Whether it’s at home, on the car, in the office or in the bathroom, you’ll definitely have noticed condensation on the glass surfaces around you. What may seem harmless and easily wiped away can quickly become problematic if severe and left untreated.
Firstly, what causes window condensation?
When the temperature on one side of the glass is warm and the other side is cool, the air molecules from the warmer side hit the glass and instantly cool down, reverting back into water molecules. Droplets form and this is known as condensation.
If you need some hard data, research from the University of Florida found that, over the last 30 years, energy-efficient windows reduced energy impacts by 774 Gigawatt hours. That’s the equivalent of reducing carbon emissions by 547 million metric tons, or one-year equivalent of electricity use by 70 million households, or taking 118 million cars off the road.
Why is Condensation an Issue?
The actual glass condensation itself isn’t necessary the problem here. It could simply indicate there is a lot of warmth in the room, it’s cold outside, and that the windows have formed an airtight seal, inhibiting them from “breathing” and creating adequate airflow to let the moisture out, causing a minor glass condensation case.
If a simple cloth wipe down doesn’t sort the issue for long, it could be that you have a severe window condensation problem, and yes, this can lead to many issues.
A build-up of condensation can see moisture seeping into window frames and walls, leading to paint bubbling and cracking. If left further still, the moisture can leak onto the floor, warping skirting or floorboards.
Any condensation that makes its way into walls can cause mould (aka the dreaded “rising damp”. Not only is this difficult to get out once it spreads, but the mould can lead to health and respiratory problems – no thanks!
How to prevent window condensation
We mostly notice condensation on windows or mirrors in the bathroom, shower and kitchen. But if you’ve ever experienced moisture on your bedroom or lounge windows, you may have wondered why you don’t notice this in other peoples’ homes, or your office, even.
The reason why others may not experience condensation on their windows like you do could be due to several factors. These factors can range from air circulation to the types of windows installed.
If you want to find out how to prevent window condensation, try our top 4 tips:
- Increase air circulation – Whether opening a door or window, blinds or turning on a ceiling or pedestal fans, encouraging air flow is a simple trick.
- Check exhaust fans -Check your exhaust fans in the bathroom, laundry or kitchen, as they can become clogged with dust, dirt, grease and grime over time, so their effectivity is compromised. Also be sure thought that your fans are actually vented externally. If your exhaust fan is simply vented into your roof space, then condensation and mould could still be building up – elsewhere!
- Purchase moisture absorbing products – Available at hardware stores and some supermarkets, these should be considered a short-term solution as they can get costly due to regular replacing
- Install double-glazed windows – Because double glazed windows are constructed from two panes of glass with an air pocket sealed inside, temperature flow and extremities are reduced, and condensation is less likely to occur.
However, if you already have double glazing and you notice condensation on the inside of the two panes, there could be a seal failure issue which needs tending to.