Foggy Glass in New Patio Door!

jackieb

Viper_7 wrote: »

Yes, as said it's inherrent to Pilkington K Glass.

If you get the glass with a tint, then you won't have the problems, and it also reduces glare and fading of furniture, also looks much better than clear glass and hides the muck better.

That's good to know. I'm getting new windows, French doors and back door fitted next month - with Pilkington K glass, but i've ordered tinted glass. I think we were about £600 extra for all our windows and doors to be tinted (we have 11 windows, a door and French windows though, so quite a big order).

They can't do the Pilkington K if you have tinted and obscured glass (as in back door and bathroom windows) though. I think that's what we were told.

ih8stress

Viper_7 wrote: »

If it's just the patio doors, it's probably about £30 for the tint.

Can get it in Bronze or blue, and it's not that dark.

Had my entire conservatory done out in it (about £300 for the tint) . From inside it's clear looking out, and no haze in the glass coating. From outside it does appear darker - but also gives privacy. It would depend on the other glazing on the same face of the house wether it would match or not. It doesn't reduce the light, but stops the UV rays.
It looks so much better though imo.

Thanks for the info. It's on a dining room window. Did you go for the bronze or blue tint?

It definitely sounds as if it is worth considering - if the window company will exchange it for the Pilkington K Glass ? already in (2nd bad batch).

jackieb

We were recommended the bronze tint. We were told it's dreary enough as it is up here in Scotland and the grey (it was grey, not blue though) makes it look a bit dreich.

Viper_7

jackieb wrote: »

They can't do the Pilkington K if you have tinted and obscured glass (as in back door and bathroom windows) though. I think that's what we were told.

If it's a double glazed unit - which I'm sure it is, you can get the Heat reflective coating AND have obscured glass AND have the Tint.
The outer pane is obscure - the inner is clear. The coating is applied to the inner pane but on the inside (not the side present to the room)

I got the bronze tint, it's more natural, blue looked a little fake if you see what I mean, doesn't really look like natural glass.

Just double checked what I paid it was £400 for the Anti-sun and £300 for the Low E coating.
That was in a 3.8x4m conservatory with a glazed roof around 7 years ago. so the prices still look comparable.
Should say they don't call it a tint - it's "Anti-sun"

ih8stress

ih8stress wrote: »

I have exactly the same problem in a new window. It was fine until the sun shone really brightly on it, then looked as though it was smeared, needed cleaning.

After trying warm, soapy water, then Windolene, then Sugar Soap I finally got the firm to replace the glass.

Guess what, the replacement is just the same! What do I do now? Did anyone find out the cause?

I would appreciate any help, please

Going back to my original query, I am still uncertain as to whether my problem is due to a unit with a faulty seal or because it is Pilkington K glass and therefore ALL replacement units will have this fault.

I don't want to go back to the fitter until I know what I am dealing with exactly.

Thanks

aliasojo

To be fair, there have been possible (probably, even) causes given already but no-one can tell you for sure as no-one can see the unit.

Maybe you should email Pilkington themselves? Is is possible to photograph? I know it's quite difficult taking a photo of something as reflective as glass.

It's my belief it's the coating, but I'm far from being an expert. If the unit was faulty, I cant help but feel you'd see signs of this at times other when the sun was shining.

ih8stress

aliasojo wrote: »

To be fair, there have been possible (probably, even) causes given already but no-one can tell you for sure as no-one can see the unit.

Maybe you should email Pilkington themselves? Is is possible to photograph? I know it's quite difficult taking a photo of something as reflective as glass.

It's my belief it's the coating, but I'm far from being an expert. If the unit was faulty, I cant help but feel you'd see signs of this at times other when the sun was shining.

Thank you for your comments. I know it is difficult to say just from descriptions. I have tried to take photographs but this is not successful.
It does only seem to be when the sun is shining directly onto the window that the smears/streaks are seen.

I don't even know if they ARE Pilkington, there is no name on the glass.

I have appreciated everyone's advice on this matter though

thebaldwindowfitter

your problem lies with the low "e" coating which hasnt adhered properly to the glass the effect looks like iron fillings in certain light conditions it doesnt make any difference which glass supplier it came from that is your reason.i had a similiarproblem with some we fitted had to go round a few times to actually see what my customer was talking about .got them replaced under warranty

Viper_7

I advise you check out their own website - they state themselves it can look cloudy under certain light conditions - nothing to do with a manufacturing problem.
Yes they can do a Better job at cost if a customer complains. If too many people complain then it will just up the cost 3-fold to manufacture them all perfectly.

It's like LCD screens, there are different classes. The majority of people just buy the thing and it may have 5 or so dead pixels, most people won't be bothered/don't notice. If you want zero dead pixels - well then you pay through the nose for it.

greenface

thye dont coat the figured pane of a figured unit they coat the clear and i dont think they can then "inner" coat the anti-sun too so figured is put in back to front they then forget the low e coating and just have the tint. Pilks are the supplier of the glass that has been precoated mainly to other manufacturers its their job to make as clear as possible double glazed unit and this is the main point where faults are made so pilks if not direct suppliers of the dg unit will just tell you to contact the fitters/suppliers