Category: News

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.

Has your double glazing steamed up? We replace the pane, not the frame saving you money, energy and time! We can also replace your locks, handles and hinges. With over 35 branches nationwide our engineers can provide services throughout the UK.

Click the play button below to see the new advert.

Video transcript

I’m very house proud. Everything in its right place. But there’s no place for misty windows. What will the neighbours think? Calm down, Susan. Click Cloudy to Clear. Free quote, no fuss. They replace the pane, not the frame. Love the new glass. They replace locks, handles and hinges too. That’s money saved for home improvements.

Replace your misty glass from just £90 and get our 25 year guarantee. For a free quote, click cloudytoclear.co.uk Cloudy to Clear.

The month of love doesn’t have to be limited to just romance or for couples. With spring on the horizon, February is a great time to fall in love with your property again, whether that’s to get it ready for selling or just to enjoy your home to the fullest. We’ve listed some great ideas below on how to show your home some tender loving care, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Have a good old-fashioned clean-out

Set yourself a weekend aside and work through each room, making sure you are ruthless with what you need to keep and what can either be donated, upcycled (more on this later), or thrown away.

Clutter in your home can make you feel stressed, but you can also be anxious about throwing anything away, in case it’s required again in the future. However, unnecessary items such as old paperwork, ancient furniture that takes up space, clothing you haven’t worn in years, and broken kitchen appliances shouldn’t be keeping you up at night.

You’ll also find that removing this waste will mean that cleaning your home takes less time and is more of a joyful task to complete. Without having to lift up old ornaments to dust under or sifting through piles of paperwork to find that much needed council tax bill, you’ll get the job done quicker and have more time to sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy your home.

Change your furniture around

Once you’ve decluttered, now you can have a bit of fun with your home. Investing in new furniture and fittings can be expensive, and sometimes all you need is a bit of a reshuffle to get the updated and different feel to your home that you’ve been looking for.

Simply moving a side table to the other side, or repositioning your sofa, can change the whole look of a room. What about lighting? Moving a lamp from one corner to another can instantly add depth and size to a room – and hasn’t cost you a penny.

If you do have more budget to spend, think about investing in fitted wardrobes. This can free up a lot of space that you didn’t know you had, as well as providing you with more storage for those decluttered items.

Repair any annoying snags

How many times have you said you would get around to fixing that dripping tap or repairing the broken drawer? We’re betting it’s countless. Getting these seemingly small and insignificant repairs sorted can ease your mind of extra worry.

If you have repairs that need an expert touch, such as cloudy or misty windows or a toilet that’s flush isn’t as powerful as it used to be, there’s no harm in calling in the experts. Don’t live with problems just because you’re concerned about the cost. Often these repairs won’t break the bank, especially if you contact the likes of Cloudy2Clear.

Invest in some art or ornaments

We’re not talking about Picasso or Banksy. There’s plenty of unique and new artists out there on Instagram, Pinterest, and Etsy that can fill your walls and shelves with beautiful artwork, without breaking the bank. This is a great way to support new talent, as well as making your home look amazing for less.

Try your hand at upcycling

If you’re feeling crafty and creative yourself, then you could always try your hand at creating your own artwork, adding a real personal stamp to your property. Upcycling is a great way to do this, by taking artwork or ornaments that you already have and creating something new and unique from them.

The same goes for furniture, as we mentioned earlier on in this article. Having old, unloved pieces doesn’t mean they automatically have to be donated or sent to the tip. Think about whether they can be sanded down and painted, perhaps even add new knobs or handles, and maybe even think about utilising them as outdoor furniture. An old side table can make a great drinks holder for those summer barbecues, and bookcases can be used as planters. The possibilities are endless.

Accessorise, if redecorating isn’t an option

Falling in love with your property doesn’t have to be expensive and doesn’t mean you have to redecorate and start from scratch. You might also rent your property, which means you’re limited with decorating ideas. The best way to approach both problems is to accessorise.

Adding a mirror into any room can create the illusion that there’s more space; rugs can quickly add depth and colour where needed; fairy lights give a magical, homely feel; scatter cushions provide pops of colour; and a good, sturdy house plant can transform a corner.

If you’re looking to romance your home this Valentine’s, why not contact your local branch of Cloudy2Clear Windows, to repair any failed double glazing, or replace any broken locks, handles, or hinges, without breaking the bank (or your heart).