Wednesday, June 17, 2015

I can see clearly now ...

Do you use double-paned windows in your home? They're great for adding insulation, but when they fail, condensation gets inside to clouds the glass, limiting your view.

Double-sided adhesive tape in frame.
When John built our cabin, he found used double-paned windows. That saved him (and us) a lot of money. But over time, one of the panes in the front window leaked. On the best of days, it was cloudy. Other times, you could see moisture dripping down inside.


In with the new pane from Modern Windows.

John came out to help us remove the glass. That took a little bit of chiseling and we ended up cracking the pane. But it held together enough to make it to Modern Windows to be measured for replacement.

What a difference!
In the meantime, we taped up some plastic to keep the birds (nesting Barn Swallows), wasps (they're starting to hang around), and critters (mice especially) out. In two days, John returned with our replacement glass. The measurements were perfect in both size and pane width.


Replacing the outside moulding.
Modern Windows gave John some double-sided tape to use to adhere the window pane to the frame. That was much easier than using a caulking gun. Once the pane was in, John put the outside moulding back on to hold the glass securely in place, and to give it that finished look.

It's amazing how clear our view is now. We can definitely see more clearly now. Thanks John and Modern Windows, Powell River's hometown manufacturer of windows, doors, and a whole lot more. -- Margy

20 comments:

  1. Great help from your friend, John. Luckily the weather has been good and warm to wait for that window pane.

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    1. And the plastic kept any birds out. We really worried about that. - Margy

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  2. Yay for clear windows! We have double panes on our kitchen window which show leakage. It's fine with me since I don't really want a good view into our neighbor's backyard.
    The View from the Top of the Ladder

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    1. We lived with ours for years, with summer coming we just decided to get our view back. - Margy

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  3. We have the same problem with one of our double glazed windows in the kitchen. Now I know what to do to fix it, I've himself on the case as I write.
    Thanks for the tip.

    best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

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    1. Hope you get a good deal on the glass. It was expensive even without the installation cost. - Margy

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  4. Only our bedrooms has the double windows here, tho I never seen any condense on them, perhaps our weather is just too dry?

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    1. If the seal between the two panes along the side breaks, that allows the moisture to enter. No break, no problem. - Margy

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  5. Glad you got the window fixed up so you now have a clear view. We had windows replaced this spring and they are so much better than before. Can't wait to see how they cut down the draft and cold next winter.

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    1. Replacing the one double pane was expensive enough, I can't imagine putting in new ones for a whole house. Hope the rest hold their seals. - Margy

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  6. Bad windows are so irritating, especially when they fog up and you just can't see out. All the windows in the large subdivision I grew up in were bad, they wouldn't stay open so everyone propped them up with rulers or whatever else they could find.

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    1. I remember using the ruler trick as a kid in our older home. - Margy

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  7. How great to get a new window. This cottage is the first one we've ever had double paned windows in and we love them. The cottage is newer, and we used to only live in old farm houses - there are certain advantages to a newer cottage

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    1. When we lived in Los Angeles, they weren't used. Probably because of the warmer climate. We just lucked out that John got used windows that were double paned. - Margy

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  8. That would have taken me approximately forever!

    ROG, ABCW

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  9. Nothing worse than cloudy windows and you have such wonderful views that you don't want to miss anything.
    Happy first day of Spring.
    MB

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    1. It sure made a difference. You get used to things over time. I didn't realize how bad it was until the new one went up. - Margy

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  10. We've replaced most of our windows! They are so much brighter, aren't they??!!

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    1. I can't imagine the cost of replacing all of our windows. One was enough for right now. - Margy

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy