The seasons change, and with that comes fluctuating temperatures. You’re keeping your home climate controlled, but as you pride yourself on keeping your family comfortable, you notice condensation forming on your windows. At first, you don’t think much of it, but deep down you know that condensation has something to do with a reaction to different temperatures coming together. Over time, when you continue to see your windows covered in water droplets, you may wonder if this is normal. When should you be concerned about condensation on your windows?
Where you find the window condensation can indicate if you have normal condensation or a bigger problem.
Interior Glass: Condensation on the inside of your windows usually happens when warm air from your home comes into contact with cold glass. When the warm air cools on the glass, it will become water droplets. Interior condensation usually happens during the colder months, when the air outside is cold and dry and the inside of your home is warm and humid.
Exterior Glass: This is the reverse of what you can expect from interior glass condensation. A home with the AC running creates cool glass on the inside, and the warm and humid air outside will form water droplets as it comes into contact with your windows.
Between the Glass: Nearly all homes have double paned windows – two panes of glass with an inert gas, such as argon, between them. If you notice condensation forming between the panes of glass, this means that there is an issue with your window seal.
Some condensation is normal. In fact, occasional condensation can indicate that your windows are actually working effectively to keep the cold air out and the warm air in, or vice versa. The condensation caused by the cold glass from outside meeting the warm air of your home can prove that your windows are keeping air from escaping. However, there are two situations where condensation is a problem.
The first is when the condensation is forming between the two panes of a double pane window. In this case, the condensation indicates that the seal has broken down and either the seals or windows will need to be replaced, depending on the level of damage to the seal.
Persistent fogging, especially when temperatures are not extreme, can be another indication that the condensation you have in your windows is not normal. Again, this is usually due to a failure in the seal of your windows. A good first step is to replace the seals and weather stripping, but if that doesn’t improve things, you will likely need to talk to a window contractor about installing efficient replacement windows.
If some window condensation is normal, why do you need to address it? The biggest reason to pay attention to condensation and fogging is because water – even a minimal amount of water from condensation – can cause damage to the structure of your home.
Persistent moisture can result in mold growth, mildew, and wood rot in the area around your windows. Mold, particularly for families with allergies, can cause serious health concerns if it’s allowed to grow and flourish due to neglect, and remediating a mold problem can be very expensive if it’s ignored.
Mildew and wood rot, while less concerning from a health standpoint, can cause significant structural damage. If moisture is allowed to remain around your windows it will begin to slowly eat away at the frame. The window will continue to degrade, and when you replace it, it may cost much more due to damage. Essentially, whenever consistent water is a problem, even if it’s just condensation, it requires prompt attention before it’s able to get worse.
There are many benefits to replacing your old windows. New windows improve performance, energy efficiency, and can eliminate chronic issues from poor seals or weather stripping. Most homeowners who replace their windows notice an immediate difference in the comfort of their homes. Windows generally last for fifteen to thirty years so if your windows are reaching that age and you’re noticing problems, it’s a good idea to have a window contractor come out to give you an estimate.
Window replacement is an investment, so you want to make sure you balance your budget with the need to improve window performance. In general, if you are noticing persistent condensation, especially between the panels of glass, feel a draft when you walk by the windows, or have any concerns about moisture damage, replacement is probably the smart choice to keep your home safe, healthy, and well-insulated.
While some condensation can be normal, if you are noticing it more and more, it may be time to look into the cause and whether or not it’s time to replace your windows to avoid more problems. Quality windows not only make a big difference in the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, but will also make sure that your home isn’t vulnerable to mold, mildew, or wood rot, which are all far more expensive problems to address. If you are concerned about your windows, look for a local window replacement contractor you can trust. Talk to friends and neighbors about finding a contractor who isn’t focused on sales, but on making sure that your home is well protected with windows that fit your needs and budget. To learn more about how we can help guide you through the process of replacing your windows, or to schedule an estimate, contact All-Nu Construction today.