Simulated Divided LightsĪlthough window manufacturers continue to offer a range of simulated divided lights (or SDLs), the better offerings have dividers that are permanently attached to the interior and exterior panes with a durable adhesive. The latest versions of simulated dividers are much more realistic than early snap-in or removable grille versions, which lacked depth and were poorly proportioned, especially in relation to historical windows. Options for replacement windows, in my case, range from real divided-light windows with multiple, separate panes of glass to simulated divided lights, an increasingly popular option for windows since they were introduced in the last decades of the 20th century. They don’t match other windows in the house, and they aren’t double-glazed. The cottage came with a few not-so-sturdy replacement windows that long ago outlived their usefulness. But without the old, hand-built, wooden storm windows to create effective double glazing (trapping insulating air in-between), I’d be awfully cold in winter. I treasure the few original single-pane casement and double-hung windows that remain in my 80-year-old rustic cottage. That way, if you do run into seal problems, you can get them replaced under warranty.Historical, convincing, and energy efficient: simulated divided lights in a custom installation by Heartwood Windows. Your windows should be warrantied for at least that long. You can tell if a double-pane window is reputable if the manufacturer is willing to stand by their product for 15-20 years after installation. Perhaps most telling is that they often don’t come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Poorly made windows tend to have weak seals. Many homeowners run into issues when they try to cut costs: they buy cheaper windows from a less-reputable manufacturer, or have an inexperienced technician install them. You can avoid future window seal problems by having high-quality windows installed by a reputable company. Premature seal failure can occur if the windows are improperly installed in hot weather, or if water damage affects the window sill. However, their lifespan greatly depends on the quality of the window manufacturing process and initial installation. Your home’s double-pane windows and their seals should last about 20-25 years. However, there’s an upper limit to how much moisture and condensation the desiccant beads can handle, which is why your windows are now clouding up. They can also handle incidental amounts of moisture shortly after the seal is breached. These are moisture absorbers: the beads will dry out the air inside the air pocket after the window has been sealed. Most dual-pane windows contain desiccant beads. If your home’s double-pane windows are clouding or steaming up between the two panes of glass, that’s a good sign that the interior air pocket has been breached, the insulating gas has escaped, and that moist air is entering into the gap. But, it also prevents outside air and moisture from getting into the air pocket. The seal plays two key roles: first, it prevents the insulating gas from escaping. When the windows are manufactured, this pocket is often filled with a non-toxic, insulating gas-like argon or krypton-and then sealed tight. The two panes of glass in a double-pane window are actually separated by a thin interior air pocket.
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