As the winter approaches and temperatures drop, we are starting to turn our attention to how we can keep our Hockley homes as comfortable as possible through the colder months. One issue that our windows face annually is excess condensation due to warmth and humidity in the house and cold temperatures outside. The optimal level of moisture in the air is around 50% – much less and the air will be too dry and can give you a sore throat, but much more and the excess moisture will affect your home. As water particles in the air hit the cold surface of our windows, it condenses and causes built up surface moisture. This is both unsightly and inconvenient, so how do you stop condensation from gathering on your double glazed windows?
What Causes Condensation?
Firstly, it makes sense to consider the day to day things in our homes that are contributing to excess moisture in the air to see what we can reduce! The main rooms that you are likely to notice condensation in your home are the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. This makes sense when you consider the typical behaviours in these rooms – steam and vapour from showering and cooking are prime culprits for increased humidity in the bathroom and kitchen, but why the bedroom? The average adult exhales between 0.75 and 1 pint of water vapour per night in their sleep! As many of us tend to sleep with the windows and bedroom door closed – especially during the winter – this can quickly accumulate and add to the moisture in the room.
When Is Condensation On Double Glazed Windows A Problem?
It is always a good idea to try and prevent a build up of excess moisture in your home, which will in turn reduce the condensation on your double glazed windows. Too much moisture can contribute to mould growth and cause health issues including asthma and bacterial lung infections. With regards to your window installations, the condensation running down the outside of the windows can cause damage and rot to the frames and window sills. Although a little condensation is natural on any cold surface, it is not something that we want to promote or allow to build up.
If the condensation is occurring on the inside of the windows, between the double glazing panes, this is indicative that your double glazing may need to be repaired or replaced entirely as the seal is likely damaged. If this is the case, we would strongly recommend that you contact Seemore Glass – our helpful experts can help assess the issue and recommend the best course of action!
How Can I Prevent Condensation On My Double Glazed Windows?
Fundamentally, to reduce condensation on your windows, you must first reduce the humidity in the room. Luckily, our team has a few helpful suggestions for small changes that can make a big difference!
The main way to reduce humidity in your home is to keep it well ventilated. It is recommended that you should open your windows for 20 minutes every day to promote airflow and ventilate your home – even in the winter! We appreciate, however, that this would mean losing warmth from your home and may not sound so appealing, so contemporary windows incorporate clever trickle vents. Trickle vents are small mechanisms that can be integrated into, or installed above, your windows which allow for continuous airflow and help to ventilate your space without having the windows open. The circulation of fresh air helps diffuse the moisture in the room by drawing out the polluted air and introducing fresh air from outside. These trickle vents are so small that there are no draughts created and the heat lost through them is negligible, yet they make such a difference to the health and longevity of your windows! Contact our team today to learn more about how new windows with trickle vents could help you.
To avoid a build up of humid air when cooking and showering, an extractor fan is ideal for quickly reducing the moisture in your kitchen and bathroom. We recommend leaving this running for a while after you have finished, to allow the humidity to return to normal. Leaving a window open is another great way to help this process.
Double Glazing Prices Hockley
If you have any concerns about your double glazing, contact our team of experts at Seemore Glass at 01702 205 853 and we will be happy to advise you on your best course of action! Alternatively, you can get a free, no-obligation quote on our website to upgrade your double glazing and include those all-important trickle vents at a great price! Talk to us today and see how we can help you prevent condensation from building up on your double glazing.
Categories: Updates
