What's wrong with my glazing?

[Dunc]

Bright sunny day today (for the first time in a while) and noticed what seems to be condensation or contamination between the panes. It's not on either touchable surface; it appears to be between the glass panes. Seems to be only in the large fixed pane which is ~2x2m; the opening pane beside it is fine. South facing if that makes any difference. Triple glazed, aluminium clad, installed 2025.

Any ideas what this is? Causes? Solutions?

 

 

 

 

[MikeGrahamT21]

The glazing units seal has failed, allowing moisture into the gaps.

 

Only fix for triple glazing is to replace the glazed units with new. As they are so new, you should be covered by the warranty, and these should be replaced FoC

[Redbeard]

Oww! Yes, definitely failed unit. I'm gloomy enough about one of mine failing in year 11 of a 10-year warranty 😞, but yes, you should be covered without question. Who installed them - you or the supplier?

[Dunc]

Well that's disappointing to say the least. No end of trouble with these windows. I really wish we'd gone with another manufacturer.

 

Installed by their "recommended" installer, so not a direct link there. But at least we know I didn't mess it up. Will have to check the warranty to find out who's paying for the labour.

 

Rather gutted as we just finished cladding that side today. The timber in the window reveal will presmably have to come out to allow access. 

 

There just aren't enough swear words today 😡

[Oz07]

Whats the average lifespan of 3g units?

[Dunc]

57 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

Whats the average lifespan of 3g units?

Not bl**dy long enough 👿

[MikeGrahamT21]

3 hours ago, Dunc said:

Well that's disappointing to say the least. No end of trouble with these windows. I really wish we'd gone with another manufacturer.

 

Installed by their "recommended" installer, so not a direct link there. But at least we know I didn't mess it up. Will have to check the warranty to find out who's paying for the labour.

 

Rather gutted as we just finished cladding that side today. The timber in the window reveal will presmably have to come out to allow access. 

 

There just aren't enough swear words today 😡

I don’t know how timber windows are fitted with glazing units, but hopefully there will be some kind of beading holding the pane in and that’s all that will need removing.

[Dunc]

My timber cladding reveal boards overlap the aluminum of the window which itself ovelaps the glazing unit - they'll have to come off unfortunately. Doable, but irritating given I only finished installing today.

[Gus Potter]

6 hours ago, MikeGrahamT21 said:

The glazing units seal has failed, allowing moisture into the gaps.

Agree this is the probable cause.

 

4 hours ago, Oz07 said:

Whats the average lifespan of 3g units?

Can of worms here. 

 

I've noticed that the adverts say 10 year guarentee.. but in the fine print often now there is a caveat of 7 years on the glass units, both 2g and 3g. 

 

For all. I often post about taking a pragmatic and philistine apporach to say underfloor heating, I recollect that I've said similar applies to glazing in the sense that we are looking for the things that "are built into the house" to last the design life of the house. 

 

Now it's true glazing units can last a very long time. I've seen some still hanging in there 20 - 25 years or more. But the reality is that a lot of glazing units are going to have to be replaced at some point often before the rest of the building fabric does. This is a hidden cost, you could call it a maintenance cost that comes around every decade or so. 

 

In summary, when desinging buildings I make my Clients aware of this "hidden cost"and let them make up their own minds. I have Clients that say.. this is our "forever home". OK, but if it is you have to be aware that if you select really high end / expensive glazing then there is going to be a sting in the tail later on when they fail. 

 

One way to reduce the long term cost risk is to use a lower spec glazing system and spend the money on the wall, floor and roof insulation that we know will last the lifetime of the building. 

 

I have some Clients that don't have a bean to rub together, others are well funded and happy to take the risk. It's a personal choice, so long as I inform them then it's up to them how they spend their money. 

57 minutes ago, Dunc said:

My timber cladding reveal boards overlap the aluminum of the window which itself ovelaps the glazing unit

You might get lucky as you might be able to slide the new glass in from the casement side? Hang fire taking off the cladding for now!