Recently we had a customer come to us with a request to quote the replacement of some fogged or frosted RV windows. RV window fogging is a pretty common problem on a lot of RV’s that have seen some mileage. Much like in your own home, dual pane windows have been widely used in RV construction for their energy savings and ability to help keep your RV warm or cool as needed. We all know that climate control is one of the most taxing functions on your RV and puts a lot of strain on the electrical. Therefore anything you can do to help the HVAC system in your RV do its job is a welcome addition.
The air layer between the glass on a dual pane window panes provides a significant increase in the insulation quality of the window and prevents condensation from forming inside as long as the window’s inner air seal is unbroken.
Here is where the problems comes for RV’s- they move a lot while travelling, and after time, the movement of being on the road puts a lot of strain on the seals causing failure of the window seals which then creates the windows fog.
The rubber seals that close off the inner air pocket in the window and prevent humidity from penetrating the two panels of glass, are sealed and dry when built at the factory. Once that seal is compromised, however, humidity is allowed to enter the air pocket of the window, resulting in condensation and fog.
RV window replacement Options
RV owners have some decisions to make when it comes to restoring their fogged dual pane windows. The easiest, but perhaps most expensive option is to simply buy and install new windows. You can do this on your own or take your RV to a repair shop such as our shop at Coach Specialists in Dallas Ft. Worth Texas and have us install a replacement window. The benefit with this option is the convenience of not having to do this yourself, and the peace of mind in knowing that the window is installed properly, sealed properly, and that no water leaks will crop up causing further damage to other areas of the RV.
Another option is to remove your own windows and take them to a qualified glass or window shop and have them re seal the windows. If you are handy and have the time, this can be a reasonably priced option for some RV owners. . Depending on the turnaround time, this also means that you need to have the RV covered while the windows are out. So keep in mind that this will take your RV off the road for a significant period of time. Also you will need to protect your RV from the weather while your windows are being fixed and while you are removing and re-installing them.
While researching shops to fix your windows, make sure to let them know they will be dealing with RV dual pane windows as they are different than regular home windows. Some shops are not set up or have the expertise to fix RV windows especially if yours has rounded corners.
Some, RV windows are factory filled with argon or nitrogen gas. If you can find a facility that has the capability of refilling the space with a dry gas, your chances of success are a lot better because it is the moisture inside the cavity that causes the condensation.
There are RV-specific repair shops like ours in Dallas Texas, who can repair or replace your RV windows for you. In most cases, you bring your rig to the facility, they remove the windows one at a time and disassemble them completely. They then clean the glass to remove the fogging and reassemble the glass with completely new seals. They also use better materials in hopes of preventing this from recurring.
In some cases, the interior glass is etched beyond the point of normal cleaning or polishing and must be replaced. To try to prevent this, when you see fogging on your windows you should have them repaired soon rather than waiting months or years. The longer you wait the more difficult it is to remove the deposits.