Understanding Condensation on your Windows
Condensation
Condensation, on the interior or exterior of a window or glass door, is a natural phenomenon. In almost all cases, condensation is caused by factors that have nothing to do with a defect in your window or door unit.
Common situations that can cause temporary window condensation:
- Construction or remodeling
- Building materials such as wood, plaster, concrete, and paint produce a great deal of moisture. As these materials “stabilize,” they release less moisture into the air.
- Changing seasons
- Your house absorbs moisture throughout each humid summer. The first few weeks of heating your home at the beginning of a cold season may cause temporary window condensation. This moisture will dry out after a few weeks, and you should have less condensation.
- Quick Changes in Temperature. Sharp drops in temperature can create temporary condensation during the heating season.
Interior condensation occurs when the indoor humidity level is high and there is a cool enough surface present. As the outside temperature drops, the window/door glass can become cool enough to begin cooling the indoor air. Since cooler air cannot hold as much water vapor as warmer air, the warm saturated air inside your home will reach the cold surface of your window or door and will release its excess water vapor in the form of condensation. The lower the outdoor temperature, the lower your indoor humidity level needs to be to reduce the potential for saturated air. Dry heat and proper ventilation in your home is the best safeguard against interior condensation.
Here are some steps to help reduce interior condensation:
- Make sure your dryer vents are clear and that they exhaust to the exterior of your home.
- Use bathroom vent fans to exhaust the moisture from showering and bathing. Be sure that bathroom vents exhaust to the exterior and not just into the attic or crawl space.
- If you have a hood for your kitchen range which exhausts to the outside, make sure to use it whenever you are producing steam while cooking. If the hood on your kitchen range does not exhaust to the exterior, open windows while cooking to allow excess moisture to escape.
- Open window coverings slightly.
- Slightly open your fireplace damper.
- If your heating system is adaptable, install a fresh air duct into the cold air return, or use an exhaust fan.
- Monitor your inside humidity level by measuring with a hygrometer. (Hygrometers can be purchased at most hardware or home center stores often as a part of a barometer, thermometer, hygrometer combination.)
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