Broken and fogged windows at the Ft. Lauderdale airport

[wwillson]

I was in the Ft. Lauderdale airport a few months ago and snapped these pictures of the windows in the Southwest terminal. Almost every window in the terminal looked like these. The windows were cracked and fogged. I've never seen anything like it, nor do I have any idea what caused it.

 

[PimTac]

That is a lot of damage. If these are double pane that could be moisture getting in via the cracks. I’m guessing these windows were not sufficient for the size?

 

[Number_35]

Are those single- or double-pane windows?

 

[mrsilv04]

They're likely having problems in getting replacement windows. Just like with everything else anymore. Only thing worse than that is to board them up.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

This is the result of typical Covid Supply line breakdowns.

 

[Number_35]

If single-pane windows, the fogging is presumably on the inside. The combination of high humidity and cool glass (due to AC use) will cause this.

I wonder whether the cracking is due to a large temperature differential between the inside and the outside. That could stress the glass or the frames.

 

[MParr]

The panes are laminated, with a plastic sheet in the middle. Moisture has gotten to the plastic layer and that is showing as opaque. The cracks were probably caused by settlement of the structure.

 

[wwillson]

If single-pane windows, the fogging is presumably on the inside. The combination of high humidity and cool glass (due to AC use) will cause this.

They weren't fogged, they were cloudy. It was very strange.

 

[wwillson]

The panes are laminated, with a plastic sheet in the middle. Moisture has gotten to the plastic layer and that is showing as opaque.

This makes sense

 

[wwillson]

They're likely having problems in getting replacement windows.

True, but why would every window in the terminal cracked?

 

[PimTac]

True, but why would every window in the terminal cracked?

Stress is my guess. Have you ever noticed movements when you are in a airport concourse?

 

[Variant_S]

True, but why would every window in the terminal cracked?

Agreed. With every window cracked, I'd lean towards it being a requirements, design, manufacturing, or installation issue.

 

[RedSpider]

I was just in this terminal yesterday and I didnt see anything like that.

 

[wwillson]

I was just in this terminal yesterday and I didnt see anything like that.

Maybe the windows have been replaced.

 

[GSCJR]

I was just in this terminal yesterday and I didnt see anything like that.

Didn't notice it either about a month ago, but I was most likely in a different terminal, terminal 2.

 

[wwillson]

I was just in this terminal yesterday and I didnt see anything like that.

Maybe the windows have been replaced.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Stress is my guess. Have you ever noticed movements when you are in a airport concourse?

Yep, you can literally feel it swaying back and forth.

 

[PimTac]

Yep, you can literally feel it swaying back and forth.

Yep. The buildings seem to be on piers or other kinds of supports due to the baggage equipment and other functions underneath.

Here is the ultimate extreme example. Sendai Airport. 3.11.11. Notice that the windows remain intact.

 

[earlyre]

Airport appears to be right on the coast...
Is that possible hurricane/ storm damage?
Depending on how long ago "a few months ago" was....

 

[GSCJR]

Airport appears to be right on the coast...
Is that possible hurricane/ storm damage?
Depending on how long ago "a few months ago" was....

I don't recall there being a storm on the east coast in recent months, to cause this damage; I was also there in March.