What Causes Condensation On Windows

Condensation on windows – causes and cures

9th October 2019 | Tim

From fourth dimension to time, and during certain months of the year, we receive emails and calls from customers who are concerned about condensation on their windows. In this commodity we await at the causes and cures for condensation.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process of a gas or vapour changing into a liquid. This happens when the temperature of the gas or vapour falls below its 'dew betoken'. Morn dew on the grass is caused by this – on cold nights the footing radiates oestrus skywards and, every bit a result, the temperature of the ground drops beneath the air temperature, causing water vapour to condensate on information technology as dew.

This is why you can see your jiff in cold weather – the water vapour in the air you breathe out is at a higher temperature than the air yous're breathing into, and then information technology condensates and becomes mist-similar.

The higher the air temperature the more water vapour it tin can concur (which is why hot countries tend to be more boiling).

What causes condensation on windows?

When the colder weather arrives we all enjoy retreating to our cosy, insulated, central-heated homes. These modern comforts may help to keep out the common cold, but they are the principal crusade of condensation on your windows.

How condensation forms

Condensation forms when water vapour inside your dwelling is unable to escape. The amount of h2o vapour builds upwardly in the air and, when it can hold no more than, it liquifies on a colder surface (usually your windows). This starts off looking similar a mist on the windows but, if immune to continue, it will eventually form droplets of water.

Every time you boil a kettle, accept a shower, use your tumble dryer, water your houseplants or even exhale out, more water vapour is added to the atmosphere in your home.

Modern homes are so well insulated and energy-efficient, our rooms are warmer with less ventilation. In times gone by draughtier homes had far fewer condensation issues as the air was constantly moving and water vapour could escape up chimneys, through gaps in window frames or under doors.

External condensation

Condensation doesn't just happen on internal surfaces. With the latest glazing technologies we have achieved amazing insulation for our homes, just this can atomic number 82 to external condensation. Because the outer pane of drinking glass is never heated, in cold, fresh leap or autumn days external condensation can get together due to a combination of boiling air weather and the drinking glass having a temperature below the dew point.

Why is window condensation a problem?

While the immediate effect of condensation (misty windows) could be considered but a nuisance, it can pb to more serious problems if information technology isn't dealt with apace:

Mould

In whatever areas of untreated clammy acquired past condensation, black mould can abound. As well as being unsightly and dissentious the surfaces it forms on, information technology can besides become a health chance.

According to the NHS, "if yous have damp and mould in your home you're more than likely to have respiratory bug, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system." Farther information from the NHS.

Impairment to walls

Damp patches can appear on walls around the affected window. As well every bit condign a breeding ground for mould, this tin can discolour paint and cause wallpaper to pare.

Left untreated this damp tin can seep through to the plasterwork and cause information technology to disintegrate.

Damage to soft furnishings

Curtains and other soft furnishings tin also be damaged by the damp caused by condensation. They can become mouldy and take on the musty odour of the room.

External condensation

Fortunately, external condensation on your windows is very unlikely to cause impairment as it is dried off by warmth and/or air period during the solar day. Therefore, neither the windows nor the surrounding expanse stays damp long plenty to cause any problems.

Are some windows more prone to condensation than others?

The design of windows and conservatory/orangery glazing is constantly evolving to create more and more energy-efficient solutions. This non but keeps your home warm, but it saves on your heating bills and reduces your carbon footprint. However, this doesn't necessarily end condensation.

Single glazed windows

Single glazed windows are the biggest cause of internal condensation. As there is only one pane of glass it doesn't warm upwardly with the room temperature and will instead be most as cold equally it is exterior.

Less energy efficient double glazing

Ironically, double glazing which isn't synthetic to the most energy saving specification is less likely to upshot in condensation.

The internal pane of drinking glass will exist warmed by the estrus of the room, therefore won't provide such a cold surface for the h2o vapour to accumulate on. The less effective insulation values mean that the external pane of glass will as well be slightly heated by the warmth escaping, and so external condensation is besides less likely.

However, the trade-off is a colder home or higher heating bills.

Energy-efficient double or triple glazing

The almost sophisticated free energy-efficient glass is the biggest culprit when it comes to external condensation.

While the internal pane of glass will warm up with the room, thereby minimising internal condensation, none of this warmth will reach the outer pane of glass.

This means that it will be colder and more than prone to external condensation when the outside humidity levels are high and/or the temperatures are particularly common cold.

How to stop condensation on windows

It's of import to forestall internal condensation and deal with whatsoever existing bug as quickly as possible. But this doesn't mean sacrificing the snugness of your home.

There are a few ways in which you tin reduce condensation, but the main matter to recall is MORE VENTILATION = LESS CONDENSATION!

Internal condensation

This is generally caused past the room non being double or triple glazed, not being sufficiently heated and/or being shut up and then the air doesn't move around enough. The consequence is as well much h2o vapour in the room and windows which are cold plenty to concenter information technology.

Keep rooms well ventilated

The obvious way to do this is to open up the windows a little or use a trickle vent if ane is fitted. Endeavour to open a window in each room every mean solar day to movement the air around.

If the room was originally constructed with a fireplace, but this has since been blocked up, check that adequate ventilation has been installed, which normally means wall vents or air bricks.

Pay close attending to the ventilation in rooms where steam is produced, ensuring that bathrooms are fitted with extractor fans where possible. In kitchens, use extractor hoods or cooktop extractors to deal with steam from cooking, particularly if you're in an open plan room, every bit you don't want the moisture to travel and settle in living areas.

Afterward a shower or bathroom close the bath door and open up the window to allow the moist air to escape outside, non into the residue of your home.

Try to dry clothes outside when possible to avoid hanging them in the house and causing more moisture to form in the air.

If necessary, a dehumidifier tin aid to remove wet from the air, though this isn't every bit effective every bit good ventilation. Y'all might notice a dehumidifier of particular use in a conservatory or orangery over winter.

Replace single glazing with double glazing

Unmarried glazed windows will inevitably crusade condensation over the colder months as the glass cannot warm up. Replacing unmarried glazing with double or triple glazing will give the window an internal layer of glass, insulated from the temperatures outside, which can warm up with your room and reduce condensation. This will too assistance to proceed the room warmer, enabling the air to agree onto more wet.

Keep your home warm

Slightly increasing the temperature in your home will aid the air retain water rather than allowing it to condensate. You still need to ventilate the rooms well, which will allow the water vapour to escape.

Installing radiators nether your windows can also be useful as it will assist to keep the inner pane of glass warm and prevent h2o vapour condensating on information technology. The same applies to heated towel rails in bathrooms.

Don't forget unoccupied rooms

Condensation can become a large issue in rooms you don't use very frequently if you plow the heating off in that room and shut the door. Water vapour has nowhere to go and the glass is beingness kept cold, so condensation will inevitably occur. And, considering y'all're non going in at that place regularly, information technology tin cause damage earlier you lot've even realised it'due south happening.

Consider keeping the heating on in that room, perhaps installing thermostatic radiator valves so you tin control the temperature separately to the rest of the house. You should also ensure that the room is well ventilated, perhaps by keeping the windows open up a little or installing a dehumidifier.

External condensation

There is little you lot can do to forestall external condensation. Y'all volition probably find that information technology's worse on some windows than others considering of the aspect of that window and/or how sheltered it is. It's likewise likely to exist a bigger problem near to rivers or lakes where the humidity will be naturally higher.

You should observe that external condensation only lasts for a few hours in the morning before the warmth of the lord's day or air movement from the wind dries it.

For conservatories, yous can significantly reduce external condensation by using specialist drinking glass, such as Pilkington's Activ^TM self-cleaning drinking glass. This has a hydrophilic blanket that repels water, minimising the furnishings of condensation.

Condensation between window panes

In standard double or triple glazing this should not occur every bit the unit should be hermetically sealed to prevent any water vapour getting in.

So, if you practise have condensation betwixt your window panes, this is a sign that the seal has failed and the unit should exist replaced.

If you have secondary glazing installed alongside single glazed windows, the unit will not be hermetically sealed, and therefore some condensation in the crenel may occur.

More help with condensation

If you are repeatedly finding problems with condensation despite ventilating and heating your room well, we'd exist happy to help investigate possible causes and discuss options for remedying the problem.

Pop into our showroom for a chat or call united states on 01444 45 71 45 to speak to i of our experts.

What Causes Condensation On Windows,

Source: https://www.windowwise.co.uk/condensation-on-windows-causes-and-cures/

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