Argon Gas Windows Condensation

When effective double pane windows should not produce much or any condensation.

Argon gas windows condensation.

Double pane windows also called insulated or thermal windows are made with two panels of glass sandwiched over a spacer and sealant creating a space between the panes that is filled with air or with a gas usually argon or krypton. Gases like argon are preferable to air because air contains moisture that can condense on the inside of the glass units making the window cloudy. By keeping the heat or cold air inside the house the windows provide a better insulator than windows with oxygen between the panes. Argon is an inexpensive non toxic colorless and odorless gas that occurs naturally and constitutes less than 1 percent of earth s atmosphere.

Air also insulates less effectively than gas fills. 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. A critical temperature known as the dew point exists where these water droplets will be forced so close together that they merge into visible liquid in a process called condensation. You ve probably got a gas leak.

You ll notice this only when the window has lost a significant portion of the gas as condensation will build up inside the product without the argon gas. Condensation risks if an argon filled window has even the smallest gaps in it the argon gas that escapes can be replaced by moisture laden air. Old single pane windows only allow about 12 relative indoor humidity. It is this sealed space that gives the window most of its thermal performance.

Some rv windows are factory filled with argon or nitrogen gas. Laboratory testing shows that modern double paned windows with low e glass and argon gas allow about 37 relative indoor humidity without condensation at 70 f inside 0 f outside. The better solution is to fill the space between panes of glass in the igu with a heavy inert gas such as argon or krypton. Another trademark problem of double pane windows that have become exposed to drafts and likely lost all the argon gas is when condensation builds up on the inner surface.

Argon gas windows are energy efficient due to the density of argon gas being heavier than oxygen. This can be a problem in double pane gas filled windows. Double pane windows have a layer of gas usually argon or air trapped between two panes of glass that acts as insulation to reduce heat loss through the window. In this way the gas between the double paned windows are less effected by convection currents and drafts.