Last Updated on March 12, 2025
A damaged or broken window seal is often to blame for windows that fog up in winter. Homeowners who notice continually foggy windows should replace the glass or repair the issue to prevent further damage, such as water damage and mold growth. Here’s how to stop your windows from fogging.
What causes foggy windows?
When the weather outside is chilly, the home is usually heated. This creates a difference in temperature between the interior of the home and the outdoors. Condensation forms when the warm, moist air inside the home comes into contact with the cold panes of glass.
Water vapor in the air condenses, forming tiny droplets homeowners see as condensation. High indoor temperatures in winter lead to foggy windows, since more abundant moisture is available. Placing houseplants around the windows also contributes to condensation on the glass surfaces.
Primarily, the drastic temperature differences cause a home’s windows to fog up in the winter. This same principle applies to glass on doors that lead to the outside as well as skylights along the ceiling. Any cold glass surface acts as a point of condensation when the surrounding air is warmer.
Another culprit is a broken window seal. When the window seal breaks or is otherwise damaged, moisture forms between the window panes. Improper drainage around the window can cause a broken seal. The panes also contract, expand, and weaken upon direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
How do homeowners get rid of foggy windows?
Homeowners can release trapped moisture in numerous ways and keep their windows from fogging when outdoor temperatures plummet. The following eight handy solutions are readily accessible to homeowners but are usually temporary. A permanent fix requires replacing the window panes.
1. Run a Dehumidifier
Silent and unobtrusive, a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air. It’s an energy-efficient system that prevents condensation from forming on the windows. By purchasing an affordable dehumidifier, homeowners have less need for opening windows for ventilation, which stops energy depleting drafts.
2. Open Windows
However, when homeowners do not own a humidifier, a simple, alternative method can be used to remove excess moisture from the air. Air out the home by cracking the window open. This tactic works best when the weather is relatively mild outside during the winter months.
3. Turn Off Humidifier
Turning off a whole-house humidifier is recommended when the humidity levels in the home are too high. Signs of excess humidity include condensation on windows and surfaces. Ideally, the relative humidity inside the home should remain at between 30 and 40 percent.
4. Run Ceiling Fans
Increase the circulation of warm air around the windows by running the ceiling fan. Generally, a ceiling fan should spin clockwise at a low speed during the winter months for best results. Blades that rotate in a clockwise direction push warm air downward.
5. Apply Window Film
Window film kits are readily available to homeowners. Apply the window film to the surfaces of the windows. The film prevents condensation from forming on the window panes. It works by simply blocking warm, indoor air, ensuring it does not reach and fog up the cold glass.
6. Install Storm Windows
Another tactic to stop foggy windows during the winter months is to install storm windows. The insulating ability of single-pane windows increases. Storm windows keep window glass warmer, which stops moisture from forming on the windows and prevents them from fogging up.
7. Apply Anti-Fog Solution
Applying an anti-fog solution to the interior side of the windows gets rid of the fogginess. This spray works by altering the surface tension of the glass, allowing the beads of moisture to spread out more evenly on the windows rather than clumping together as large, fog-like beads.
8. Replace Glass Pane
The best way to stop foggy windows is to replace the glass pane. A replacement fully restores energy-efficiency inside the home, too. This step is necessary when moisture becomes trapped in between the glass panes, causing repeated instances of fogging windows.
Replacing the glass requires first removing the existing window from the frame, then carefully disassembling the sealed glass panes. Replace the inner pane with new glass. Once the glass is replaced, seal the entire unit thoroughly to prevent further moisture intrusion and foggy windows.
The typical homeowner does not have access to the specialized tools necessary to separate the glass panes. In addition to specialized equipment, replacing the glass requires precise handling. Ensuring a secure seal is best left to window experts. These are reasons to consult a window repair company.
Replacement of the glass pane or broken seal can stop the windows from fogging up. This step is advised if the rest of the window is in good shape. Arax Windows Work is ready with the skilled crews and specialized equipment to replace the windows and perform foggy window repair.
Foggy Glass Repair from Arax
Our services are recommended whether your home is older or recently built. We offer expertise in replacing single-pane, double-pane, and triple-pane windows. Our specialists are also experienced in preserving custom window shapes and designs. We can replace skylight glass, too.
Sometimes a repair is all that is necessary to clear up foggy windows. We first assess the windows and determine the cause of the fogginess. If broken seals or frame damage are responsible, our crews repair the seals or wooden frame. We reseal the window to protect the glass.
If a mold infestation has developed on the windows due to moisture getting inside, a window replacement is the best recourse. Our window experts remove the damaged window glass and install new glass. Homeowners are advised to replace foggy windows immediately to deter mold growth.
Find quality window glass replacement and repairs at Arax Windows Work. You’ll enjoy clear windows once we perform our efficient services. We serve homeowners and business owners in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Call us today for exceptional workmanship and friendly customer service.
