Exeter · Devon
Misted Glass Repair in Exeter
We cover Exeter and Devon for misted double glazing repair, replacing blown sealed units in uPVC, aluminium, timber and composite frames.
- EX1
- EX2
- EX3
- EX4
- Guide from £155
Misted window repair in Exeter: what to know
A sealed unit has a spacer bar around its edge filled with desiccant, a drying agent that absorbs any moisture inside the cavity. When the edge seal fails, damp air keeps getting in until the desiccant is saturated, and condensation then forms between the panes where it cannot be wiped off.
A new unit has to match the overall thickness of the old one so it sits in the existing rebate and takes the original beads. The glazier also notes any Georgian bars, leaded designs or obscure patterns so the replacement matches the other windows in the room.
Once the seal has failed, any argon or other insulating gas in the cavity has escaped and been replaced by ordinary damp air. The unit insulates less well than when it was new, and moisture inside can gradually leave deposits that dull the glass.
A misted unit is a good opportunity to upgrade an older plain glass unit to one with a low-emissivity coating and gas fill. The new unit reduces heat loss through the glass and keeps the room-side pane warmer, without any change to the frame.
What a typical job includes
- Fitting on packers with drainage slots checked
- Written quote fixing the price for the specification
- Survey to confirm the mist is inside the unit
- Removal of old units and cleaning of rebates
Working in Exeter
- Postcodes covered
- EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4 and the surrounding area, including Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot
- Coast
- Exeter is about 6 km from the coast or a tidal estuary, so salt air and wind-driven rain are worth planning for. Salt air and wind-driven rain put extra strain on sealed unit edges in coastal homes. Keeping frame drainage clear and gaskets in good order matters more, and the glazier checks both so the replacement unit is not sitting in trapped water.
- Daylight and sun
- In Exeter the midwinter sun reaches about 16° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 63° and 16.3 hours in midsummer. Units on sunny south and west elevations go through bigger daily temperature swings, which stresses the edge seal over time. In colder, darker months, mist between the panes is often most visible, so the survey is a good time to confirm failure.
- Access and setting
- In flats and terraced streets, replacing misted units often means planning access, parking and carrying units up stairs. Upper-floor windows may need to be done from inside, and conservation areas may require matching bars or glass patterns.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Exeter
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| One misted unit, 600 × 900 mm | £155 – £195 |
| Two misted units, 600 × 900 mm | £305 – £395 |
| Four misted units, 600 × 1100 mm | £685 – £875 |
| Misted unit in a door, toughened | £305 – £385 |
Get a guide price for your size
Approved Document L sets the minimum energy performance for replacement windows and doors in existing homes in England: a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K, or Window Energy Rating band B for windows; doors can instead meet a Door Set Energy Rating (band B, or band C for doors more than 60% glazed); rooflights need 2.2 W/m²K.
What you can choose
Low-E upgrade unit
A coated pane and gas-filled cavity that reduce heat loss compared with older plain glass units, fitted in the same frame.
Georgian bar or leaded
Decorative bars or lead designs remade to match the originals so the new unit lines up with neighbouring windows.
Toughened safety unit
Both panes toughened, for misted units in doors, beside doors or low down where safety glass is required.
Misted Glass Repair in Exeter: questions
Does misted double glazing lose heat?
A misted unit usually insulates less well than when it was new, because any insulating gas in the cavity has escaped and been replaced with damp air. The mist itself also reduces clarity. Replacing the unit restores a sealed cavity, and choosing a low-E unit can improve on the original performance where the old unit was plain glass.
Is it worth replacing misted units or should I get new windows?
If the frames are sound, square and the hinges and locks work, replacing only the misted units is usually the more economical option. New windows make more sense if the frames are rotten, warped, draughty or hard to open. The glazier checks the frames at the survey and the quote will say if replacing units is not good value.
How much does it cost to replace a misted sealed unit?
The cost depends on the size of the unit, the glass type, any Georgian bars, leaded or obscure features, how many units are done together, and access to the window. Larger units, safety glass and upper-floor windows cost more. See the guide prices for typical sizes, then get a written quote for your exact windows.
How can I stop new sealed units misting early?
Keep the drainage slots at the bottom of the frame clear, so rainwater does not sit around the unit edges. Avoid pressure washing the seals, and do not paint over glazing gaskets. Check that opening sashes close properly, as a dropped sash can stress the unit. Report any cracked beads or failed gaskets early.
Do you cover Exeter for misted glass repair?
Yes. We can quote for misted glass repair across Exeter and the surrounding Devon area, including postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3 and EX4, and nearby Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Exeter
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.