Must-Know Facts About Window Condensation

High Indoor Humidity Can Create Condensation on Windows

Condensation on windows is the result of warm, humid air coming in contact with a smooth, chilly surface.  While your gut reaction can be to fully blame your sweaty windows, the situation is a bit more complicated than that.  That’s because your home humidity levels are a major contributor to window condensation, otherwise known as window sweating. 

The lower the temperature outside is, the lower the humidity levels need to be to prevent damage within your home.  The reason humidity manifests itself on your windows is because they are the coldest feature inside your home.

Humidity Levels In Your Home Are Caused By Air Leaks, Infiltration, & More

Common ways that humidity can enter your home include:

• Steam produced from using your cooktop
• Bathrooms with improper ventilation
• Subpar dryer vents
• Poor ventilation in gas fireplaces
• Bathroom doors that close too tightly, trapping moisture in the room
• Cracks in your foundation

Learn Why SeasonGuard Windows Are The Ideal Brand to Combat Window Condensation:

Consequences Of Having High Humidity In Your Home:

Apart from condensation on windows, mildew and mold in homes thrive in environments with elevated humidity.  Extended exposure to mold and mildew can result in infections, congestion, itchy eyes or skin, coughing, and a sore throat.  In addition, a home where high levels of mold and mildew exist can compromise its structural integrity, particularly if mold grows undetected behind walls for an extended period of time.  Damage due to humidity in homes doesn’t stop there, either.  Too much indoor humidity can cause wooden areas within your home, such as flooring and window sills to rot.  Paint on your walls can begin to crack, peel, and bubble.  

If this is not addressed quickly enough, your drywall can also be damaged.  Wallpaper that’s cracking and peeling also can be signals that your home’s indoor humidity levels are too high.  If your foundation has cracks that allow water in, the result is a wet basement.  This will dramatically increase your home’s humidity levels.

Tricks For Decreasing Humidity In Homes:

• Run your exhaust fan each time you shower or use your stove
• Run a dehumidifier
• Maintain a temperature of 62-68 degrees in the winter months
• Cracking a window for a brief period will increase your home’s ventilation and decrease the level of humidity

If you are experiencing window problems resulting from condensation, reach out to Lindus Construction today for a consultation.