New glass in your existing European window frame.
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If the fog is between the panes, no amount of wiping will clear it. That means the edge seal of the insulated glass unit has failed: moist air has got in, and the drying agent in the spacer is used up. The good news is that on most European windows, the glass unit sits behind removable glazing beads. We can measure it, have a new unit made to the same build-up, and swap it in. The frame, hardware and trim stay put.
Inside, outside or between? Where the condensation is tells you everything
| Where | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Inside surface of the inner pane | Indoor humidity high and glass cool | Ventilate, run bath/kitchen fans, use tilt; check the glass is triple-pane |
| Outside surface of the outer pane, cold mornings | Normal on very well-insulated glass | Nothing; it clears as it warms |
| Between the panes | Edge seal failed | Replace the glass unit |
Why seals fail
Insulated glass units age. Sun and temperature swings work the edge seal; water standing in a sash rebate because drainage is blocked speeds it up; and sometimes it's a manufacturing defect. Cracks come from impact, from thermal stress (often with dark blinds or film tight to the glass), or from a sash that's dropped and is binding on the frame.
You don't need a new window for foggy glass. You need a new glass unit and a clear drain slot.
How glass replacement works
- Photos first. Send a photo of the fog or crack and the sash edge.
- Measure. We remove a bead to read the glass build-up: overall thickness (European triple units are often 40–50+ mm), pane thicknesses, laminated or tempered layers, gas and coating. A stamp in the spacer often helps.
- Order. A new unit is made to match. Many standard build-ups can be fabricated locally; special laminated, very thick or coated units may come from Europe. Timing depends on the build-up; we confirm it with your quote.
- Make safe. For cracked glass, we can tape or board it in the meantime.
- Install. Remove beads, take out the old unit, set new glazing blocks to keep the sash square, fit the new unit, refit beads and check the sash adjustment.
- Check drainage so the new unit stays dry.
Bonded glass and hidden sashes
Some modern sashes have the glass bonded to the sash for stiffness, and some hidden-sash designs have no inside beads at all. Replacing glass in those can mean removing the sash and, in some cases, replacing the sash. We'll identify this from photos and explain before quoting.
- Is the fog between the panes? Breathe on each side and wipe: if it doesn't move, it's inside the unit.
- Clear the drainage slots at the bottom of the sash and frame.
- Cracked glass: keep children and pets away, tape the crack, and don't open the sash.
Yes, we replace glass in European tilt-and-turn and casement windows and European sliding/patio doors from any supplier, uPVC, aluminum and wood.
Glass units depend on size and build-up and are quoted after measuring. We don't publish prices. Pricing depends on your distance from Seattle and the number of windows, so call (425) 678-5158 or send a service request with photos for a quote. We'll always tell you the cost before we start work.
Call (425) 678-5158 · Request service →
If your windows came from us, the glass is covered under the 20-year limited manufacturer warranty; see warranty terms for details. If another company supplied them, check their glass warranty first.
If many windows are fogging at once, or the frames themselves have failed, ask about replacement. We'll compare the costs honestly.