I want to add a 2nd pane of glass (actually plan to use polycarbonate) on my garage door windows. Each door has two 16×40 windows, and I need to use some form of insulation kit between the panes, such as 1/4″x 1/4″ foam. I’ll need about 80 feet of this to do the perimeter of the window and also the perimeter of the plastic bezel that hold the panes in place. What would be the preferred product to use?
I am thinking of only 1/4″ thick since the 16 existing screws that hold the front an back plastic bezels together can be re-used – if I made it thicker, I’d have to replace the 1″ screws with larger ones. Will the 1/4″ space provide an adequate air space between the panes? My goal is to prevent condensation and icing on the inside pane.
Feb
01
Category: Home & Garden
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Unless you can remove all the moisture in the air between the panes I dont think you will avoid condensation. If the object is to provide additional insulation you should reduce the size of the window. Heat transfer is based on area as well as insulation however in your case the area will be more dominant that the R factor obtained by the thin insulation. I’d suggest considering smaller windows. With or even without the smaller window (may not be practical) you might consider some form of lightweight insulation for the whole grarage door such as hard foam or even a thin layer of space blanket type insulation.
Although you will trap moisture inside, you could add some moisture-absorbing pellets inside before sealing the new pane in. Those ones in the vitamin bottles would be great. Just put them where they can’t be seen.
I doubt it…unless you have a heated garage it will freeze inside and outside.
So you heat your garage, and the windows ice up cuz they are cold? And you want to double glaze them, using foam as a spacer?
Ok: I can see the 1/4″, and about the only problem is whether that will hold the panes apart…if they touch, you lose the insulation value. Polycarbonate is a good choice…it’s pretty stable and rigid. Ok…you want a seal that is closed cell foam at least…but rubber would be better, like automotive weatherstriping that won’t crush as easy as foam. The little dissicant pack in each window would be good insurance, but if you do it on a cold day and work at enclosing cold dry air between the panes, there isn’t any good reason they would frost or fog up inside.
Will that double glazing be enough to keep ‘em from frosting up? It will certainly help, and while it’s not “low-E turbo deluxe argon and unobtainium filled” or anything, the difference in insulation value is significant…the double glazing does the lions share of the improvement, and all the other fancy stuff add a much % percentage.