Condensation between panes in Clairemont, San Diego
Condensation or fog that forms between the two panes of glass, not on the interior or exterior surface, is a sign the insulated glass unit's seal has failed. This is different from ordinary condensation on the room-side surface of a window, which is a humidity issue, not a broken seal.
1950s-70s single-pane aluminum due for dual-pane retrofit.These postwar mesas lose the marine cooling by mid-afternoon, so afternoon heat gain through west-facing glass is a real comfort and energy issue. The defining feature is age: most homes here got their windows in the 1950s-1970s tract-home boom, and that first generation of single-pane aluminum is now decades past its useful life.
The tract blocks across North Clairemont, Bay Ho, and the Mount Streets hold thousands of 1960s homes with original aluminum sliders where the frames have loosened, the screens are shot, and the single-pane glass does little against Clairemont Mesa Boulevard traffic noise. A full-house dual-pane vinyl retrofit is the signature project, and corroded nail fins on the original aluminum often mean hidden frame repair is part of the job.
What causes it
- Failed IGU seal letting humid air into the sealed cavity between panes
- Loss of the argon or krypton gas fill through the same seal failure
- Age: most IGU seals reach the end of their service life somewhere between 10 and 20 years
How it gets fixed
- IGU glass replacement when the frame and sash are sound
- Full window replacement when the frame is also compromised
What it costs to fix in Clairemont
Pricing is the same across San Diego County with no upcharge for Clairemont. We confirm a written quote before any work starts.
Condensation between panes questions in Clairemont
Why does this happen in Clairemont?
Condensation or fog that forms between the two panes of glass, not on the interior or exterior surface, is a sign the insulated glass unit's seal has failed. This is different from ordinary condensation on the room-side surface of a window, which is a humidity issue, not a broken seal.. In Clairemont, the defining job is a full-house dual-pane retrofit, since the neighborhood is full of original 1960s single-pane aluminum sliders that are decades past their service life and drive both noise and energy complaints., which shapes how this shows up.
What is the difference between condensation on the glass and condensation between the panes?
Surface condensation (on the room-side glass) is a humidity and temperature issue that can be managed with ventilation or a warmer glass surface. Condensation between the panes means the sealed unit itself has failed and the glass needs to be replaced.
Can I dry out condensation between the panes?
No. The cavity is sealed and not accessible without replacing the glass unit. Any moisture inside will keep recurring because the seal that is supposed to keep it out has already failed.
Does condensation between panes mean I lost the argon fill too?
Almost always, yes. The same seal failure that lets humid air in also lets the insulating gas fill escape, so the window has lost both its clarity and part of its thermal performance.
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