- Had a similar thing happen in my new place—foggy between panes, but only when it’s freezing out.
- Cleared up by midday, no weird smells or soft spots, so I’ve just kept an eye on it.
- I’m not convinced it’s urgent unless there’s actual damage... but I do worry it’ll get worse over time.
- Guess I’m waiting for a real sign before I shell out for new windows.
That’s pretty much how I handled it in my last place—just kept an eye out for any real signs of trouble. But I do wonder, have you checked if the fogging is always in the same spot or if it moves around? Sometimes, if it’s just a little condensation on the inside pane, it’s more about indoor humidity and less about a failed seal. But between the panes, especially if it’s double-glazed, that can point to a broken seal letting moisture in.
I get why you’d wait—new windows aren’t cheap, and if there’s no draft or water damage, it’s hard to justify the cost. Still, I’ve heard that once seals start going, energy efficiency can take a hit even before you notice any real damage. In my case, I started seeing higher heating bills before I spotted any visible problems. Have you noticed any changes in how warm the room stays or your energy costs over winter? Sometimes those subtle things show up before anything obvious does.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too—sometimes the only sign is the heating bill creeping up, not the window itself looking any worse. In my last place, I had a couple of windows that started fogging up in the lower corners every winter. At first, I thought it was just the crazy humidity in my house (old furnace, no HRV), but then it started spreading and never really cleared up, even on dry days. That’s when I realized the seal was probably toast.
Honestly, if it’s just a bit of fog on the inside pane and it comes and goes with the weather, I wouldn’t stress too much. But if it’s between the panes and sticks around, that’s usually a sign the seal’s gone. Like you said, new windows are pricey—and sometimes you can get away with just living with it for a while if there’s no draft or water damage. But yeah, keep an eye on your energy bills. If you start noticing the room feels colder or your furnace is running more, might be time to bite the bullet.
Funny enough, I tried one of those “defogging” services once—didn’t really work long-term, but it bought me an extra year before I replaced the window. Not perfect, but sometimes you gotta stretch things out when the budget’s tight.
- I get where you're coming from, but I’d push back a bit on just living with it if the seal’s shot—even if there’s no draft.
- Once that seal’s gone, moisture can slowly start to mess with the window frame or even the wall around it. Had a client who ignored a foggy window for a couple years, and by the time they replaced it, there was hidden rot under the trim.
- Energy loss is real, but unseen water damage can be a bigger headache (and cost) down the line.
- Defogging buys time, sure, but I’d at least check that there’s no soft spots around the window or musty smell—sometimes things look fine until they don’t.
- If budget’s tight, maybe prioritize any windows showing early signs of damage instead of waiting for obvious drafts.
Just my two cents—sometimes “wait and see” works, but sometimes it comes back to bite you...
That’s a fair point about hidden water damage—honestly, that’s the part that keeps me up at night more than a little condensation. I’ve seen it go both ways, though. Had one window in my old place that fogged up every spring, but never caused any real problems (checked the frame, bone dry, no soft spots). On the other hand, a neighbor let theirs go and ended up with a nasty patch of mold behind the drywall. Makes you wonder if there’s really a “safe” amount of time to just watch and wait.
Do you think all foggy windows are ticking time bombs, or does it depend on the house? I always wonder if climate plays into it too—like, is it worse in humid areas? Either way, I get wanting to stretch the budget, but those repairs get ugly fast if you miss something early. You’re right about checking for musty smells and soft wood. Sometimes it’s not obvious until you poke around a bit.
Guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take. Not every foggy window spells doom, but ignoring them completely seems like rolling the dice.
I hear you on the risk—it’s like playing HVAC roulette. I’ve noticed older double-pane windows in my place get foggy every winter, but it’s mostly just cosmetic unless there’s actual moisture pooling or wood swelling. In humid climates, though, it seems like the stakes are higher since moisture just lingers. Has anyone tried those moisture meters to check around suspect windows? Wondering if they’re worth the investment or just another gadget collecting dust...
I picked up a cheap moisture meter off Amazon a couple winters ago after I noticed some soft spots under my front bay window. Honestly, it’s been more useful than I expected—especially in the corners where the trim meets the sill. Here’s what I do: poke around on a dry day, then again after a big rain or humid spell. If you’re getting readings above 15-16% consistently, that’s when I’d start to worry about hidden rot. Otherwise, yeah, sometimes foggy glass is just a winter thing... but those meters can help catch trouble early before it gets expensive.
I’ve been using one of those meters too, and it’s honestly saved me a lot of guesswork. One thing I’d add—sometimes my windows fog up just from cooking or running the shower, especially in winter when everything’s closed up. But if you’re seeing moisture on the inside between the panes, that’s when I start to worry about the seal. Outside condensation is usually harmless in my experience, but anything inside the glass makes me nervous. I just keep checking those numbers after storms and hope for the best...
I get what you mean about the fog from showers and cooking—my kitchen windows look like a sauna every time I boil pasta. But yeah, if you’re seeing condensation between the panes, that’s a red flag for me too. Once the seal goes, it’s basically impossible to get rid of that moisture without swapping out the glass unit. I’ve tried those “defogging” kits, but honestly, they’re just a band-aid. Still, single-pane windows are even worse for this stuff... sometimes I miss the simplicity, but not the drafts.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—my old place had single-pane windows and they’d fog up just from breathing near them in winter. Have you ever tried running a dehumidifier in the kitchen or bathroom to see if it helps with the interior condensation? I’m curious if that actually makes a difference or if it’s just one of those things people suggest but doesn’t really work.