What Causes Foggy Windows?

Foggy windows are typically caused by failed window seals, temperature differences, poor installation, and temperature differences. 

Foggy or cloudy windows can be a common issue in Las Vegas homes because of the intense heat, dry air, and temperature swings. It might look like just condensation, but consistent fogging is a bigger problem and not just something random. 

Temporary Condensation

Before assuming immediate failure, it could be temporary condensation. Sometimes, moisture forms on the interior or the exterior of your glass because of temperature differences. This is even more likely to happen during:

• Hot daytime temperatures and cool nights
• High humidity in homes due to hot showers, humidifiers, or cooking
• Air conditioning greets hot windows

A quick way to tell if its temporary condensation is if it wipes away to the touch or disappears later. If it's stuck in between panes and is constantly foggy, it's more than likely seal failure. 

Damaged Window Seals 

The most common cause of foggy windows is failed window seals. When a seal fails, the humid air goes between the panes and creates the fog you’re seeing (Broken Window Seals). If you ignore this, the fog either gets better or worse as the weather changes. In Las Vegas homes, seal failure is often sped up by high UV levels, heat expansion, and fast cooling at night. 

Trapped Moisture

When seals are starting to lose efficiency but haven’t entirely failed yet, the small amounts of moisture can slowly get inside between the panes. Over time, this creates cloudiness, water droplets, and an overall gradual worsening over time between the panes of your window.

Low Quality Installation 

Sometimes foggy windows aren’t caused from failed seals or trapped moisture, but rather how the window was made or installed. If there was improper sealing during manufacturing and lower quality materials, it’d make sense that your window is fogging up.

Frame Damage

In very hot climates like Las Vegas, vinyl and aluminum frames can expand and weaken on the daily. Although it's not just the heat, it’s how it gets cooler very quickly at night which causes the contraction of the frames. This process is called solar pumping, and stresses out window seals long term (Broken Window Seals). As a result, the seals fail eventually. 

Repair or Replace? 

If you should repair or replace depends on your situation. If it's just temporary condensation, you don't need to repair your windows and it’ll go away shortly. You could try improving ventilation or controlling humidity. If your window seals have started to or have failed, you should consider replacing your windows soon. Fog between panes means the insulation performance is already getting lower, which means that your energy bills could keep increasing.  

Foggy windows are not just an issue for the look of your home, it means that your window seals have failed/have failed. You shouldn’t ignore fog in between the panes of your windows. In Las Vegas homes, cooling expenses are already high. Having failing window seals leads to decreased energy efficiency. If your windows need to be replaced, come contact us today at Window World at (702) 622-9399