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Has anyone ever used stacked IGUs in a homemade window?

Chad Zeman| Posted inEnergy Efficiency and Durabilityon

I’m building a shop for my small construction company and have some insulated glass units that I saved from previous jobs. Has anyone ever used stacked IGUs in a homemade window?

I was thinking of making one removable like a storm window.

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay||#1

    Chad,
    I'm sure someone has done it.

    I've built plenty of fixed windows using IGUs. However, all of the windows I've built have been double-glazed (with one IGU). I have never tried to assemble a fixed window with quadruple glazing (made from two IGUs).

    The usual problem with site-built multipane windows is condensation between the glazing layers. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to stick with windows that have just one IGU.

    Building a removable storm panel to hold an IGU is a lot of work, and I'm not sure it's worth it.

  2. Chad Zeman||#2

    Martin,

    Thanks for the response.

    I used a different search term "storm windows with IGU" and found some over comments. Heat may also become a problem. I only have two windows to build so I think I may experiment with this idea, I have the glass.

  3. Keith Gustafson||#3

    I have done it.

    On the sunny side, you will get condensation in the winter, but it goes away when it warms up.

    I would use simple weatherstripping between the units so you can take them out every X years and clean them

    In the shade, not many problems, slight blush when very cold, goes away quickly

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