Abbotsford, Chilliwack & the Fraser Valley
Foggy
Window Repacement
Condensation between the panes? Your window’s not broken — its seal is. We replace the sealed unit and leave the rest of the window in place.
Foggy Window?
What’s Actually Going On With Your Window
If you’re noticing fog, condensation, or a hazy film between the two panes of glass in one of your windows — and wiping it down doesn’t help — you’re in the right place. Here’s what’s actually happening, what the fix looks like, and how to get a quote.
Why condensation appears between panes
Modern double and triple-pane windows have a sealed gap between the panes. That gap is filled with dry air or an inert gas, and it’s what makes the window energy-efficient. When the seal around the gap fails — usually after years of temperature cycling — moisture gets inside. That moisture condenses on the inner faces of the glass, where you can see it but can’t reach it.
Why the glass, not the whole window, usually needs replacing
The window itself is mechanically fine. The frame, hardware, and exterior of the glass are all still doing their job. What’s failed is the seal — and the fix is to replace the sealed unit (the glass insert), not the whole window.
A few common reasons
Why Sealed Units Fail
If one of your windows has fogged up, others on the same exposure or of the same age are likely candidates too. Worth checking around the house while you’re at it.
Age
Most sealed units last 15–25 years. After that, seal failure becomes increasingly common.
Temperature swings
Big daily or seasonal swings flex the seal over time.
South-facing exposure
Windows that take direct sun all day fail faster than shaded ones.
Improper installation
Seals that were stressed during the original install fail earlier.
Aggressive cleaning
Pressure washing or harsh chemicals around the seal can compromise it.
The fix
Replace the Sealed Unit, Not the Window
The replacement is much more straightforward than most homeowners expect.
1) We measure the existing sealed unit.
2) We order a new one — sized, glass-spec'd, and gas-filled to match the original.
3) We come back, remove the old sealed unit, and install the new one.
4) Your window frame, hardware, and trim stay in place.
5) Good as new.
You end up with a window that looks and operates exactly like the original — just clear again. And you don’t pay for a new frame, new hardware, or the labor of a full window replacement.
The Sealed Units We Replace
Standard double-pane sealed units
The most common job, typically the fastest turnaround.
Triple-pane sealed units
Slightly longer lead time, same process.
Tempered sealed units
Required in certain locations (low to the floor, near doors, in stairwells, in bathrooms). We match the original spec.
Patterned, frosted, or low-E sealed units
When the original has specialty glass, we match it.
Oversized or custom-shaped sealed units
Longer lead times; we’ll quote honestly on timing.
Why Riverside Glass
Why People Across the Valley Send Us Their Foggy Windows
We do a lot of these
Sealed unit replacement is one of our most common residential services. Our crew does the swap cleanly without damaging the trim or frame.
Standard sizes are typically faster
Common-size sealed units turn around faster than specialty or oversized ones.
Honest scoping
If your window is genuinely past saving and a sealed unit replacement isn’t the right fix, we’ll tell you.
Warranty
Every sealed unit replacement is backed by a manufacturer warranty against seal failure on the sealed unit itself. Every install is backed by our workmanship warranty.
Recent Foggy Window Replacement Work From Across The Valley
FAQs
Foggy Window Replacement Questions We Hear Most
still have questions?
Call us or fill out our online form to receive a free estimate.
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Yes — in most cases the sealed unit (the glass insert) can be replaced without touching the frame, hardware, or trim. That's the whole point of our foggy window service. Unless your frame is damaged or rotted, a sealed unit replacement is almost always the right fix and significantly cheaper than a full window replacement.
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The install itself is quick. The lead time depends on whether your unit is a standard size or needs to be custom-ordered — standard sealed units turn around faster, specialty or oversized units take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline when we quote. [NEEDS CLIENT INPUT — confirm turnaround range for standard vs. specialty sealed units.]
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Most sealed units last 15–25 years before seal failure becomes common. The replacement we install is backed by a manufacturer warranty on the sealed unit itself and a workmanship warranty on the install — we'll go over the specific terms when we quote. [NEEDS CLIENT INPUT — confirm manufacturer warranty length from your suppliers (Hartung, PFG).]
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The most common causes are age, repeated temperature swings, heavy sun exposure (south-facing windows fail faster), improper original installation, and damage from pressure washing or harsh cleaning products around the seal. If one window on a sun-facing wall has failed, the others nearby are likely candidates too — worth checking around the house while we're there.
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Yes, and it's usually more efficient that way. We can assess and quote multiple windows in a single visit and order the replacement units together to minimize return trips.
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We can handle non-standard and custom-shaped sealed units — they just take longer to source than standard sizes. Send us photos and dimensions and we'll quote honestly on lead time.
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We order the replacement to match the original spec — same glass type (standard, low-E, tempered, patterned), same gas fill, and same dimensions. In most cases the result is visually identical to a new window.
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It depends on your policy and the cause of the seal failure. Some home warranties cover sealed unit failure; standard homeowner insurance generally covers glass damage from specific incidents (break-ins, storms) rather than age-related seal failure. We can provide documentation if you're working with your insurer or home warranty provider.
testimonials
What Clients Are Saying
Working With Riverside on Foggy Window Replacement Is a Good Fit If…
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You've got fog, condensation, or haze between the panes of one or more windows
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You'd rather replace a sealed unit than a whole window when the rest of the window is fine
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You want a glass shop that explains what's happening, not one that tries to upsell you
Get a Quote
Send Us Your Foggy Window Replacement Project
We’ll get back to you with a number and next steps. Most quotes go out within one to two business days. If you’d rather just talk, the line is open Monday to Friday, 8 to 4.
Address
Unit 107, 7990 Lickman Road, Chilliwack, BC
Hours
Mon–Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
