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envirovent.com - 14 Ways To Help Reduce Condensation In Your Property

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Condensation inside double glazing

Excessive humidity is the cause of most window condensation. As the outside temperature drops, the window glass temperature also drops. When moist air comes in contact with the cold glass pane, the moisture condenses and forms water droplets. You often see condensation in double glazed windows because the surface temperature of the window is cooler than the air inside the room. If the sealant around the double glazing has failed, then the warm air is susceptible to entering the gap between the glass panes. Windows are a key condensation culprit: condensation around windows can be hard to keep on top of especially when raining as rain will inevitably leave water marks on windows. The best way to keep on top of condensation around windows is to be on the look out for any damage to the sealant around the windows as this will allow water in. Try to wipe down windowsills to ensure no excess moisture enters your property's air and open windows as often as possible to allow air to circulate. Rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are optimum environments for condensation, as bathrooms are usually wet, damp and moist. Showering and bathing inevitably cause water droplets to form on walls and windows and if not properly ventilated and dried quickly, linger, and cause excess moisture to form. The warmth from the steam also keeps the condensation, which you can mostly see on bathroom windows. It is difficult to keep on top of condensation in bathrooms as the biggest prevention is ventilation which is something that can be hard to create and maintain in bathrooms and kitchens. Condensation on bedroom windows maybe noticed last, especially if it is a room not used very often. Signs to look out for with condensation around bedroom windows are water on the windowsill, damage to window frames and it is also important that you don't ignore black mould on soft furnishings like curtains or cushions.

Interior window condensation is caused by excessive moisture in the house, and it often occurs in the winter when the warm air inside the house condenses on the cold windows. Condensation between windowpanes occurs when the seal between the panes is broken or when the desiccant inside the windows is saturated. Exterior window condensation is simply dew and occurs when the window is colder than the dew point. However, can you get condensation on double glazed windows?

While condensation can be worse on single glazed windows (due to the internal surface of the window being much colder than the internal surface of a double-glazed window) replacing single glazed windows with double glazing is not enough to eliminate the problem. The reason being is that although the inside of your new windows will be warmer, they will simultaneously eliminate draughts. This will reduce ventilation and contribute to the build-up of moisture.

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Whilst this does not happen often, condensation can form on the outside pane of a double-glazed window. When it does, it is usually because the unit is performing well and very thermally efficient. It is not an indication that there is anything wrong. The reason it happens is because the external air is warmer than the temperature of the glazed pane’s surface – and the dew point of the air is higher. It is more likely to occur at night or early in the morning when temperatures are low, particularly if there is a clear sky and almost no wind. Although it can be a pain to have limited visibility until the condensation on the outside pane clears, it’s a good sign that your windows are extremely energy efficient and constructed using low-emissive glass. If you do want to eradicate the issue, there are a few simple steps you can take. The first is to allow more air and wind to flow past your windows, as this will reduce the chances of this condensation forming. To prevent the window’s surface area from cooling to the point where condensation forms, you could consider creating more areas of shading as this can help to retain warmth. Positioning tall trees, shrubs, plants, or some form of shelter may help you do this.

Could the double glazing be faulty?

Condensation within double glazing typically suggests that there is a problem with the sealed unit of the windows. This means that a point in the edge seal of the window has failed and is allowing moisture to enter in the form of condensation. This form of moisture/condensation in double glazing is often the sign that the sealant between the glass and frame will have to be renewed. Your new windows are most likely showing condensation more than your old ones because they are more airtight – less air is entering your home from the outside. Warm air rises, and since humidity is attracted to cooler air, condensation will often show near the bottom of the glass. On older or poorer quality units, the sealant used to create the seal (around the windows) may be of a low grade or become loose over time. If the seal and bead that’s supposed to hold the glass in the frame deteriorates, moisture and water can get into the frame. Allowing large amounts of water to settle in the frame like this for a long period of time will eventually affect the ‘air gap’ seal surrounding the two panes of glass.

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Sometimes, the uPVC frames themselves will crack and allow water to gather. Another reason why you may see condensation in double glazing is because of a fault with the ‘spacer’ bar. Most double-glazed windows now feature a ‘spacer’ in between the two panes of glass, and this is full of desiccant, a highly absorptive material which sucks up any moisture in the ‘air gap’ void. In fact, you're as likely to get condensation on new windows as old windows, and new windows may even increase condensation, since they should reduce draughts in the home. That said, condensation on the inside of windows is something we should try to reduce, since it can damage window frames. If there is even the slightest imperfection in the seal, this desiccant can quickly become saturated by any moist air or water which enters. When it cannot retain any more, the moisture then begins to appear as condensation. In reality, the issue could have been there for quite some time but has only become apparent because the desiccant is no longer doing its job. If you have condensation in double glazing, then it is a sign that the sealant has failed, and this usually means that it will have to be replaced or sealed. If the windows are dated, then replacing the whole unit can be recommended so that the same problem does not occur again.

envirovent.com - 14 Ways To Help Reduce Condensation In Your Property

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