Mail Call: Aging Windows
It’s reader-mail time! Here’s one from Jasmine:
Dear Chekhov,
I have noticed as the year goes on that more and more of my double-paned windows are getting condensation on the inside as the constant expanding and contracting of the glass due to sun exposure causes the vacuum seal to deteriorate. Is there anything I can do short of replacing the windows? I would love to be able to repair them and avoid sending all of the windows to the landfill. If they cannot be repaired is there a way to recycle windows?
Dear Jasmine,
I like to consider myself a window connoisseur of sorts, considering that I spend much of my waking time perched on the sill of one, tapping the glass pane gingerly to check for imperfections or monitoring the amount of sun streaming in. I take this responsibility very seriously.
A double-pane window (also known as an insulated or double-glazed window) retains twice as much heat as a single-pane window can, which helps conserve energy and lower heating bills in the winter, as well as reduce heat transfer and cooling costs in the summer. (An invisible, heat reflective coating—known as low-emissivity or low-e—boosts this energy-efficiency even further.) This type of window also cuts out most noise, making for a quieter home and forestalling any possibility that your sleeping cat will leap up and stab you in the eye the moment someone’s car alarm goes off.
Regular window inspections, along with small improvements, go a long way to extending their longevity. If your double-pane windows are fogging up, however, it means that the desiccant (or drying agent) in the space between has absorbed all the moisture vapor it can possibly hold. In your case, the warm, moist air is entering your windows because the sealant material has failed and can no longer act as an insulator. You can remove the windows from their frame and caulk or seal any air-leakage sources, but this will only keep the problem from getting worse and not eliminate any existing streaking. One company, Window Medics, claims to be able remove any visible moisture and dry out the desiccant, effectively restoring your faulty window. You also get a 20-year guarantee, but I can’t vouch for the company’s effectiveness, having never employed it. Caveat emptor!
Your best option, by most accounts I’ve found, is to replace the windows entirely via a reputable local glazier. Be sure to check your windows’ warranty first, of course—they might even be covered still. When shopping for new windows, look out for the National Fenestration Rating Council label, which certifies a window’s performance. Energy Star-certified windows are also guaranteed to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s strict energy-efficiency guidelines.
To find out if your community accepts construction and demolition materials such as windows, type in your zip code at Earth911.org and look under “recycling.”
Watchfully yours,
Chekhov
Have a burning question about health and the environment? Leave a comment or e-mail chehov-at-worstedwitch-dot-com.
Heather said,
May 10, 2007 at 9:29 am
Also if you are gettting rid of old windows you could see if any gardeners want them (I do, I do!).
They make great greenhouses or cold frames. Four windows put together in a square make a great “warming room” for heat lovers like egg-plants and tomatoes when growing them in colder climates. Also if you put windows down flat on a weedy spot in your garden and leave them there for a day in the sun, the weeds will be cooked. You can use a window for making a solar oven….I could go on and on.
Linda in Chicago said,
May 15, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I second Heather. There are many uses for old windows and sliding glass doors in the garden. I have a couple windows I scavenged from the trash set aside for a cold frame so I can extend the growing season.