How To Reduce Condensation
Unless you live in a building without windows, you’ll have to deal with condensation sooner or later. It’s an issue that never fully goes away, and no matter how hard you try, it seems impossible to get rid of moisture forming on your windows. At Fastframe, we’ve had multiple enquiries about the best ways to deal with condensation. The bad news is that condensation-proof windows haven’t been invented yet, but the good news is that there are ways to reduce the problem.
If you’re working on a new building project and want to limit future condensation, or if you’re a homeowner looking for tips, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a short guide on what you can do. Read on to find out more.
Explaining Condensation
To start, it’s worth knowing how condensation forms in the first place. In the simplest possible terms, it’s caused by differences in air temperature. When the inside of your home is warmer than the outside, it leads to moisture in the air forming water droplets on your windows. It’s common in winter when the temperature disparity is more significant but can happen at any time of the year.
Condensation is very likely to occur on single-glazed windows, but we still see it on double or even triple-glazed ones. Glazing technology has come on leaps and bounds and the days of waking up on a cold January to find frost inside the house are over, but condensation is still a problem.
Why It’s A Problem
This might not seem like the biggest concern, but if left unchecked, condensation can cause more trouble than you expect. Mould flourishes in high-moisture environments, and can lead to health problems if you breathe the spores in. It can also contribute to rot, especially in timber windows and blackened frames. Damp patches can form on the wallpaper and spread to your soft furnishings. Over time, all the extra moisture can result in surprisingly large repair bills.
How To Tackle Condensation
As we said earlier, it’s not yet possible to eliminate condensation. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate it. You can reduce the long-term effects in several ways:
Improve The Airflow
Improving the airflow around your home will do wonders for reducing condensation. A good air exchange means that warmer air is replaced with colder air, and as warmer air tends to have higher humidity, this will stop your windows from misting up so much. You can increase the airflow by installing trickle vents or simply opening your windows more often. Extractor fans are great too, but make sure they’re placed away from the windows. Otherwise, they’ll suck in the incoming air first and it’ll be counterproductive.
Reduce Humidity
This is linked to the previous point, but try reducing the humidity in your home. If you’re cooking something on the hob or running a hot shower, make sure your extractor fans are turned on and the room is well-ventilated. It’ll help the steam to escape and stop it from condensing on your windows later. If possible, try to avoid drying wet clothes on your radiators as well. We understand that it’s less expensive than putting them in a tumble dryer, but it’ll lead to more water vapour in your house.
Regular Cleaning
This is going to sound patronising but wiping your windows will cut down the potential for water damage. If you wake up on a cold morning and discover your conservatory is full of condensation, just grab a cloth and dry your windows. Leave a couple open and it’ll reduce the chance of any mould taking root while you’re at work. Sometimes the most obvious solutions are very effective.
Upgrade Your Windows
Finally, we can’t overlook the importance of the windows themselves. The majority of UK homes are now fitted with double-glazed windows, but there are still plenty of single-glazed ones out there in need of an upgrade. The gap between the panes means double glazing is less prone to condensation so if you haven’t got rid of your single-glazed windows yet, now is the time to do it.
Additionally, modern windows are less likely to suffer from water damage. Timber frames might be eye-catching and have a certain rustic charm, but they’re also vulnerable to moisture. UPVC and aluminium are more waterproof and their surfaces are impermeable. This means that even if the condensation persists, you’ll have lower repair or replacement costs. After all, aluminium and UPVC windows don’t rot.
Follow all these tips and you can help your customers deal with their condensation problems. Here at Fastframe, we supply modern windows and doors that are specifically designed to be as efficient as possible. Explore our website to see the full range of Deceuninck products we offer, or contact our team to find out more. We can’t wait to hear from you.