Need Window Repair Advice

Onomea

Onomea

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How does one go about fixing a cracked double pane window?

Try to find someone who can take it apart, replace the cracked pane, and reinstall it? Find someone to come measure the window and build a new one? Contact the original manufacturer?

This house was built in the early 1990s. We bought it in 2020. I think the windows are Anderson, The windows are Milgard, and at the time the ones we have were their top of the line.

Recently we've noticed cracks on the interior pane of one of the two panels of the kitchen window:



Close up:



Exterior view: (The pane in question is on the left, inside, in this view below. The marks on the pane on the right are not cracks. I think they're a reflection or some sort of photo artifact. But maybe the cracking is caused by the house settling and pressuring the window frame?)



The cracks aren't very noticeable, and are only on the inside, so maybe just leave as is for the time being?

But, initially we only noticed one crack. Then we noticed two. This morning we see three. I am not sure whether it is because we are looking more closely than before, or if the cracks are multiplying.

The window pane seems to have some sort of film over it, so that when you run your finger tip over the crack, it does not feel like an uncovered glass break.

I'd like to ask the forum's advice. What to do. Info on potential repair costs would be appreciated, too.
 
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That doesn't look good. I suspect that the only solution would be to replace the window. Looks like the moving panel of a sliding vinyl window? In that case they might just be able to replace that one panel. Being the moving part, it would be the only part of the window assembly to be subject to regular stress from opening and closing, which suggests some defect in the manufacturing process, rather than the house settling.

Any chance of finding out who did the original installation? (Must be a lot of Andersen reps in Portland.) Unlikely it's covered by a warranty avter 30 years, though.

The film on the outside may be UV-reflective. Nowadays you can get factory-applied nano-coatings that do that, but perhaps in the early 90's this was not available.

Being in Portland, the thermal advantage of double-glazing might not be that important, as the seal would be compromised and any gas (if they were gas-filled) lost.
 
Arlo,

If you think that it's an Anderson windows, that's also where I would start. I think that you have double pane windows that have a seal (gas ?) between the panes. If so, I'm not sure that it can be repaired. We have had three of ours replaced and a friend in St. Simons has had five of his replaced (Wenn windows), but he lucked out - they have a lifetime warranty. His only cost is $135.00 per window for the installation.

In our case, the replacement windows come as a module (upper and lower) The removal and replacement is quick & easy. However, paying for the replacements isn't!

Bill

I went to the Milgard website, and I certainly hope that you qualify, but some of their windows have a "Lifetime Warranty":

Warranty | MILGARD

Update:

The way that double-pane windows, also known as thermal windows (or insulated glass unit or I.G.U.s) work is by providing an additional layer of insulation.

This additional level of insulation helps your home to maintain a consistent temperature by minimizing loss of energy and transfer of heat between the exterior and interior environment.

You’re probably going to find that, like most modern thermal-pane windows, your windows have two seals.

The inner seal is there to ward off excess moisture and prevent corrosion, and the outer seal enhances the durability of your window.

These seals will be holding a spacer in place, which is generally a tube that contains water-absorbent solutions.
 
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On a recent "Ask This Old House", they did a segment with this same problem, a double pane window with a cracked interior pane.

The fix was to order and replace the the double pane after removing the old double pane from the frame.

Of interest was the window repair man stating the cause of the cracking was keeping the interior of the window covered by drapes or shades.

This caused a build up of heat that cracked the pane.

John
 
The double, or triple, layered glass are single units, they can not be repaired and must replaced.
There is inert gas between the layers and the interior seal is to keep it secure.
Call a local glass company, or two, for a replacement or check out the warrantee.
Many of these glass windows are standard sizes and you will just have to replace the glass, not the entire frame.
 
JohnHL said:
On a recent "Ask This Old House", they did a segment with this same problem, a double pane window with a cracked interior pane.

The fix was to order and replace the the double pane after removing the old double pane from the frame.

Of interest was the window repair man stating the cause of the cracking was keeping the interior of the window covered by drapes or shades.

This caused a build up of heat that cracked the pane.

John
Click to expand...
As someone used to say in a TV series, "The truth is out there"

The cause of the pane cracking in that case is interesting and not obvious, at least to those of us not intimately familiar with the details of window design. Must have been very heavy drapes to cause enough thermal stress. I can see a panel failing if it's on the south side of the house and being exposed to maximum thermal stress. I have a couple like that (~15 years old) although I have 30" overhangs (soffit + gutters) which avoids the worst of the summer sun but allows low sun in winter to come in. and does provide some useful thermal gain on sunny winter days. Mine haven't cracked but the gas has leaked so they sometimes fog up. 25-year warranty on the Cardinal glazed units but not on labor to replace.
 
Once the gas leaks its all over. My neighbor just had 6 windows replaced, all under a 10 year window warranty.
The guy who did it is a master. I am working on the window company to send me 2 windows for him to replace. Broken seals.
 
Onomea, Milgard is just over in Tualatin. I would contact them and see what they can do. The previous responses were correct. You can't just replace one pane. The glass part of the window is called an insulated unit. It's 2, sometimes 3, panes of glass with a metal spacer held together by sealant. I worked for 12 years in the factory that supplied Milgard with their insulated units. Heck, I may have made the units for your windows. There can be many variables. Argon or not, type of low-e glass, single or double seals, thickness of the insulated unit, tempered or annealed glass. etc.
PM me if you want and I'll give you my number if you want to talk. It's been a few years since I worked in the industry, but I still know a thing or two.
 
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