Condensation on your windows can be quite annoying and irritating. In most instances, it can damage your windows, especially if the affected windows are old.
Window condensation may force you to reduce your home’s humidity level. It can also cause hidden problems in the house that may be costly to repair.
If the problems persist, you may end up hiring a professional glazier to replace the windows. Read on for everything you need to know about window condensation.
What is window condensation?
Condensation is a situation where water droplets and fog form on glass window panes. A good example of condensation is the fog you see covering a glass containing ice-cold water.
Is condensation caused by windows?
If you’re looking for an answer to this question, you should know that windows don’t cause condensation. However, they’re typically the first surface where condensation occurs or gets seen.
You might have seen how your bathroom mirror gets fogged upon taking a hot bath or shower. You might have also seen how car windows develop fog during the cold season.
However, condensation can also occur at other times. For instance, it can also occur when using an air conditioner. Glass surfaces are the first place where condensation is seen.
Now that it is clear windows don’t cause condensation, what causes it? Basically, condensation occurs when humid, warm air touches cold surfaces.
For instance, if humid, warm air comes into contact with a cold glass surface, it’ll cool and contract, thereby forming condensation.
Classification of condensation
There are three major classifications of condensation. These classifications include:
- Indoor or interior condensation- This is a form of condensation experienced on the interior surface of cold surfaces like mirrors and windows. This form of condensation is extremely common and often results from daily activities such as cooking, showering, and air conditioning. Luckily, modern homes are well-insulated and energy-efficient, thereby preventing air from condensing on the interior surface of glass windows.
- Outdoor or exterior condensation- This is a form of condensation that occurs on the outdoor or exterior surface of a glass window. It typically occurs when the outer glass surface is relatively colder than its interior surface. As a result, air condenses on the exterior surface of the glass.
- Gap condensation– Gas condensation typically occurs on double-paned doors and windows. In this case, condensation occurs between the double glass panes. Thus, it’s advisable to have double-paned doors or windows fixed by professional glaziers to protect them from gap condensation.
Tips for Fixing Glass Condensation
If you’re dealing with indoor condensation, it’ll be effortless to prevent condensation through ventilation or opening the windows and doors when taking a bath. The best solution for dealing with indoor condensation is installing an effective humidifier. A humidifier works by drawing out moisture from the air. It’s especially important to have a humidifier turned on when drying clothes indoors.
If you’re dealing with outdoor condensation, it’ll go away on its own when the sun shines. As for gap condensation, ensure there’s enough ventilation in your home to keep double glazed doors and windows dry. Contact our Glass Repair Sydney team for more information.
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