Foggy Windows? The Seal Failed. Here Is the Fix.

In the vast majority of cases, IGU replacement — replacing just the glass unit inside the existing frame — is the right call. The vinyl or wood frame on most DMV-area windows built in the last 30 years is structurally sound long after the glass seal fails. Full window replacement costs three to five times more than IGU replacement and makes sense only if the frame itself is damaged, if the window style is outdated and you want a different look, or if the frame dimensions have changed due to structural settling. We will tell you honestly on the estimate visit which situation you are in.

Yes, and batching them is actually the most efficient way to do it. On a single measurement visit we assess and measure all seven units, place a single glass order, and schedule one installation appointment to do them all. The installation for multiple windows in the same home typically takes half a day. If some units are very standard sizes, we may be able to bring them on the measurement visit and do a combined measure-and-install in a single trip.

Most modern units last 15 to 20 years under normal conditions, and the unit itself carries whatever warranty the manufacturer puts on it. The key variables are the quality of the IGU (we use commercial-grade units, not bargain imports), the installation quality (the spacer alignment and frame compression have to be right), and how much thermal stress the window sees — south and west-facing windows that get full afternoon sun cycle more aggressively. We will tell you the warranty terms specific to the glass we are installing before you agree to the work.