Not sure whether to have your windows defogged or replaced? Here is some information to help you make the right choice.

In Chambly, Carignan, Richelieu and the surrounding areas, defogging windows with insulated glass units may seem like an easy and inexpensive solution, but be careful: this process does not provide a lasting solution to the problem. Here is why.

Insulated glass units are hermetically sealed, and the space between the two panes is filled with argon gas or dry air to provide a higher level of insulation. This ensures maximum thermal efficiency.

After several years or decades of wear, insulated glass units can lose their airtight seal, allowing outside air to enter. This air then condenses, creating moisture and fog between the two panes. This is generally caused by a seal that has deteriorated due to sunlight or weather conditions. Once the seal is broken, outside air, dirt and dust can enter, making the double-pane windows even less clear.

Companies offering window defogging services for insulated glass units may claim that the process is durable and effective, but this is not the case. Defogging is not instantaneous: it can often take several weeks for dry air to penetrate the unit and replace the trapped moisture. Furthermore, the process is not permanent. Eventually, moisture returns and the insulated glass units need to be replaced. Window defogging is also much less effective when it is not performed within the first few weeks after fogging appears.

The window defogging process consists of replacing moisture that has accumulated over the years with dry air after cleaning the inside of the glass with an alcohol-based cleaning solution. To do this, technicians drill two small holes at opposite ends of the glass unit and seal them afterward. The glass may remain clear for a while, but eventually becomes foggy again when humidity levels increase.