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Window Condensation: Causes, Prevention, and Solutions

Condensation on windows is a common issue in many homes, especially during colder months. It occurs when warm, moist air inside the house comes into contact with a cold window surface, causing the moisture in the air to condense into water droplets.

While window condensation might seem like a minor inconvenience, persistent moisture can lead to mould growth, damp issues, and even damage to window frames and walls.

It can also indicate underlying ventilation or insulation problems in your home.

In this blog, we’ll explore why condensation forms, how to prevent it, and what solutions are available to keep your windows dry and your home comfortable.

Window Condensation & Blown Double Glazing
What's the Difference?

Many homeowners confuse standard window condensation with blown double glazing, but they are two different issues with different causes and solutions.

Window Condensation
(External or Internal)

This happens when warm, humid air meets a cold glass surface, forming water droplets on the window. It can occur inside your home (on the room-facing side of the glass) or outside (on the outer pane). This is typically caused by high humidity levels and poor ventilation, and it can often be reduced with better airflow and moisture control.

If condensation appears inside the double glazed glass unit, between the two glass panes, this means the glass seal has failed. A blown unit loses its insulating gas, reducing energy efficiency and making the window less effective at keeping your home warm.

The only permanent solution for blown double glazing is a double glazed glass pane replacement, as the seal cannot be repaired.

We specialise in blown double glazed glass replacement to restore your window’s insulation and prevent further heat loss.

If you have blown windows, get in touch with us and get a free quote in minutes.

What Causes Window Condensation?

Condensation is a result of temperature differences and excess moisture in the air. Here are some of the main causes:

1. High Indoor Humidity.

Everyday activities generate moisture in the air. Common sources include:

  • Cooking (boiling water, steaming food)
  • Showering or bathing
  • Drying clothes indoors
  • Breathing (a family of four can produce several litres of moisture daily!)

 

When this moisture has nowhere to escape, it builds up, leading to condensation on colder surfaces like windows.

2. Poor Ventilation

Homes with inadequate airflow trap humid air inside. This is especially common in modern houses with well-sealed windows and doors, where air exchange is minimal. Without proper ventilation, moisture accumulates, increasing the likelihood of condensation.

3. Cold External Temperatures


During winter, window glass is much colder than the warm indoor air. When the moist indoor air touches the cold surface, it rapidly cools down, causing condensation. This is why condensation is more noticeable on windows in the colder months.

4. Inefficient or Damaged Double Glazing


Double glazed windows are designed to provide insulation, reducing the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. However, if the seal between the glass panes fails, the insulating gas escapes, reducing efficiency and allowing condensation to form inside the glass unit. This is a sign that the window unit has failed and needs replacing.

Window Condensation Health risks!

Condensation isn’t directly harmful, but it creates damp conditions that encourage mould and mildew growth. Mould spores can worsen respiratory issues, trigger allergies, and pose health risks, especially for those with asthma or breathing problems.

According to the NHS website, moulds produce allergens and toxic substances that when inhaled or touched can cause “allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash.

“Moulds can also cause asthma attacks.”

How to Prevent Window Condensation?

If condensation is already occurring, here’s what you can do:

For Internal Condensation (Inside the Home):

Improve Ventilation

  • Increase airflow throughout your home by opening windows or using exhaust fans in areas where moisture tends to accumulate, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
  • Use ceiling fans to circulate air, which helps prevent moisture buildup by promoting evaporation.

Use Dehumidifiers

  • Install and use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air, especially in areas with high humidity levels or where condensation is a recurring issue.
  • Place dehumidifiers strategically in problem areas to target specific areas of moisture buildup.

Monitor Indoor Humidity

  • Invest in a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels regularly. Aim to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% to minimize condensation while avoiding excessively dry conditions.
  • Adjust your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system settings to regulate indoor humidity levels as needed.

Seal Windows and Doors

  • Check for and repair any gaps, cracks, or leaks around windows and doors that may allow warm, moist air to enter your home from the outside.
  • Apply weather stripping or caulking as necessary to improve the sealing of windows and doors and prevent air infiltration.

Insulate Windows

  • Upgrade to double-pane or triple-pane windows, which provide better insulation and help maintain warmer interior glass surfaces, reducing the likelihood of condensation.
  • Consider installing storm windows or adding window insulation film to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat transfer.

Use Insulating Window Treatments

  • Install thermal curtains, cellular shades, or window quilts to add an additional layer of insulation and reduce heat loss through windows, which can help prevent condensation by maintaining warmer window surfaces.

Increase Surface Temperature

  • Use radiant heaters or other localised heating sources near windows to increase the surface temperature of the glass, reducing the temperature differential between the indoor air and the window surface and minimising condensation.

Remove Excess Moisture Sources

  • Address sources of excess moisture within your home, such as leaky plumbing, dripping faucets, or water seepage from the foundation or roof, to reduce overall humidity levels and minimise condensation.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively reduce condensation on windows and create a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment. However, it’s essential to assess your specific situation and needs to determine which combination of methods will be most effective in addressing condensation issues in your home.

For Condensation Between Double Glazed Panes

  • This indicates a seal failure—the insulating gas inside the unit has escaped, reducing its thermal efficiency.
  • The only permanent solution is to replace the double-glazed unit to restore proper insulation.

At Window Fixers, we offer professional glass replacement services with a five-year guarantee on condensation-free double-glazed units. Our expert team can replace failed glass quickly and efficiently, restoring the insulation of your windows.

Get your Free no-obligation quote in minutes!

Send us a quick photo or video of your window via WhatsApp or Email, or give us a call to speak directly with one of our experts.

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