I Can See Clearly Now ...

So we had an issue with our windows.  They were getting this blobby smudge, for lack of a better word on the front and side windows.  I wasn't sure if this was normal.  But in looking at our neighbours.  Why were theirs not having the same issue?

We thought it was just city dust and dirt.  But we could not get them clean.  We then looked into the warranty of our windows recently and sent a note to the manufacturer to let us know if our windows were having a manufacturing defect.   And we found out that it was due to a failed seal, and our windows were still under warranty.  The glass was covered, but the service was not.  So we paid to have the glass all replaced. 

When I asked the installers about the problem, they told me that there was a batch of glass that all had this issue.  And when we asked them to have a look at the back windows, if they need to be replaced too. And they said they had the same failure.

What they told me was the glass had a UV coating failure, that's what the blobs were on the front and side windows.  Even the back ones were having the issue, but it wasn't as large (that blurry smudge on the perimeter is the result of a failed seal), so we couldn't say for sure if it was the same issue or not.   The installer said the back windows are under shade so that's probably why the smudges aren't as big.

All the rear windows are double hung and have a screen on the outside that partially blocks out the UV rays.  So the coating isn't as impacted as the front and side fixed & casement windows that were much worse. Those windows don't have a screen or have the screen on the inside.   It all makes sense to me now!

In hindsight, I should have just sent them photos of all the windows and let them evaluate it.  But it'll get replaced in a second appointment.

I could not believe my eyes.  The new glass was so clear I wasn't sure if the window was open to the outside or not.  What a difference, new glass makes!