Plastic failure inside thermal window

[Mike Lamb]

I don't know if this is a problem or not. The interior perimeter of these thermal paned windows has a cracking plastic. None of the windows shows signs of a bad seal with fogging or moisture between the glass. Might this adversely affect the R-value? I will take any remarks. Thanks.

[Les]

cracking plastic, in and by itself, would not affect the performance of window.  I suspect it is just cosmetic.  Nearly all vinyl will eventually crack.  I wouldn't think the plastic does anything other than look good. 

 

[Jerry Simon]

Seen that in hundreds of sashes, though that is by far the worst.

Ain't takin' kindly to UV rays, I suspect.

R-value?  Should one really care with a crap product like that?

Edited April 5, 2023 by Jerry Simon

[Tom Raymond]

It's a desiccant strip. It's there to absorb water vapor trapped at assembly. It appears completely desiccated.

While largely cosmetic, some of the better manufacturers will warranty it.

[Jerry Simon]

1 hour ago, Tom Raymond said:

While largely cosmetic, some of the better manufacturers will warranty it.

That may be true, but I've never seen such in a *quality* window.