any way to repair a sealed insulated glass unit?

[ben]

I have a large picture window that has been fogged for years. I had someone give me a quote to replace it and it came to nearly $1200---a lot more than I had hoped to spend. My searches suggest there's no way to repair this myself, but I thought I'd check here. Seems like I could pull it, take it apart, clean up the glass, put it back together and seal it up. I don't care if the insulating value is as high as it used to be...I just want it to be clear.

Any options? I've read about the Crystal Clear company but they don't have anyone anywhere close.

The window is about 60"x75". Any idea how heavy that would weigh? Even if I could install a new one myself it would save a bundle.

[Freckles]

My brother had the same problem with most of the windows in his house. He called a company and got a quote over the phone that was extremely high.

He called another company and asked to have someone come to check the windows and give him an estimate.

When the guy came he asked my brother if he wanted the windows replaced or just the glass. The windows are good, just the glass is all fogged up. My brother asked for a quote for just replacing the glass and the price was very much less than his first quote.

He called the first company back and asked how much it would cost just to replace the glass in all his windows. Again the price was quite acceptable.

Make certain you are getting a quote for just having the glass replaced and not the entire window.

Freckles

[RicodJour]

If the thing has been fogged for years there's a good chance that the glass has become etched and will never look quite right again.

You're not installing a 5' x 6' insulated lite by yourself unless you are interested to see if arterial blood really does spurt out. That's too big and heavy for one person to handle.

You didn't say what sort of frame the unit is in. Some are easier to remove and replace than others. First things first - call a local insulated glass manufacturer and get a price for the unit by itself. Most likely they won't be willing to give you an installed price over the phone, but it can't hurt to ask.

R

[Tony Hwang]

Few of my neighbors used Crystal Clear service and so far the windows are holding up. No more foggy. I don't know how long they will last.

[Oren]

Ben,

Sealing the glass panes is NOT a home DIY project. You don't have the tools or the shop. Contact a local window glazing company. Let them measure and replace the glass. They have cups to hold and carry the glass. The size you mention can get your hurt, seriously.

Tempered glass will weigh much more.

[skeeter]

i just had basically same size window replaced 2 pane gas for $280.00. in ohio.

[cshenk]

"skeeter" wrote

I had an entire window of same size roughly replaced. 850$ but was part of a package deal and a reduced rate from a friend who's done many other jobs for us. Regular price would have been about 1,100 I think (2 years ago).

[EXT]

I had some insulated glass units replaced by a local glass company. They charged about $1200.00 and I did most of the prep work and finish work, they just removed and replaced the glass units. Took less than an hour. They failed within 2 years, cheap bad units.

Had another window that needed replacing, taller glass units, 2 units less. I contacted a nearby insulated glass unit manufacturer. They made them for just over $125.00 with all the bells and whistles, low-E, insulated separaters, argon filled. Premium units. Took me just over an hour to install.

I have just ordered 15 replacement units for the ones the local glass company replaced and a number of other windows that have gone bad, the total cost is $514.00 plus taxes. Again premium units at an average of $34.26 each.

Don't buy retail, try to go wholesale or manufacturer direct. Shop around.

[Pat]

You might consider replacing the frame as well. Then divide the opening in half and put in two smaller windows. They would be easier to handle if you do the work.

[Phisherman]

Well I had the same issue with one round window. After getting replacement estimates from $570 to $950, I simply removed one pane of glass.

Assuming your window glass thickness is one eighth inch thick, the double pane glass will weigh about 105 pounds +/- 10 percent.