Double glazing is cloudy in sunlight - is this standard?

Seldom_Seen_Kid

Hi,

I had double glazing put in the back of the house two weeks ago by the same company that did the front of my house in 2007. The new windows are cloudy in appearance whenever the sun shines on them. The company says it's because of Pilkington K glass, which they have to use because it's a British standard.

Does anyone know if this information is correct - the only glass anyone can have is Pilkington K glass?

I am so disappointed with what they have done.

jennifernil

We have had the K glass in our windows for the last 22 years, never noticed any looking cloudy and all of our front ones get the sun all day. Sitting here looking at them now, in the sun, absolutely no cloudiness!

There is an in and an out on these units, I wonder if fitting them the wrong way makes a difference?

Yes, I believe they must use the K glass to meet current regs.

Seldom_Seen_Kid

Thank you, that helps, I will persist with my complaint with the company. I'm quite sure something isn't right with them.

stone7

k-glass appears misty in bright sunlight, FACT.

Common complaint.

Pilkington_Support

All replacement windows need to comply with the government building regulations Part L which means that the glass has to achieve a higher degree of thermal efficiency than before. The additional efficiency over old style double glazing requires glass manufacturers to incorporate a fine coating on one of the glass panes that reflects heat back into the room. Generally the fine coating is invisible but under certain lighting conditions it can be seen. Viewing the glass at a low angle or in strong sunshine may mean that the coating shows up as a cloudy mist. The coatings if viewed under a microscope show up as a rough surface and it is that difference in surface compared with uncoated glass that can disrupt the light as it passes through the glass. All coatings if viewed under the right conditions can be seen. The weather conditions and sun angles vary throughout the year so the visibility of the coating may come and go.

Inactive

So we end up with clear glass that .... isn't..;)

thebaldwindowfitter

the only option is that the coating on the inside of the inside pane of the double glazed unit hasnt adhered properly to the glass due to being contaminated while making up of the unit .We have experinced this and it is only in certain light it looks like the glass is dirty and sort of like iron fillings in an etcha sketch that is the best way i can describe the thing is we went to one house 3 times without seeing what the customer was talking about

jennifernil

I have been walking back and forth today, peering at our windows in the sun from all angles and I still cannot see any "cloudiness", most odd!

Seldom_Seen_Kid

Pilkington_Support wrote: »

The weather conditions and sun angles vary throughout the year so the visibility of the coating may come and go.

I have south facing patio doors and in the October bright sunlight the windows are cloudy for most of the day. Does this sound like it should be happening, how would I be able to tell if there is a problem with the windows as a6windows has suggested?

I know that technology is always moving and more energy efficient products is definitely a good thing, but in the case of windows this shouldn't be at the expense of the basic function of the window - to be able to see out and let light in.

tb4100

Hi I had french doors put in in December and have the same problem as you all (dirty cloudy glass) did any one resolve the problem ?

I had the company out to take a look tonight,who said the only way to solve it was to replace the glass but it would not be as energy saving (but I don't think they were offering oh spoke to them grr).

Has any-one demanded new doors/windows and [FONT=&quot]actually[/FONT] got them?

Tia

tb4100

Any-one please

tb4100 wrote: »

Hi I had french doors put in in December and have the same problem as you all (dirty cloudy glass) did any one resolve the problem ?

I had the company out to take a look tonight,who said the only way to solve it was to replace the glass but it would not be as energy saving (but I don't think they were offering oh spoke to them grr).

Has any-one demanded new doors/windows and [FONT=&quot]actually[/FONT] got them?

Tia