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We are looking at a prospective home which has a sunroom and sun-bathroom with curved glass windows. But most of the seals on the windows in both rooms are broken and because of the shot seals, condensation has set in. We understand this could eventually cloud the windows visibility which has already happened to an extent. It appears that we have to redo the whole room since the company that built these rooms - Four Seasons- doesn't make curved windows of those dimensions any more. What happens if we leave it as is? Is that a big no-no in terms of energy costs or cosmetic factors. There are a few other big ticket items in the house that need to be taken care and we wondered the consequences leaving these rooms as they are. Thanks
There is a place in my area that repairs them in place. Window Condensation - Window Seal Repair - Foggy Window Repair I am pretty sure there are similar companies either local, or franchised in most areas as well. With curved glass, I would definitely think this would be worth looking into.
Depending on WHY the seals failed and degree to which the rest of the superstructure supporting that glazing is also compromised I would be very concerned that additional damage may be hidden. I have personally seen situations where lack of proper weather sealing has led to such conditions rotting out the sill plate and compromising the structural integrity of the whole house.
Depending on how big the area is and what sort of access is available it may be possible to save most of the sunroom structure, inject a foam type insulation and correct any issues with weather breaks. This might be an option that skilled commercial glazing specialists can attack and I agree that if the actual interior and exterior glass panels are otherwise intact the costs may be justified.
Leaving it to further decay could be a huge and costly mistake especially as the junction between the sunroom and the rest of the house will be a potential for real problems like roof or foundation collapse...
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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How old is the home? Most of the early double-glazed windows from the 80s-90s will be failing by now. If fairly new, look for other problems as Chet said. It's not that much of an issue for energy costs in a mild climate, but within a few months you may not be able to see through them. Settling of the header above applying pressure is a major cause of seal failures and even cracked glass, especially on the top corners.
The home is built in 1963 and sun room added in 1990. I have attached a pic although it is hard to see the condensation. There are many claims to 'fix' the broken seals with small holes drilled in the glass and one way vents but not sure if these actually work? Will broken seals in a sunroom like this really compromise the structure of the rest of the house?
There is a place in my area that repairs them in place. Window Condensation - Window Seal Repair - Foggy Window Repair I am pretty sure there are similar companies either local, or franchised in most areas as well. With curved glass, I would definitely think this would be worth looking into.
Do you know if this really works? Have you had a personal experience? Thanks
Unfortunately, I don't know if it truly works. Looking at reviews on line of one franchise I randomly saw, it seems like they range from these are the best guys ever to total scam. Which is not too out of the realm for any service business, but its difficult to see if they skew one way or the other overall.
Looks like their system could work, but of course, if the widows were argon filled or something, they are not replacing that, its now just an air gap. Will still work as an insulator, just not quite as well.
If it were all flat windows, I would try to get a glass company out to replace them, but the curved glass throws a monkey wrench into it all. Can still be made, but cost is way way higher.
We spoke to four seasons who built the sunroom. No warranty . They also don't make curved glass of these dimensions anymore . So their advice was to rebuild the entire room. Their estimate : 25k. The dimensions of the room are 20 x 10. Although their glass NOW comes with a lifetime warranty and of course newer technology, we wondered if it would be cheaper? To just make this a regular room with windows. I never did care much for sunrooms anyway. We already have a foundation,so walls, windows and roof. What do you think would be the estimate for that? Just trying to get a ball park. Thank you,
I've had sliders and windows repaired. A glass company will probably be able to do it. I don't know about the curves though.
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