Do gas-filled windows block wireless signal?

[Don Phillipson]

Wireless broadband was always marginal here (at least one
mile from the tower, with trees in the line of sight ) and became
impossible the day the windows were replaced with modern
"Energy Star" units, double-pane sealed units filled with gas
(either argon or krypton, I forget which.) I could not be sure of
the cause, but managed to reach an ISP engineer. One of his
suggestions was to try the directional wireless modem at an open
window, i.e. no glass -- which immediately provided a satisfactory
signal. I have instructions for various tests thus will quantify the
difference if I can.

The engineer said he had never heard of either window structure
(aluminum here with steel magnets that hold the fly screens in place)
or gas-filled sealed panes obstructing wireless signals. Has anyone else?

[John Navas]

Post by Don Phillipson
Wireless broadband was always marginal here (at least one
mile from the tower, with trees in the line of sight ) and became
impossible the day the windows were replaced with modern
"Energy Star" units, double-pane sealed units filled with gas
(either argon or krypton, I forget which.) I could not be sure of
the cause, but managed to reach an ISP engineer. One of his
suggestions was to try the directional wireless modem at an open
window, i.e. no glass -- which immediately provided a satisfactory
signal. I have instructions for various tests thus will quantify the
difference if I can.
The engineer said he had never heard of either window structure
(aluminum here with steel magnets that hold the fly screens in place)
or gas-filled sealed panes obstructing wireless signals. Has anyone else?

The likely cause is window coating, which typically metal film.

[George]

Post by Don Phillipson
Wireless broadband was always marginal here (at least one
mile from the tower, with trees in the line of sight ) and became
impossible the day the windows were replaced with modern
"Energy Star" units, double-pane sealed units filled with gas
(either argon or krypton, I forget which.) I could not be sure of
the cause, but managed to reach an ISP engineer. One of his
suggestions was to try the directional wireless modem at an open
window, i.e. no glass -- which immediately provided a satisfactory
signal. I have instructions for various tests thus will quantify the
difference if I can.
The engineer said he had never heard of either window structure
(aluminum here with steel magnets that hold the fly screens in place)
or gas-filled sealed panes obstructing wireless signals. Has anyone else?

If the windows were touted as "low e" you found your problem. Various
metal oxide coatings are either in the glass or coating the glass to
lower the emissivity. Metal is also great for shielding RF.

[DanS]

Post by Don Phillipson
Wireless broadband was always marginal here (at least one
mile from the tower, with trees in the line of sight ) and
became impossible the day the windows were replaced with
modern "Energy Star" units, double-pane sealed units filled
with gas (either argon or krypton, I forget which.) I
could not be sure of the cause, but managed to reach an ISP
engineer. One of his suggestions was to try the
directional wireless modem at an open window, i.e. no glass
-- which immediately provided a satisfactory signal. I
have instructions for various tests thus will quantify the
difference if I can.
The engineer said he had never heard of either window
structure (aluminum here with steel magnets that hold the
fly screens in place) or gas-filled sealed panes
obstructing wireless signals. Has anyone else?

Yes, that is what I told you the other day.

The engineer needs to get up to speed.

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:11:23 -0400, "Don Phillipson"

Post by Don Phillipson
The engineer said he had never heard of either window structure
(aluminum here with steel magnets that hold the fly screens in place)
or gas-filled sealed panes obstructing wireless signals. Has anyone else?

The glass probably has a low-emissivity TiN (Titanium Nitride)
coating. That's about 35 ohms per square sheet resistance, which is
as good as a dead short at RF frequencies.
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/Low-E-titanium-nitide-glass.pdf>
(422 KBytes) Although the tests did not extend to RF frequencies, a
look at Fig 4 shows that TiN transmission is totally blocked (<5%) at
wavelengths longer than 3000nm.

Is the fly screen made of aluminum or fiberglass?

You might try the same test (open/closed window) with a cell phone.
You'll probably see the same drop in signal level.

[unknown]

Interesting, what else blocks wifi signals?
I know microwaves seem to interfere with the wifi but what else??????

[atec77]

Post by unknown
Interesting, what else blocks wifi signals?
I know microwaves seem to interfere with the wifi but what else??????

Metal film like solar shield does , anything with metallic content will
or you can defeat the signal with pure bulk

[unknown]

Interesting atec77, Conversely is there any way that you can make the
signal better.
I have heard a few methods but nothing concrete.

[atec77]

Post by unknown
Interesting atec77, Conversely is there any way that you can make the
signal better.
I have heard a few methods but nothing concrete.

You need to be specific as to your needs