Condensation within Double Glazing

Redlander

I have recenrly noticed condensation between the two panes of a double-glazed sliding door in my conservatory. The conservatory is nearly twent years old, so I appreciate that some deterioration is to be expected. But I am wondering if this condensation is something that can be remedied fairly simply (e.g. renewing a seal) or will it require replacing the glass, or even the whole doors?

greyteam1959

Replace the glass unit

WIAWSNB

Failed seal around the edge of the two sheets of glass, but not realistic to repair, only replace with a new unit. Possibly - you can ask - a local sealed unit maker might be able to reuse the glass.
This is largely a cosmetic issue, tho', so it doesn't need to be done for thermal - insulation - reasons. 

Mutton_Geoff

Average life of sealed DG is ten years. You've done well.

FreeBear

greyteam1959 said:

Replace the glass unit

Yup. Replacing the sealed units will be the only way to get rid of condensation between the panes. On the plus side, new units will be more thermally efficient, so marginally warmer in the winter, and a little cooler in the summer. How much will be dependent on how much glass in in the conservatory (including the roof).

grumpy_codger

Mutton_Geoff said:

Average life of sealed DG is ten years. You've done well.

Not sure about statistics, but my decent quality patio sliding doors and very poor quality windows are 30+ and the glass units are perfectly fine.  If some units last less then 10 (for average to be 10), they have to be a real crap.

outtatune

You might see ads from companies that claim to repair blown double glazing units. I think they drill a small hole and suck out the air and condensation, before sealing the hole.

Of course this doesn't actually fix whatever the original problem was, so it won't be long before the condensation reappears via the same source as before.

Avoid.

Lorian

It's worth shopping round for replacement units. Most DG companies will send someone out to measure. 

ic

If you're DIY proficient, its easy to measure up and change units.  I've replaced many units in my house for ones with acoustic glazing.  A local firm made and delivered the units, and I installed them.  Around five to ten minutes per window to swap out.

Albermarle

grumpy_codger said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

Average life of sealed DG is ten years. You've done well.

Not sure about statistics, but my decent quality patio sliding doors and very poor quality windows are 30+ and the glass units are perfectly fine.  If some units last less then 10 (for average to be 10), they have to be a real crap.

I would agree with this.

We have 15 separate sealed DG units that are at least 25 years old, possibly 35 years. We have had to replace three of them due to fogging/clouding.

A further 25 are between 20 and 10 years old and not one has had to be replaced.