double pane window issue

[EVOLVO]

The other night I was sitting in the house when I heard what seemed like someone tapping on a window. Checked outside and found nothing. Next day I walked around and found that a DPW on the west side of the house had cracked on the inside pane. It was a warmer sunny day in the PNW and as I looked at the window it continued to crack right before my eyes. This window is aluminum framed 18" X 34" so glass is approx 14" X 30" and has a pretty thin 1/4" spacer between the panes. I had noticed some moisture on the window earlier but must confess I don't know if was between the panes or outside.
Anyone have a clue as to why this happened?
Thanx in advance

 

[Ed Litsch]

Expansion of the frame.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

For what's its worth I got a call the other day from one of my tenants that the window was cracked. It's a double hung unit with dpw. Oddball size window I would have to order then go put in (replacement unit). Called local glass co and they will actually come out and cut the dpw out and install a new on site with the sash in. I am waiting for them to actually come as I write this, but $75 is better than $250 to replace the whole window.

 

[EVOLVO]

Expansion of the frame.

I guess that's a possibility, but it broke at night when it was in the low 30's so it's more likely the frame contracted. Then it got up to the mid 50's and the window was in direct sunlight so then the frame would have expanded, I watched it continue to crack.
I'm not saying your wrong just not sure that your correct
Any other ideas out there?

 

[orca8589]

Depending on the window's location in your home, a possibility might be settling. We bought a house in 2011, and we're having issues with settling right now, like doors sticking in frames & windows not moving smoothly. The house was fully remodeled, with DPW vinyl put in right before we bought it.

We have a neighbor who has had to replace two DPW vinyl windows, and the installers figured that foundation settling and seismic/thermal ground movement were the cause. One window cracked, and the other had a pane that moved enough that a seal opened up and condensation built up inside.

As minor as these things seem (at least to me), apparently these factors add up after a while.

Someone more knowledgeable will be able to tell you more about these issues.

~Chris

 

[whyNick?]

If there was moisture in between the panes it may have evaporated in the warm sun, raising the pressure inside the window enough to crack the glass. Or it may have simply been the temperature change. I was installing some double pane windows once and had one of them crack when I took it from inside a cold garage and set it in the sun.