Fogged glass · Northern Virginia
Fogged Glass Replacement
Replace fogged glass. Keep your existing window frame. See the difference.
Before and after window glass replacement
Signs your seal has failed
Signs the seal between the panes has failed
Fog, haze or droplets between the two panes that won't wipe off from inside or outside.
A cloudy or milky look that comes and goes with the weather, then stays.
White streaks, spots or a rainbow sheen on the inside surfaces.
One window that looks misty while the ones beside it are clear.
Black seal material bulging into the visible glass area around the edge.
Condensation on an accessible surface is different and does not by itself establish a failed seal. Moisture trapped between the panes points to failure of the sealed unit. For photos and a quick test, read how to tell if a window seal is broken.
Windows & patio doors
Fogged glass comes in every shape.
A few examples from AS&G service visits. Select a photo for a closer look.
Understanding insulated glass
What an insulated glass unit is, and why its seal fails
A double-pane window's sealed space is filled with dry air or argon when it's made. Once the seal fails, that fill escapes and moist outdoor air takes its place. Moisture can leave condensation, streaks and cloudy deposits between the panes. Organic growth or rust-colored staining can also develop inside a failed unit.
An insulated glass unit (IGU) has two panes of glass held apart by a spacer and sealed around the perimeter. Drying material in the spacer helps control moisture. You'll also hear it called thermopane, double-pane glass or a sealed unit.
The seal between the panes wears out over time. Sun and heat make the glass expand every day and shrink every night, which works the seal loose. Water trapped between the sash and glass unit can accelerate deterioration. South- and west-facing exposure, sprinklers and poor drainage can contribute.
Once moisture gets inside, the glass is less insulating, and the fog gets worse, not better. A failed seal can't be repaired. The fix is a new insulated glass unit.
How fogged glass replacement works
How we replace fogged glass
We measure the glass unit.
Our technician measures each fogged unit and notes the grids, coatings and whether safety glazing is required in that location.
New glass is manufactured to the exact size.
Your replacement unit is made for your opening, with the glass, coatings and grids for your situation.
We replace the glass on site.
We remove the failed unit and install the new insulated glass in your existing window.
Clear glass, cleaned up.
We check the fit, clean the glass and take the old glass with us for disposal.
Most ordered materials typically arrive 10–12 business days after approval. Once they arrive, our office contacts you to schedule installation. This is the materials lead time, not a promise that installation will be completed within that period.
Why repair instead of replace
Replace the glass, not the window
Replacing fogged glass is typically $1,000 less than replacing the window. You pay for the new insulated glass and the labor to install it in the frame you already have.
Lower cost:
typically $1,000 less than a new window.
No change to the window frame:
your trim, paint and interior finishes stay untouched.
A matching look:
the new glass matches the windows around it.
Free, itemized estimate,
with no pressure.
See the full breakdown in our fogged glass replacement cost guide.
Before & after
Fogged Glass Before & After
A matching finish
The right glass for your window
Every replacement unit is custom sized to your window, so rectangles, arches, half-rounds, circles and angled tops can all be replaced. Shaped glass is made from a template of the opening.
Grids between the panes
are rebuilt in the new unit to match your pattern.
Safety glazing
is specified for the opening and applicable requirements. Certain door, bathroom, low-level and stair locations need safety glazing; we check the particular opening and use tempered glass where required.
Low-E
is matched to your other windows, so the new glass doesn't look different from outside.
Obscure or tinted glass,
such as bronze, is matched to what you have.
Windows we repair
Window brands we replace glass for
We replace fogged glass in all window brands. In Northern Virginia we often see Pella, Andersen, Marvin, JELD-WEN, Weather Shield, Ply Gem, WinCore, MW Windows, Metal Industries, Patriot, Simonton, ProVia, Sunrise, Alside, Earthwise, Barbara & Ross, West Window Corp, Therma-Tru and many others. We can replace the glass in almost any window, including vinyl, wood, aluminum and clad windows in double-hung, casement, sliding, picture and bay styles.
- Pella
- Andersen
- Marvin
- JELD-WEN
- Weather Shield
- Ply Gem
- WinCore
- MW Windows
- Metal Industries
- Patriot
- Simonton
- ProVia
- Sunrise
- Alside
- Earthwise
- Barbara & Ross
- West Window Corp
- Therma-Tru
Know your options
When a new window makes more sense
Glass replacement is the right call when the frame and sash remain serviceable. Consider a new window when the frame is bent, warped, bowed, rusted or rotted beyond repair; several problems affect the same window; or it no longer opens or locks and cannot be fixed. Very old single-pane windows with poor insulation can also warrant a replacement comparison. Age alone does not decide it—we assess the condition and the repair cost.
Wood window sash repair
Rot repaired in the existing sash and sill.
Window repair
Balances, tilt latches, locks, cranks and drafts.
Broken window glass
Cracked and shattered glass replaced.
Sliding glass door repair
Fogged door glass, rollers and locks.
Replacement windows
New windows, professionally installed by our technicians.
Glass replacement cost
Fogged Glass Replacement Cost
A typical residential single- or double-hung sash insulated glass unit starts around $185–$300 for the glass unit only; installation is additional. Size, shape, clear/Low-E/tempered glass and internal grids affect the unit price. Installation varies with quantity, complexity and access, including ladder or scaffold setup. Every estimate is itemized. Replacing the glass is typically $1,000 or more less than a new window. Request a free estimate; photos are helpful but optional.
- Size and shape of the glass
- Clear, Low-E or tempered specification
- Grids between the panes
- Quantity, installation complexity and access
The $185–$300 starting guidance is for a typical residential sash glass unit only. Installation is additional.
Your local glass team
Fogged glass replacement from American Screen & Glass
American Screen & Glass has replaced fogged window glass throughout Northern Virginia since 1993. We serve all of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, Alexandria and parts of Prince William County.
Repair first. No pressure. Send photos for a free, itemized estimate, or try our glass cost calculator.
Fogged glass FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does fogged glass replacement take?
Most ordered materials typically arrive 10–12 business days after approval. Once they arrive, our office contacts you to schedule installation. This is the materials lead time, not a promise that installation will be completed within that period.
What warranty comes with replacement insulated glass?
Insulated glass has a 10-year warranty, and labor/workmanship has a one-year warranty. Other product warranties vary; screens have no warranty. Refer to AS&G's written warranty for the coverage and terms for your project.
Can foggy double-pane windows be repaired?
Yes, by replacing the insulated glass unit. A failed seal can't be resealed, but the new unit goes into your existing frame. It's typically $1,000 less than replacing the window.
What causes cloudy windows?
A failed seal between the panes. Moist air gets into the sealed space, condenses, and leaves a cloudy film on the inside surfaces. Heat, sun and standing water wear the seal out over time.
Do foggy windows need to be replaced?
The glass does, but the whole window often does not. When the frame and sash still work, we replace just the fogged insulated glass. Fog trapped inside does not clear permanently on its own; deposits and organic growth can further cloud the view.
How much does it cost to replace fogged window glass?
A typical residential single- or double-hung sash insulated glass unit starts around $185–$300 for the glass unit only; installation is additional. Size, shape, clear/Low-E/tempered glass and internal grids affect the unit price. Installation varies with quantity, complexity and access, including ladder or scaffold setup. Every estimate is itemized. Replacing the glass is typically $1,000 or more less than a new window. Request a free estimate; photos are helpful but optional.
What is an insulated glass unit?
Two or more panes of glass separated by a spacer and sealed around the perimeter, with dry air or gas between them. The common double-pane unit is also called thermopane or a sealed unit. Triple- and quadruple-pane assemblies use additional panes.
Can you replace just the glass in my window?
Yes. We remove the failed unit and install new glass manufactured to the exact size in your existing window. The frame, trim and paint stay.
Are foggy windows a problem?
Fogging indicates the seal has failed, reducing the unit's insulating performance and clouding the view. A window in otherwise sound condition can still keep weather out. Replacing the failed glass restores a clear view and the sealed insulating unit.
Do you work on all window brands?
Yes. We replace fogged glass in all window brands, including Pella, Andersen, Marvin, JELD-WEN, Weather Shield, Ply Gem, WinCore, MW Windows, Metal Industries, Patriot, Simonton, ProVia, Sunrise, Alside, Earthwise, Barbara & Ross, West Window Corp, Therma-Tru and many others.
Will the new glass match my other windows?
Yes. We match Low-E to your other windows, rebuild grids in the same pattern, and match obscure or tinted glass, so the new unit blends in from inside and outside.
Can you replace fogged glass in a sliding door?
Yes. We replace sliding door glass and confirm the appropriate insulated unit and safety-glazing specification for the opening. See sliding glass door repair.
Pella, Andersen, Marvin, JELD-WEN, Weather Shield, Ply Gem, WinCore, MW Windows, Metal Industries, Patriot, Simonton and Therma-Tru are trademarks of their respective owners.
Explore your options
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Ready to repair fogged glass windows in Northern Virginia?
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