Tag: double hung

What Causes Window Condensation and How Do I Get Rid of It?

Like a cold glass of lemonade on a summer’s day, condensation occurs when the temperature on one side of the glass is drastically different from the temperature on the other side of the glass. While condensation on your windows can be frustrating, creating an unpleasant aesthetic and blurring the sights outside, it’s typically not concerning. And the good news is you can minimize or prevent condensation on windows with a few easy fixes.

Common Causes of Window Condensation

Although it might look like an issue, moisture on your windows doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. In fact, window condensation can be a sign that your windows are forming an airtight seal, reducing air leakage and keeping the moisture inside your home.

Most of the time, moisture on your windows is a matter of temperature and humidity. When the air is hotter and more humid on one side of the glass, moisture collects on the window panes. 

In winter, condensation can form on the interior of your windows because it’s cold and dry outside but warm and humid inside. In the summer, it’s the opposite. You may see condensation on the outside of your windows in the morning from dew — just as it forms on your lawn. If there’s moisture inside your home, it’s likely because it’s become too humid indoors. Now, if you can’t easily remove window condensation by wiping the glass, the moisture is between the panes. And that’s a sign of a bigger issue.

How to Prevent Condensation on Windows

Inside, outside and in between, each type of window condensation has a different set of solutions. So your first step is to figure out where the condensation is coming from. Once you identify where it’s at, try out these tips to stop condensation on your windows.

Roomside window condensation

Interior Window Condensation

When you have condensation on the inside of a window, or roomside condensation, it’s a sign that the humidity inside your home is higher than it is outside. The humidity inside your house can be impacted by a number of things, including cooking, showering, houseplants and even laundry.

A comfortable humidity level inside a home varies depending on your climate and the time of year. Too low, and you may see warping of your woodwork or static electricity build-up causing you to get a small “zap” when you run your feet across the carpet before touching metal. Too high and you may risk dust mite infestation, air quality issues and condensation on walls, windows and other surfaces. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the relative humidity in your home should always be below 60 percent. Ideally, you want it somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. It’s normal to be on the lower end of the range (or slightly below) during winter months.

Reduce or prevent window condensation

Preventing Window Condensation on the Inside

Stopping condensation on the inside of your windows starts with measuring the relative humidity. The EPA recommends picking up a hygrometer — a small, inexpensive humidity meter you can find at your local home improvement store or big-box retailers. Some home thermostats, like new smart thermostats, have a humidity meter built-in. Once you know how humid it is inside your house, you can take measures to bring the levels down:

  • Open window treatments. Condensation is more likely to occur when drapes are closed or shades are pulled down. Try drawing your treatments so the heat isn’t trapped on your window pane. 
  • Circulate the air. The same way a gentle breeze can take the edge off the humidity outside, some air circulation can do wonders indoors. You can use ceiling fans in a clockwise direction — even during the winter — to move warm air from the top of your room down. 
  • Turn down the humidifier. If you’re using a humidifier — in a nursery, to treat a cold or as part of your furnace — turn it down or off for a while until the relative humidity comes down.
  • Ensure proper ventilation in your home. Some areas are more prone to moisture, like your kitchen, bathroom and laundry area. Make sure to run exhaust fans when cooking and showering. Make sure exhaust fans and the clothes dryer vent outside your home are in good working order. If your home doesn’t have exhaust fans, try opening your window just a bit for a few minutes to dry the air out. 
  • Keep firewood outside. Plants bring moisture into the air — even if that plant is now kindle for a fire. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, store firewood outside to help control the humidity.

Exterior Window Condensation

Condensation on the outside of your windows occurs when the exterior surface temperature of the glass falls below the dew point of the air. This type of condensation is more likely to occur when outside humidity levels are higher, like in the spring, summer and fall when cool nights follow warm days.

Exterior window condensation happens more in the summer months when the days are hotter and sunnier. It’s caused by three main conditions: high outdoor humidity, little or no wind and a clear night sky. 

Getting Rid of Window Condensation on the Outside

Because it’s seasonal and climate-related, condensation on the outside of windows is quite common. It isn’t indicative of problems with your windows or the humidity inside your home. You can simply wait for the sun to come out and dry up all the moisture. 

If the condensation on the glass is bothersome, try applying a water repellent to the exterior of your windows — you may have some in your garage already. Water repellent is commonly used on car windshields to help improve visibility in rainy weather. It can work in the same way to prevent condensation on house windows.

Condensation between the glass

Condensation Between Window Panes

Moisture between window panes is not something you can control. If you see condensation in between pieces of insulated glass on dual-pane or triple-pane windows, it’s actually an indication of glass seal failure. 

The performance of your windows has been compromised, so something will need to be replaced. Contact your local window dealer today about window condensation repairs. They will inspect the window and tell you whether they can simply replace the window panes or if you need a whole window replacement.

When to Worry About Moisture on Windows

If your windows are sweating, it’s no big deal. But if you don’t tackle the issues of indoor humidity, you may have problems later on. At a minimum, moisture can lead to musty odors. 

In more serious cases, water on your windows can trickle down to the frames and cause blistering, cracking or peeling paint, warping and water damage. And if you have moisture on your windows, you may have it elsewhere in the home. Over time, that can cause damage to insulation, leave stains on the walls and ceiling or lead to structural damage in your home.

The important thing to remember is that your windows are trying to tell you something: Reduce the indoor humidity before it causes hidden, costly problems elsewhere.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS STREAK FREE

When it comes to the view outside your house you don’t want anything to get in the way, especially dirty windows. There are many reasons why windows end up dirty over time; fingerprints, airborne dust, and even pollen can sully windows. Here’s how to achieve a streak-free clean.

DON’T CLEAN IN THE SUN

If you’ve ever heard the adage about never cleaning your windows when the sun is shining, it’s not just an old wives’ tale. The reason actually makes sense. When you try to clean in the sun, the window cleaner can dry on the glass faster than you have time to rub it on the windows. This results in those telltale steaks that mar the window. Instead, do all your window cleaning before the sun shines on the window or after it’s gone down in the sky.

SKIP THE PAPER TOWELS

Paper towels aren’t the best material to use on your windows. They absorb too much of the window cleaner, and they can leave behind tiny bits of paper. Paper towels also make for a streaky window. Instead, invest in a set of lint-free cloths that you only use on your windows. These will make it fairly easy to achieve a streak-free window every time you clean. When you launder lint-free cloths, don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener inhibits the effectiveness of the cloth. Finally, store your lint-free cloths separate from other clothes so they don’t pick up lint from another source.

USE A SQUEEGEE

One big secret that hotel maids use is a squeegee. Squeegees leave a streak-free window and mirror. Simply spray the window cleaner on the window. Using smooth strokes, move the squeegee down the surface of the glass all the way to the edge. Repeat all the way across the glass. Use your lint-free cloth to buff away any leftover droplets.

FINISH WITH A POLISH

Another maid secret is to polish windows with furniture polish. Any brand will work. This removes any streaks that may be “hiding.” Use a clean lint-free cloth and buff in a circular motion. Now your windows are spot-free and streak-free!

Determining the best window styles for each room of your home.

There are a number of different window styles to choose from for your new home. Below are the most popular window styles and the best rooms for each style.

Single Hung & Double Hung Windows

New construction windows come in a variety of window styles.

Hung windows slide up and down to open and close. Double hung windows have two operable sash (the part that moves and holds the glass in place). This means, unlike single hung windows, double hung windows can be opened from the top and the bottom. This design makes opening and cleaning these windows a breeze.

These windows are the most common window style and work well in any area of your home.

Casement Windows

Casement windows are ideal for hard to reach places.

Casement windows, unlike the more traditional double hung or single hung windows, are hinged at the side. This means instead of lifting or pulling your window open, you can simply use the crank at the bottom to easily ‘crank’ open the window. Casement windows are a great option for hard to reach areas in your home, like above your kitchen sink.

Awning Windows

Awning windows are perfect for Florida weather.

Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward. The crank handle on awning windows makes them super easy to operate and perfect for hard to reach places where you still want ventilation. The hinge at the top makes the awning window the only window style that can be opened when it’s raining. This makes awning windows ideal for those frequent and quick Florida rains because you can leave your windows open all day long without worry of rain getting into your home.

Slider Windows

Slider windows are great for rooms with big views.

A slider window is often described as a double hung window placed on its side. They slide open from either the left or the right side and are perfect for rooms where you want a wide view.

Bay & Bow Windows

Bow windows add dimension to your home.

A bay or bow window creates dimension. These windows project outward, creating a stunning visual display and add curb appeal to your home. A bay window can also add seating or storage inside your home.

Picture & Geometric Windows

Picture windows can be easily customized for small or large spaces.

Picture windows and geometric windows are fixed in the window frame, which means they don’t move. Because they don’t move or let any air flow into your home, they are the most energy efficient window styles. These windows come in any just about any size, shape, or combination you can imagine and are ideal for rooms where you don’t need airflow, but want an expansive view.

Garden Windows

Garden windows are usually found in kitchens.

Garden windows look like mini bay windows that jut out from your home. They are typically found in kitchens above the sink because they offer lots of natural light and add more space.

Planning a Window Replacement Project for Your Home?
Planning Your Replacement Window

If you’ve decided that it’s time to replace the windows on your home, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. You may be wondering about all the different types of replacement windows out there—which material is the most durable, which style will offer the most benefits, and perhaps most importantly, who will be installing your new windows. Thankfully, planning your window replacement project is easy when you have an experienced window contractor on your side.

When you partner with an Ecoshield window dealer, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. Not only will you have access to some of the highest-performing replacement windows on the market, but you can be confident that your new windows will be installed flawlessly and in accordance with Ecoshields lofty workmanship standards. During your free consultation, your Ecoshield dealer will sit down with you and go over all of the options that are available to you, such as:

  • Window style – choose from double-hung, casement, sliding, bay, bow, and more so that your windows look and function just how you want them to.
  • Decorative options – select different finishes for the interior and exterior of your windows so that they beautifully complement your home’s aesthetic.
  • Low-E glass packages – Ecoshield windows come with high-performance glazing systems that can be tailored to your region’s climate to ensure that your new windows provide you with the best energy efficiency.

Perhaps best of all, Ecoshield Windows come backed by solid lifetime warranties that cover the entire window, down to the smallest part. So, when you partner with a Ecoshield dealer for your upcoming window project, you can have total peace of mind that your investment is covered. Ready to get started?