Foggy glass in a 70s era window job has me stumped.

I'm on a job replacing windows in a house built in the 1970s. Every insulated unit has condensation trapped between the panes. What's the most cost-effective fix you've found for this issue?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_mark1mo ago

Just embrace the fog as free privacy film from the disco era. Honestly, it’s like the 70s builders made a pact for all the seals to give up exactly 45 years later. Sure, you can hunt down a glass shop, but I’ve also seen guys try the cheap fix with a hairdryer and a prayer, which works for about as long as a pair of tube socks. Those windows aren’t just failing, they’re sending a message that their entire vibe was a mistake.

paigem451mo ago

Dealing with foggy insulated glass is such a pain, especially in 70s houses. I mean, it feels like every single unit fails around the same time. The most cost-effective way I've found is to get the glass packs replaced by a specialty shop, but you gotta shop around for quotes. Sometimes they can save the existing frames, which cuts down on labor and material costs. It's still a big job, but maybe it's just me, but focusing on the glass alone helps keep the budget in check.

alice_grant1mo ago

Full window replacement is the only smart move here. Those old frames are shot too, the seals failing is just the most visible sign. You'll pour money into new glass packs only to deal with rotten sills or failed weatherstripping next year. A proper full unit swap fixes the whole problem at once and actually improves energy bills, which a glass-only job never will. Chasing the cheap fix now just guarantees another expensive callback later.