Window condensation can be annoying: it blocks your view of the outdoors and hinders the overall look of your home. What is it that causes this unwanted look on your windows? Many jump to the conclusion that your windows are the problem. Not always.
Typically, excess humidity in your home can cause condensation on windows. Humidity (which is simply water vapor mixed with air) is drawn to the coolest surfaces in your home—your windows. Cool air can’t hold moisture like warm air, so windows collect the moisture and make it visible. When a window surface is colder than room temperature, condensation will likely show up. If you’re facing issues like these, it may be time to call the professionals at Kelly Window & Door.
Causes of Condensation on Windows
When spotting condensation, look at where it is located, and where it came from in order to remedy it properly. Moisture inside your home can be caused by a lot of different things: cooking, showering, running your dishwasher, and clothes dryers that aren’t vented properly. Some humidity in your home provides comfort, but excessive condensation should prompt you to take action to prevent moisture problems like mold, mildew, wood decay, and even structural damage.
When Condensation Occurs between Window Panes
You may have a window seal failure if you have condensation between your window panes. Contact your window contractor and find out if your warranty is still intact. If it is, the warranty should cover a seal failure.
Condensation between window panes can be concerning. It usually forms in the winter, particularly when you begin heating your home. When outdoor temperatures decrease, the inside surface gets cooler. Condensation forms at lower relative humidity on cold winter days. In fact, the colder the outside air, the more probable it is that condensation will appear.
When Condensation Is Temporary
Condensation on windows is typically temporary if it comes from the following: showers or baths, cooking, laundry, or your dishwasher. If the condensation occurs at the beginning of each winter when you turn the heat on, it’s temporary. Most homes absorb moisture during humid summertime, and it dries out after a week or two of heating your home each winter.
Condensation can show up when there are abrupt temperature changes. When a home is remodeled, or completely new, the building materials may cause condensation because they have a good bit of moisture in them. When you turn your heat on, moisture flows into the air in your home. This usually only happens for one winter, and then it stops.
When Condensation Causes Problems
Too much moisture in your home will cause problems over time. You need some quick solutions to avoid costly problems if you answer yes to the following:
- Does condensation stay on your windows during the day even when outdoor temperatures are warm?
- Is the condensation in your home running down your walls?
- Is condensation causing discoloration, staining, peeling wallpaper or blistering paint inside your home?
- Does the air inside your home smell musty?
- Does your home interior have mold or mildew? This can cause health problems and needs to be dealt with promptly. Some people even have allergic reactions to molds and fungi.
- Is there wood rot or visible decay inside your home? That’s a sign of too much moisture in your home and needs to be resolved.
How Climate Impacts Indoor Condensation
When a region’s average temperature for January is 35º F or cooler, condensation will be more common. The larger the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures, the more probable moisture will appear on your windows.
How Window Styles Impact Condensation
With bay, bow, and garden windows, condensation is more likely to show up because they don’t open often, so circulation is limited. Because they protrude from your home, they are usually a few degrees colder, and therefore condensation is more likely to appear on them.
3 Ways to Reduce Condensation on Your Windows
1. Increase Air Temperature in Your Home
When you raise the temperature in your home, you’ll see less condensation on your windows. If you have a bay, bow, or garden window, keep the window area warmer by insulating under the window seat and over the windows themselves. Use a fan to increase circulation near your windows. Point warm air vents toward your windows.
2. Boost Your Home’s Ventilation
If you simply open your windows for a few minutes daily, especially after running the shower, laundry or cooking, you’ll reduce condensation in your home. If you run the ceiling fans more often in your kitchen, bathroom, and throughout your home, condensation will decrease. If you simply open your blinds and curtains each day, warm air will make its way to your windows more readily and help decrease condensation.
3. Decrease Moisture Sources in Your Home
If you want to decrease condensation in your home, stop using a humidifier or only use it if it’s absolutely needed. Avoid aquariums in your home, and limit the number of plants in your house. Don’t air dry your laundry inside your dwelling.
The Value of Replacement Windows
Replacement windows beautify your home, improve indoor comfort, and give you energy savings throughout the year. They offer gorgeous views of the outdoors and increase your home value. Replacement windows give you a great return on your investment (ROI), making them a wise upgrade.
Why Homeowners Choose Kelly Window and Door for Replacement Window Installation
We understand the frustration old windows can cause. That’s why for 27 Years our caring team of certified professionals has provided homeowners with over 4,000 successful installations using premium products. Our precision installation protects your warranty, giving you peace of mind in your investment.
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