Fog between the panes means the seal on your double-pane glass has failed. You can’t wipe it away or fix the seal, but you often don’t need a whole new window. If the frame is solid, replacing just the glass unit is the cheaper fix. If the frame is warped, rotting, or drafty, full replacement is the better value.

What causes foggy windows

Double-pane glass is sealed around the edges and filled with insulating gas. Over years of heating and cooling, the seal can break down. Moist air gets between the panes, and you see fog, streaks, or white film that comes and goes with the weather.

Is it a problem?

Mostly it’s a cosmetic and comfort issue. Once the seal fails, the insulating gas is gone, so that window loses some of its ability to keep heat in. It won’t damage your home on its own, but it usually means the window is aging.

Replace the glass when

• The frame and sashes are in good shape
• Only one or a few windows are fogged
• The windows are less than about 20 years old

Replace the whole window when

• Multiple windows are fogging
• Frames are soft, rotting, or warped
• You also have drafts, sticking sashes, or broken hardware
• The windows are 20+ years old and more will likely fail soon

We offer both. See window glass replacement and full window replacement.