October 21 2019 0Comment
Tucson, AZ replacement windows

Dealing with Condensation on Your Replacement Windows

Many homeowners, whether they have old windows, or just installed brand new replacement windows on their Tucson, AZ homes, are plagued by annoying condensation. This pesky problem can block the view, drip on the floor, and even freeze on the glass. What causes this condensation, and what can you do about it?

It’s tempting to blame your windows, but you shouldn’t. This condensation is simply a result of excess humidity, and can form on almost any kind of window, from wood and vinyl to aluminum, old to new. Condensation is the result of fog and water droplets that form on window glass. They are just a different version of the condensation that forms on the outside of a glass of iced tea in the summer. They both come from water vapor in the air, though the condensation on your windows can be much more annoying than on your iced tea.

When outside temperatures go down, the warm air inside your house comes into contact with the cool glass surface on your windows. Since cold air holds less moisture than warm air, this contact makes the water vapor in the warm air quickly condense onto the cold glass. Your replacement windows themselves do not cause condensation. Rather, the windows simply provide the cool surfaces necessary for water vapor to condense onto.

The moisture needed inside your home for condensation to form can come from a few different places. When you sweat and breathe inside your home you are releasing moisture into the air. You are also creating more moisture when you cook, take a shower, or do laundry. In fact, every activity that uses water adds moisture to the air. Moisture in the home can also come from the home’s energy efficiency. For example, older homes are not as weather-tight as newer homes, and therefore allow in extra moisture from the outside.

Excess indoor moisture or humidity can manifest itself in other ways besides window condensation. Keep an eye out for damp spots on ceilings and room-side surfaces of exterior walls, particularly closets. When the weather gets cold, check the walls, windows and doors for water and ice. It’s important to be aware of these signs, as excess humidity is bad for your home.

If you are ready to get rid of this condensation issue, start by consider replacing single pane glass windows with windows that have double-pane glass with a low-e coating and argon gas filling. While these widow and glass types are not guaranteed to eliminate condensation, they should go a long way in reducing it.

If you have more questions on condensation at Tucson, AZ replacement windows Olander’s Window Replacement is here to help. We have years of industry experience and are ready to offer you more information on our services as well as solutions to a whole host of window problems. Please visit us at 4141 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712, or give us call at (520) 326-2909 today.