Big BANG

[Varmint Hunter]

Woke up at around midnight to a big BANG. It was 2 degrees on the outdoor thermometer. Looked around for a minute and didn't see anything. Raised the blinds, one at a time, to check the windows and one of my Andersons exploded. While it sounds impossible, this is the second time in 20 years that an Anderson window has done this. The window dealer said that it's not that uncommon, but I don't know anyone else who has had this happen. It has something to do with the extreme difference in temperature from the inside to the outside of the window.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[FEENIX]

Woke up at around midnight to a big BANG. It was 2 degrees on the outdoor thermometer. Looked around for a minute and didn't see anything. Raised the blinds, one at a time, to check the windows and one of my Andersons exploded. While it sounds impossible, this is the second time in 20 years that an Anderson window has done this. The window dealer said that it's not that uncommon, but I don't know anyone who else who has had this happen. It has something to do with the extreme difference in temperature from the inside to the outside of the window.

Has anyone else experienced this?

View attachment 733977

That sucks! Mine is not Anderson's (they were not responsive when I was shopping) so I went with a local glass manufacturer (Chinook) in 2003 and could not be happier. Good luck!

 

[yobuck]

Woke up at around midnight to a big BANG. It was 2 degrees on the outdoor thermometer. Looked around for a minute and didn't see anything. Raised the blinds, one at a time, to check the windows and one of my Andersons exploded. While it sounds impossible, this is the second time in 20 years that an Anderson window has done this. The window dealer said that it's not that uncommon, but I don't know anyone who else who has had this happen. It has something to do with the extreme difference in temperature from the inside to the outside of the window.

Has anyone else experienced this?

View attachment 733977

Woke up at around midnight to a big BANG. It was 2 degrees on the outdoor thermometer. Looked around for a minute and didn't see anything. Raised the blinds, one at a time, to check the windows and one of my Andersons exploded. While it sounds impossible, this is the second time in 20 years that an Anderson window has done this. The window dealer said that it's not that uncommon, but I don't know anyone who else who has had this happen. It has something to do with the extreme difference in temperature from the inside to the outside of the window.

Has anyone else experienced this?

View attachment 733977

Well it did get so cold here in Vero Beach that ice formed on water, but none of the windows exploded. lol
We have impact windows so maybe that wouldnt happen anyway.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've never heard of that happening. I live where the temps can get down below zero overnight during the winter months.

 

[vern.284]

I have a few Anderson myself and never heard of this. Sorry neighbor

 

[akdad]

I spent a lot of yrs where it routinely got to -40 that's not normal at all. I wonder if it's installation caused?? Not a fun problem to have at all.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Replacement sashes cost about $500 each. That's more than the cost for an entire new double-hung window. However, it's a lot easier to replace a sash than it is to do a window replacement. Sometimes you just can't win.

 

[30378wbymag]

The cold may be condensing the frame as to cause pressure? Heater kicks on and a blast of warm air rising maybe enough??? Same room and window??

 

[sp6x6]

The two panes of window have a spacer, many new windows low E,argon is pumped in the space, there is a small capillary tube so windows can make it over mountain passes and not deform in transit.Ive had many a window seal fail, but not crack and blow apart.When seal fails the window will get slight haze on inside, then glass panel has to be replaced.Most of more modern windows a tech can replace the glass panel, Ive done that before.

 

[akdad]

I just looked and there is Andersen dealer in Fairbanks. I would give them a call with any cold problems. They would have better experience then most.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

The cold may be condensing the frame as to cause pressure? Heater kicks on and a blast of warm air rising maybe enough??? Same room and window??

The two incidences were 20 years apart. Both windows were installed about 30 years ago when the room was gutted and rebuilt. Last night's window event happened in a doghouse dormer where there is no heat nearby. The window that let go 20 years ago was on the back of the house and had baseboard heat along the wall under it.

It's hard to see in the photo but most of the cracks and fallen window glass are on the outside pane. The inside pane is also cracked in the shape of a big C on the inside left of the window. It sure makes a big BANG when it lets go.

BTW - it is definitely not caused by anything hitting the window. In both cases, the window was covered by a full screen which was not damaged. You can see the screen in the photo.

 

[30378wbymag]

Dang, that stinks, I had one go in a house in California, south facing BIG window couldn't take the heat I reckon. Just a big crack on the outside pane, no big bang :(

 

[imyourhuckleberry]

Any chance that it might be the house shifting causing the window to explode by the torque created in the shift?

 

[K9TXS]

Same thing happened to one of my daughters last night. They heard a loud noise and checking around they found a window cracked from top to the bottom. Not an Anderson window, but it still cracked.