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Original poster

Replacing fogged double glazing

30 replies

thinkofablinkingnamewoman · 07/04/2021 13:11

Has anyone tried one of the companies which replaces just the glass in fogged up double glazing units? The company which advertises a lot is called Cloudy to Clear if that helps. Just wondering whether we'd be better off replacing all our uPVC windows (they're 20+ years old and I don't really like the colour) or if there's love out there for the glass only option?

We're planning to sell up in the next couple of years so don't want to spend unnecessary money but we have to sort out the condensation/fogging as it's driving me mad!

Thanks all!

OP posts:

PerkingFaintly · 07/04/2021 13:16

Replacing the glazing units is exactly what was done in my previous house.

It was brilliant. Solved the problem in minutes, none of the mess or making good which replacing the frames would cause.

The fogging shows the unit is compromised and no longer providing the intended level of insulation, so it's well worth doing.

Yafilthyanimal · 07/04/2021 13:17

Just replace the glass if you are moving.Not expensive and really effective.

hellcatspangle · 07/04/2021 13:22

@PerkingFaintly what sort of cost was involved? We also have foggy windows!

whataboutbob · 07/04/2021 13:22

@PerkingFaintly can I ask roughly how much you paid? Am considering doing the same.

LyndaLaHughes · 07/04/2021 13:37

I'm looking to do this too.

PerkingFaintly · 07/04/2021 13:53

Sorry, it was years ago and I can't remember.

I do remember thinking we'd paid too much, once I realised how quick and simple it was!!

But that was only because the company owner had made the mistake of telling me how many hours' labour he'd reckoned it at... and I'd barely got the kettle boiled by the time they'd replaced the units (it was two or three large panes).

I was so visibly astonished they said, "Yeah, we don't think he realises how quickly we can get it done."

They also replaced a dodgy window lock for me with one they had on the van. I have an idea they adjusted the hinge mechanism on one as well. Basically they were PVC window fitters who could do all related jobs, not just the glass.

Despite the overestimate, it was still much cheaper than replacing the whole windows. A better result, too, because matching the wall paint colour to redecorate would have been a mission in itself.

PerkingFaintly · 07/04/2021 13:55

It was upstairs windows as well, and IIRC all done from within the house.

Eyevorbig0ne · 07/04/2021 13:59

We've just ordered 8 sealed units about 197.00

We used to work in double glazing so know what's what with it.

All the units are blowing/cloudy/milky at the same time.

Maybe get the gaskets stretched or replaced at the same time.

DaffodilSunshine · 07/04/2021 13:59

I had one done recently which was just under £120. It was done by a local company that specialise on pvc window repairs. They also did various hinge replacements on other windows for me

angelopal · 07/04/2021 14:00

We replaced the glass in one window. It was done by a local in window company rather than a specialist company. You should get multiple quotes if lots of windows.

Andthenanothercupoftea · 07/04/2021 14:16

We had a single pane replaced (our neighbour chipped it when his strimmer threw up some stone - glad we were in or it would've been a mystery!!) it cost £100. I imagine the costs for more would be much less per window than that though. Plus I didn't care about the cost as the neighbour paid!

Get some local window companies in to quote you.

whataboutbob · 07/04/2021 15:19

Thanks all, this is useful information.

Orangeinmybluelightcup · 07/04/2021 15:22

We've done this in a few windows. Got a local company in. £250 per window, ish. Depending on size.

CoolKitkat · 07/04/2021 15:34

If you replace the foggy windows, doesn't it just get foggy again, if there's a problem with the frame or a leak?

I don't really understand how it works but am thinking of this for ours too, but don't want to replace them only to find the issue persists ...

WeatherwaxLives · 07/04/2021 15:39

@coolkitkat no, the two bits of glass are sealed around the edges, the frame doesn't form part of the seal.

I'd phone around some local window companies too OP - it's a really easy job, no need for a specialist glass only company.

Purplewithred · 07/04/2021 15:42

No need for a specialist glass replacement company, any local company who does double glazing can do this.

We did end up replacing some whole windows as you couldn't get replacement seals for the existing ones, and the old seals were visible and looked terrible. But just replacing the glass units is much cheaper and less messy.

CoolKitkat · 07/04/2021 15:52

Thanks @WeatherwaxLives - so the problem shouldn't recur? Sounds like a better solution than changing the whole lot ...

WeatherwaxLives · 07/04/2021 18:27

@coolkitkat no, no more so than it would with completely new windows.

isseys4xmastinselcats · 07/04/2021 18:59

weve had some of our panels replaced as some are ok and some have blown around £80 to £130 depending on the panel size well worth doing as a ten minute job and no having to get the frames taken out and ruining the decoration we used a small local independent company who make the panels as well as fit them

Yafilthyanimal · 07/04/2021 20:11

Just don't do what someone on a facebook suggested and drill a hole in your window

Original poster

thinkofablinkingnamewoman · 08/04/2021 07:53

This is all so helpful, thank you! And I saw that too Yafilthyanimal!! Not tempted!

OP posts:

HopeHappy · 08/04/2021 14:29

Agreed with PP - contact local double glazing companies as they'll often do it quite cheaply. You don't have to use a specialist.

My DP had an admittedly small window replaced in his old house and it was only about £50. If you happen to be in the Berkshire area DM me and I'll give you the name of the company he used (independent window company - not one of the big co's).

PigletJohn · 08/04/2021 20:59

Ask around for your local mender of double glazing, patio doors, and plastic front doors (there is bound to be at least one, because they are quite troublesome). Not a big company. Mine was recommended by the windowcleaner.

I paid about £50 each for smallish windows, and several hundred to reglaze a patio door in laminated.

I also had some units replaced in my business premises lobby, which were a few hundred pounds each.

He will visit once to measure and quote, then will order the glazing (it is factory-made to order) and then return to fit them.

You might consider having laminated glass, which is burglar-resistant, in some places. Costs about double.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/04/2021 22:27

Interesting !

Our front windows are starting to do this (all were replaced about 15 years ago) but the back ones (30 years old) are still ok .

We had one side of a French door replaced (glass is full height but about 2' wide) from plain to Cat Door in Glass .
Not including the cat door it was £250 ish ( IIRC)

hellcatspangle · 08/04/2021 22:38

@70isaLimitNotaTarget same with ours...we thought it might be because the front gets full sun for more of the day. Do you get the sun on the front?

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