Beads in frame of insulated glass window
 

I have some 25 year-old double-hung windows that supposedly have
double vacuum glass for the glazing. They have been cloudy between
the two pieces for many years, but I didn't get around to working on
them until yesterday. I removed one of the glass assemblies to see
how thick they were and the exact dimentsions so I could order some
replacement glass units from my local glass store. I have used the
store to prefabricate glass to replace some other window units about 9
years ago with great results. As I was removing the two layers of
glass from the aluminum frame that separated them, the aluminum frame
separated at one of the corners and a zillion (well maybe only a
million) tiny white beads came out of the frame. They were about the
size of sprinkles on chocolate mints. I am guessing that maybe the
windows weren't really vacuum sealed, but depended on the beads to
absorb any moisture that headed in their direction.

Does anyone have any experience with these types of windows they can
share?

Beads in frame of insulated glass window
 

hr(bob) wrote:
I have some 25 year-old double-hung windows that supposedly have
double vacuum glass for the glazing. They have been cloudy between
the two pieces for many years, but I didn't get around to working on
them until yesterday. I removed one of the glass assemblies to see
how thick they were and the exact dimentsions so I could order some
replacement glass units from my local glass store. I have used the
store to prefabricate glass to replace some other window units about 9
years ago with great results. As I was removing the two layers of
glass from the aluminum frame that separated them, the aluminum frame
separated at one of the corners and a zillion (well maybe only a
million) tiny white beads came out of the frame. They were about the
size of sprinkles on chocolate mints. I am guessing that maybe the
windows weren't really vacuum sealed, but depended on the beads to
absorb any moisture that headed in their direction.

Does anyone have any experience with these types of windows they can
share?

That would be a dessicant.

Generally, you're best recourse would be to have new doublepane units
fabricated for the windows. If you're lucky, they have the wherewithal
to make them the same thickness or thinner than the existing
panes/dividing holders. Inert-gas-filled are better choice than vaccuum...

--

Beads in frame of insulated glass window
 

On Nov 29, 2:53*pm, dpb wrote:
hr(bob) wrote:
I have some 25 year-old double-hung windows that supposedly have
double vacuum glass for the glazing. *They have been cloudy between
the two pieces for many years, but I didn't get around to working on
them until yesterday. *I removed one of the glass assemblies to see
how thick they were and the exact dimentsions so I could order some
replacement glass units from my local glass store. *I have used the
store to prefabricate glass to replace some other window units about 9
years ago with great results. *As I was removing the two layers of
glass from the aluminum frame that separated them, the aluminum frame
separated at one of the corners and a zillion (well maybe only a
million) tiny white beads came out of the frame. *They were about the
size of sprinkles on chocolate mints. *I am guessing that maybe the
windows weren't really vacuum sealed, but depended on the beads to
absorb any moisture that headed in their direction.

Does anyone have any experience with these types of windows they can
share?

That would be a dessicant.

Generally, you're best recourse would be to have new doublepane units
fabricated for the windows. *If you're lucky, they have the wherewithal
to make them the same thickness or thinner than the existing
panes/dividing holders. *Inert-gas-filled are better choice than vaccuum...

--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, that;s what I'm planning on doing if I decide not to just
replace the entire windows. I have 3 months to doing pricing, I fgure
now that it is winter here in the Chicago area I can get the best
prices on full windows as well as on glass inserts.

Beads in frame of insulated glass window
 

On Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:56:39 -0800 (PST), "hr(bob) "
wrote:

On Nov 29, 2:53*pm, dpb wrote:
hr(bob) wrote:
I have some 25 year-old double-hung windows that supposedly have
double vacuum glass for the glazing. *They have been cloudy between
the two pieces for many years, but I didn't get around to working on
them until yesterday. *I removed one of the glass assemblies to see
how thick they were and the exact dimentsions so I could order some
replacement glass units from my local glass store. *I have used the
store to prefabricate glass to replace some other window units about 9
years ago with great results. *As I was removing the two layers of
glass from the aluminum frame that separated them, the aluminum frame
separated at one of the corners and a zillion (well maybe only a
million) tiny white beads came out of the frame. *They were about the
size of sprinkles on chocolate mints. *I am guessing that maybe the
windows weren't really vacuum sealed, but depended on the beads to
absorb any moisture that headed in their direction.

Does anyone have any experience with these types of windows they can
share?

That would be a dessicant.

Generally, you're best recourse would be to have new doublepane units
fabricated for the windows. *If you're lucky, they have the wherewithal
to make them the same thickness or thinner than the existing
panes/dividing holders. *Inert-gas-filled are better choice than vaccuum...

--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, that;s what I'm planning on doing if I decide not to just
replace the entire windows. I have 3 months to doing pricing, I fgure
now that it is winter here in the Chicago area I can get the best
prices on full windows as well as on glass inserts.

Something I learned today that I never really paid attention too
before. The U-Factor of a window glass. (lower the better)


"What is a Window U-Factor?"

The U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping.
The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-factor of a
window assembly. U-factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and
1.20.

In the United States, the U-factor is usually expressed in Btu/h ft²
F. The metric equivalent unit is W/m² K.

The insulating value is indicated by the R-value, which is the inverse
of the U-factor. The lower the U-factor, the greater a window''s
resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. The
U-factor is included in the energy performance rating (label) offered
by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).

http://resourcecenter.pnl.gov/cocoon...er/article/102

Beads in frame of insulated glass window
 

dpb wrote:

Generally, you're best recourse would be to have new doublepane units
fabricated for the windows. If you're lucky, they have the wherewithal
to make them the same thickness or thinner than the existing
panes/dividing holders.


Inert-gas-filled are better choice than vaccuum...

Is that your opinion because they last longer or they have a higher r-value?