Have you ever wondered how water gets on the inside of your windows? This question is pretty common. Many people find it odd that condensation forms on their new windows, whereas they didn’t notice any moisture with their previous ones. It might be a little confusing, but seeing some condensation on the inside of a window isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Read on to find out what causes moisture on the inside of a window, and how you can try to prevent it.
When warm moist air comes into contact with a cool surface, moisture forms. This is condensation. It mostly occurs in the winter time, when the inside of your home is much warmer than the outside. However, it can also occur in other months. For instance, think about a cold glass of soda sitting outside in the middle of the summer. The glass is cold, but it’s surrounded by air that’s hot and humid. Moisture forms on the outside of the glass when these two things meet.
Condensation forming isn’t unusual, and it will appear on most types of windows. In fact, it’s more common on better-performing windows due to their energy-efficient nature.
There are lots of opportunities to create moisture inside your home throughout the day. Taking a shower, boiling some water for coffee, cooking a meal – all of these can add multiple pints of water to the air in your home. When you see condensation on your new windows, it isn’t a problem. Condensation forming is actually a sign that the seals around your windows are air tight with modern insulation, preventing the water vapor from escaping your home. This is indicative of your home being energy efficient, keeping the warm air in and the cold air outside.
If you notice condensation on the outside of your windows, it’s indicative of the same thing, except in reverse. Condensation may form on the outside of your windows in the same way morning dew does on the blades of grass in your lawn. It’s occurs most often when you’re in a part of the year that has a big shift in temperature from day to night. This is another sign that your windows are sealed air-tight and are energy efficient.
All things considered, a little condensation isn’t a big problem. However, if you start noticing a lot of it, you might want to investigate things a bit further. Excess humidity can cause mildew and mold to develop, and if the problem is really bad water can seep into your insulation and cause additional damage to the walls surrounding your windows or doors. If you think indoor humidity might be causing a problem, there are some steps you can take to prevent it.
If you’re using a humidifier, stop using it or only use it when you need it most (when you are sleeping, for instance). Taking shorter showers can also prevent excess humidity in your home. If your home has a crawlspace with a dirt floor, surround it with a vapor barrier and weather stripping near the entrance. If you have lots of windows, make sure to open your blinds and drapes when you can. If your home has ceiling fans, turn them on to better circulate the air. If you’re comfortable with it, you can also raise the temperature in your home – this will decrease the amount of relative humidity inside. If you have a washer and dryer, make sure it is properly vented to the outside of your home. The same goes for the kitchen and bathroom. Installing an exhaust fan to areas of your home that get wet will be one of the best things you can do to prevent excess moisture.
