

4. Don’t use abrasive materials

Using abrasive materials such as rough sponges or brushes on your windows is a big no no, as these can scratch your window glass and frames.

5. Be gentle with debris removal

Before cleaning, gently remove abrasive debris like sand, stones, or bird droppings with water to prevent scratching the glass surface.

6. Be wary of pressure washers

Pressure washers can damage window seals and frames. If you need to rinse your windows, use a garden hose instead and set it to low pressure.

Top Tip: Not sure how to avoid harsh chemicals? Make your windows sparkle using these household items:

• Baking soda: Ideal for removing stubborn marks without scratching the glass.
• Lemon juice: A natural degreaser perfect for tackling greasy fingerprints and grime.
• Dishwasher soap: Mix a few drops of mild dishwasher soap with warm water for an easy, streak-free clean.
• Cornstarch: Combine a teaspoon of cornstarch with vinegar and water to create a solution that breaks down water bonds for spotless, streak-free windows.

Caring for UPVC frames and rubber seals

It’s not just window glass that needs your attention. Proper care of UPVC frames and rubber seals is just as important for extending the lifespan and efficiency of your windows.

Inspect and maintain window seals

Rubber seals help keep moisture out and warmth in. Here’s how to care for them:

• Regular inspection: Check seals regularly for gaps, lumps, or damage. Gently push minor issues back into place.
• Gentle cleaning: Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush (like an old toothbrush) to remove dirt or mould without damaging the rubber.

If you’re experiencing reoccurring issues with your window seals, they may need expert repair.

Keeping UPVC frames clean

Regularly cleaning UPVC frames prevents discoloration and maintains their appearance. For a step-by-step guide, see our complete guide to cleaning UPVC window frames.

Prevent mould and condensation

Condensation buildup on double glazing can lead to mould growth and potential health concerns if left untreated.

Follow these tips to manage and prevent condensation:

• Regularly wipe any moisture away with a sponge or squeegee.
• Position furniture so it’s spaced away from walls to improve airflow.
• Open windows or use extractor fans when you’re cooking, showering, or drying clothes.
• Review your home’s insulation and consider using a dehumidifier if necessary.

For more detailed tips, check out our guide to reducing condensation in double-glazed windows.

Maintain window locks, hinges and handles

Your window hardware is vital for both security and effective insulation. Regular checks and simple maintenance will keep them functioning smoothly.

Regularly clean and lubricate locks hinges and handles

• Wipe locks, hinges, and handles regularly with a soft, damp cloth.
• Apply silicone-based lubricant or a small amount of light machine oil (such as WD-40) every six months to stop stiffness and corrosion.

Signs your hardware needs attention:

• You find it difficult to open or close your windows
• Your locks and handles are stiff or stick
• Your window hinges are looser than they should be and cause draughts

Routine maintenance will help to keep your windows going for longer, but be mindful that some issues will need professional intervention. If you’re experiencing persistent condensation between panes, damaged seals, or problems with locks and handles, our team is ready to help.

Book a free, no-obligation assessment today and discover how we can restore your double glazing.

If your home is fitted with double glazed windows, you may have noticed mist forming in between the panes.

This problem is more common than you might think — and it can lead to more serious issues. Not only do cloudy windows obscure your view, but they can even cause your home to lose heat and pose a security risk.

Thankfully, double glazing is like bread and butter to our crack team of engineers. They’re always looking for new ways to understand how double glazing becomes ineffective and identify innovative solutions to solve the problem.

To help you understand why double glazing can fail, we asked our operations manager, Kirk, for his expert opinion. Below, he explains what causes double glazing to become cloudy or misted and what you can do to make sure your windows are always in the best condition.

How to tell if double glazing has failed

If you have cloudy or blown double glazing, there are a few telltale signs that you can look out for.

The most obvious way of knowing that your double glazing has failed is that your windows become cloudy or foggy between the panes of glass. Take a look at a comparison:

You can spot earlier signs, too. Water leaking through the window frame of draughts is also an indicator that there is an issue with your double glazing.

What causes cloudy double glazing?

1. Poorly fitted windows

If your windows were improperly installed, they’ll deteriorate quickly. In extreme cases, they could become cloudy in less than a year. But why does this happen?

When double glazing is fitted incorrectly, your window panes and frames won’t be suitably aligned. This means your seals won’t last and gaps will form, allowing air and moisture into your panes.

It’s important to do your research and make sure you choose a highly recommended window fitting company with a proven track record for quality.

2. Using the wrong products

You’d be surprised at how often double glazing can be damaged by human error alone. Many people use harsh chemical products to clean their windows, which is not only unnecessary but can reduce the effectiveness of your windows.

A simple mixture of warm water and white vinegar is the perfect combination to care for your windows and leave them sparkling for longer. Take a look at our full guide to window maintenance to ensure you’re doing everything you can to preserve the life of your double glazing.

3. Damaged seals

Whether it’s due to poor installation or simply wear and tear, broken or faulty seals are one of the most common causes of cloudy and blown double glazing.

Windows are affected by weather conditions and will therefore expand and contract when temperatures rise and fall. Although not visible to homeowners, this movement takes its toll on window seals, made worse by poor materials or shoddy craftsmanship.

Damaged seals allow moisture to find its way between the window panes, which is notoriously difficult to remove. Once inside, the moisture causes condensation and means windows will become misted.

4. Window age

Time is another factor that plays a part in the health of your double glazing. The date that your double glazing was first installed impacts how well they will perform. Not only because the seals will become less effective over time, but also due to modern fitting methods being more reliable than those in previous years.

How to clear misted double glazed windows

Fixing cloudy double glazing is usually a case of replacing your windows altogether. This can be an expensive endeavour, especially if only one misted window needs replacing, as most window fitters will require that you buy an entirely new unit.

This is where we come in.

At Cloudy2Clear, we’ve perfected the technique of repairing faulty double glazing by removing just the pane, not the frame. This method, which we’ve honed over years of service and thousands of happy customers, is not only cheaper but a reliable way to replace faulty double glazing. You can see exactly how much money you could save here.

Our double glazing replacement service is carried out by trained professionals and comes with a 25-year guarantee, so you know you’re in safe hands. Contact your local branch of Cloudy2Clear today for your free, no-obligation quote.

Double glazing has been around for decades and is the norm for the majority of UK homes. With 93% of homeowners having double-glazed windows installed, it’s become a part of everyday life for most of us. 

But where did it all begin and how did double glazing become so popular?

Who invented double glazing?

The exact origin of double glazing is a debated subject. Some believe that it was created by American inventor C.D Haven in the 1930s, whereas others claim it goes back as far as Victorian Scotland.

As people used to rely on fires to keep warm, heat retention was notoriously difficult, especially in large houses. C.D Haven sought to fix this problem and invented an early version of double glazing called ‘thermopane’. Haven’s invention was a revolution that transformed homes across America, becoming widely adopted during the 40s and 50s. 

When did double glazing start to become popular in the UK?

After its popularisation in the USA, the UK followed suit and began to widely produce double glazing in the 1970s and 80s. There were of course window companies in the UK before this point, but they only produced single-glazed windows previously. 

Window specialists began with a ‘second window’ system in the mid-60s, which involved removing rotting timbers and replacing the original window with a second layer of glass.

Although this was a popular product for the time, aluminium double glazing was the next big breakthrough in the late 70s. 

From the 1980s onwards, double glazing became standard for new UK homes. Although only about 8% of UK homes featured double glazing in the 70s, the concept quickly took off and now 93% of homes in the UK are fitted with double-glazed windows.

How are double-glazed windows made?

The manufacturing process for double glazing is actually very straightforward. In fact, it’s part of the reason why double-glazed windows became such a hit. 

Essentially, double glazing is two panes of glass separated by a spacer, creating a hermetically-sealed gap. This gap will then be filled with inert gas, such as argon, under vacuum conditions. 

This process is what stops moisture entering between your window panes and prevents your windows from becoming cloudy with condensation.

Why are they so effective?

As well as preventing water from getting in, the layer of gas within the seal makes it more difficult for heat to escape. Windows are the biggest cause of heat loss in homes, which makes double glazing very desirable to environmentally conscious homeowners.

In fact, if you live in an entirely single-glazed home, you could save the following on your energy bills each year by upgrading to double glazing:

In truth, the popularity of double glazing is that they offer a number of advantages that single-glazed windows can’t compete with, including:

Noise reduction

Increased security

Temperature control

Adds value to your home

What does the future of double glazing look like? 

There was once talk within the industry of triple glazing becoming the norm across the UK. However, it’s unlikely to take off anytime soon.

Triple-glazed windows work in the same way as double glazing, with an extra pane of glass to create two hermetically-sealed layers of gas. Although this does offer more insulation, it’s not a significant amount when compared to traditional double glazing. This means that the minimal insulation gain isn’t enough to offset the much higher production costs.

Triple glazing is more popular in colder regions such as Norway and Sweden, where the insulation benefits have more of an impact on homes. In the UK, however, it’s unlikely that we’ll see an overhaul of traditional double glazing.

If you would like to learn more about double glazing or if you’re concerned that your windows have begun to fail, get in touch with your local branch of Cloudy2Clear today for a free, no-obligation quote.