What is Window Condensation?

window condensation solutionsWhat are window condensation solutions?   Condensation on windows is a problem in many households. Moisture in the air within the home is often the culprit. To prevent condensation on windows, you’ll have to be proactive in stopping the accumulation of moisture in your home. And your condensation problems also result from widespread use of several labor saving appliances that make life easier than it used to be.  The installation of new windows can significantly decrease window condensation because they can help keep your windows warm.    The insulation and construction materials used today are designed to keep cold air outside. This is especially true of new windows. While energy efficient designs and weather stripping keep cold air outside, they also keep warm moist air inside. Older window designs were less efficient, and consequently allowed moisture to escape.

How To Reduce Humidity

David Bareuther, Associated Press Building editor, sums up the problem of reducing humidity by saying there are only three ways to reduce humidity:

What is Humidity?

Humidity, water vapor, moisture, steam, they’re all the same. They are all one form of water. Humidity is an invisible gas; it is present in varying quantities in nearly all air. THIS MOISTURE IN WET AIR TRIES TO FLOW TOWARD DRIER AIR AND MIX WITH IT. Scientists describe this force as “vapor pressure,” it is often a very powerful force. It can act independently of the flow of the air which holds the moisture. Vapor pressure can force moisture easily through wood, plaster, brick, cement, and right through most of the materials we use to build our homes. That is exactly what happens when moisture seeks to escape from the humid air usually found inside your home to the drier winter air outside.

Atlanta Window Condensation

Atlanta Window Condensation

Window Condensations Solutions for Homeowners

Most everyday activities produce water vapor. A five minute shower releases about 1⁄2 pint of water vapor, cooking dinner on a gas stove can produce 21⁄2 pints of water vapor and the breathing and perspiration of a family of four can produce approximately 1⁄2 pint per hour.  Although it’s an uphill battle, there are a few things you can do to help control moisture levels in your home.      Air out your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room during or just after use. Because outside air usually contains less water vapor, it will “dilute” the humidity of inside air. This takes place automatically in older houses through constant infiltration of outside air.

But, in practice, window condensation and reducing humidity may become very complicated. Two or more entirely different conditions may affect the way the condensation problem works out in different homes. Here are a few examples:

  • The number and type of windows in the home
  • The type of double glazing system on the windows
  • The heating system – hot air or water heating; perimeter or interior wall heating
  • The type of insulation and vapor barrier
  • Even the type of soil quality of drainage

Remember that windows do not cause condensation: they simply prevent the moisture from escaping to the outside and serve as a highly visible surface where condensation can be easily noticed.  When outside condensation occurs in window replacement this does not mean your insulating glass unit is defective. In fact, it shows that the unit is doing its job—insulating the building from the environment.

Call Jeff today for your window condensation needs.  770-318-8514