Frisco and McKinney have built a lot of new commercial space in the last decade, and much of it uses insulated storefront glass: two panes separated by a sealed space. When the seal fails, moisture gets in, and the glass starts to look cloudy or streaked between the panes. It cannot be wiped off, and it usually gets worse.
What Causes Seal Failure
An insulated unit is sealed around its edges. Over time, that seal can break down. Common causes include:
- Heat and sun: North Texas summers heat glass and frames, and daily expansion and contraction stresses the seal
- Water at the sill: if water sits in the bottom of the frame, it attacks the edge seal
- Installation problems: missing setting blocks or blocked weep holes can trap water around the unit
- Age: even good units eventually fail
- Impact: hail or a hard knock can damage the seal without breaking the glass
Why It Matters
- Appearance: fogged glass makes a storefront look neglected
- Energy: some insulated units are filled with gas that leaks out when the seal fails, reducing insulating value
- Coatings: moisture inside the unit can damage low-E coatings over time
Can Fogged Glass Be Fixed?
Some services drill and clear fogged units, but in commercial storefronts the usual fix is replacing the insulated unit. The frame stays, and only the glass is changed. New gaskets and sealant go in at the same time.
Check the Frame First
Before replacing units, look at why the seal failed. If water is sitting in the sill because weep holes are blocked or the frame was installed without proper drainage, new units will fail too. A good glazier checks the drainage path, setting blocks and sealant as part of the job.
Many Units at Once?
If many units in the same storefront are fogging, it may point to a system-wide problem, such as a frame that does not drain or units from a bad batch. In that case, it is worth asking whether replacing all the units, or the whole storefront, is better value than replacing them one at a time. Check whether the original units are still under the glass manufacturer’s warranty, too.
Matching the Existing Glass
New insulated units should match the tint, coating and reflectivity of the glass around them. Differences are most obvious in reflections and at night. Your glazier should identify the existing glass makeup before ordering.
Fogged Glass in Frisco and McKinney
We replace fogged insulated storefront glass in Frisco, McKinney, Plano and across Dallas-Fort Worth. Call 866-665-3975 or send photos of the fogged units for a quote.