Window condensation can be one of the worst enemies of your home during the winter months. Where there’s smoke, there’s certainly fire – but where there’s condensation, there’s also bound to be problems like mildew, mold, dust particles, allergens, and excess moisture making their way into your house. While there are still many people who might not realize this, home window condensation can be a huge problem in winter. Issues like allergies or mold in the home can be triggered or worsened by the presence of condensation on window glass from the outside.
Home Window Condensation in the Winter
How does condensation happen – and what can you do to prevent condensation? Read more for some essential home techniques to keep interior window condensation on your home windows to a minimum this winter.
How Condensation Happens
Condensation is a natural process, but it can be an inconvenient one for anyone on the inside. The process of condensation starts when there’s a considerable difference in temperature and moisture between the inside and outside. Window condensation can happen during any season, even in the summer months but due to environmental changes, it can be more of a common problem in winter.
Here is an example. When you place a cold soda down in a warmer room and drops start to collect on the outside of the bottle, that’s an example of condensation put into effect.
Using a simple pedestal fan or ceiling fan can keep air circulating. This is helpful in keeping humid air and excessive moisture away.
Why Worry About Home Window Condensation?
Condensation doesn’t really look like much, so why is it worth worrying about?
Droplets indicate variation in moisture in the air. Moist air can be a trigger for allergies, respiratory conditions like asthma, and various types of mold or mildew. Where this moisture variation is present, it can even affect other things in the room – for example, paper and fabric can collect water droplets and start to feel “wet” to the touch.
A change in dew point causes moisture to condense on cool or cold surfaces. In some cases causing water damage.
While condensation itself doesn’t seem like a big deal, the things associated with it can be. Even when driving, condensation can get in the way of a driver’s sight. This is much more common in the winter months as well.
How to Prevent Home Window Condensation
1. Window Chemical Solutions
Different chemical solutions are available which can take care of condensation forming on the inside of windows. Just spray the chemical solution and condensation will be much less likely to form on your windows. It’s readily available, and most brands and types are nontoxic.
In an emergency, use deodorant spray and dry cloth. Solutions containing alcohol and water can also reduce moisture from forming on your windows.
2. The Simple Cloth Solution
Always keep a dry, clean cloth close to the windows. Giving windows a wipe can remove some of the excess water vapor that has already formed.
The cloth should be regularly replaced to stop any mold or mildew from becoming a problem. Watch for the collection of condensation in window frames, especially wooden ones.
3. The Dehumidifier Solution
Excess humidity in your home is one of the main causes of condensation. For example, in bathrooms and kitchens where someone is taking a hot shower, or water is boiling, humid indoor air causes vapor on windows and walls.
A simple dehumidifier in every room can stop condensation from forming on your windows. Humidifiers come in various sizes to fit your needs. Heavy-duty dehumidifiers are available (or use several smaller ones to achieve the same purpose) if you notice that a dehumidifier isn’t enough to cover the square footage of a larger room.
Dehumidifiers are cheap and easy to find online and in-store. If you have issues with condensation or high humidity levels in your home, dehumidifiers, and exhaust fans are a great way to solve the problem.
4. The Window Replacement Solution
There are many environments where condensation is a problem for longer parts of the year (or just severe during some). If this describes your home, then it might be time to consider window replacement solutions instead. Many building materials can be added to windows to make condensation less likely, depending on your budget.
Speak to a window expert about the benefits of energy-efficient window technology if you think that it could be a better long-term solution.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha
At Discount Window and Door of Omaha, we are committed to providing the best quality doors and replacement windows. We employ the most skilled installers to ensure the highest standard of quality service. Our Omaha door and window installers are highly trained, certified industry professionals with years of experience, including some second and third-generation employees.