How to Prevent and Reduce Window and Door Condensation

You have just installed your first set of windows or doors, but there’s one
problem-they have water droplets streaming down them. If this happens, your
mind probably becomes inundated with questions such as:

  • Is this normal?
  • Are my windows or doors broken?
  • Is this a result of a poor installation process?

Window and door condensation is a normal symptom of installing new
windows or doors. So, you can rest assured that your newly installed windows or
doors are not defective, but just new.

Condensation buildup on your newly installed windows or doors is simply a
symptom of moisture imbalance which is, in many cases, a result of humidity that
is trapped within your home.

Installing new windows and doors in your home adds a significantly stronger
seal against indoor and outdoor circulation which generates higher chances for
window and door condensation.

Another reason why windows and doors have a higher tendency to accrue
condensation, as opposed to countertops and floors, is because they tend to have
lower temperatures.

Condensation isn’t necessarily a permanent predicament either. There are several
factors that can cause temporary window and door condensation, such as:

·         The start of a hot weather season/pattern
·         Quick temperature fluctuations
·         New construction or remodeling

In this guide, you’ll find out about the different types of window and door
condensation and why your windows and doors are subject to condensation.
You’ll also learn about ways to reduce and even prevent window and door
condensation on your newly installed windows and doors.

The Truth Behind Window and Door Condensation

Windows and doors aren’t to blame for condensation; water, or condensation, doesn’t just leak out of a window or a door. Rather, condensation builds on your windows or doors because of the moisture levels in the air.

The amount of condensation that builds up on those two surfaces can vary depending on the amount of water vapor floating about your home.

In other words, if there’s an excessive amount of moisture, or water vapor, windows and doors ambient dew point can become cooler than the outdoor temperature which will then cause condensation to drip from your newly installed windows or doors.

Even the most expensive high-performance windows and doors are subject to condensation.

INTERIOR CONDENSATION

If there is a buildup of condensation on the inside of your window or door, then it is typically a result of excessive moisture in your home. Interior condensation is actually the most common type of condensation buildup on newly installed windows and doors.

There are a variety of ways, that we discuss later in this guide, to help you minimize and prevent condensation that occurs from inside your home.

EXTERIOR CONDENSATION

Exterior condensation is also known as dew. This results when your window or door is cooler than the ambient dew point.

CONDENSATION BETWEEN THE GLASS

If condensation is building up between your windows’ and doors’ glass panes, then that typically results from the seal between the glass panes being broken, or the desiccant inside the windows or doors being saturated.

Condensation shouldn’t buildup between the glass panes, so if it is, than it is likely a faulty window or door.

Why Your Windows and Doors are Subject to Condensation

Your windows and doors don’t cause condensation; rather, they are subject to condensation-especially interior condensation. There are a variety of factors that are likely occurring on a daily or weekly basis that can produce condensation on your windows and doors, including:

·         Cooking
·         Laundry (washing, drying and ironing)
·         Ventilation
·         Showering and Bathing
·         Humidifiers
·         Unvented Gas Heaters
·         Air Conditioning Vents

If you notice that your doors or windows are accumulating condensation on their interior, exterior or between the glass panes, you should try utilizing the following preventative measures to help ensure your home’s integrity; if you don’t, you may see some unwanted buildups, such as mold or mildew.

REDUCE MOISTURE

You can reduce the amount of moisture in your home by turning down the humidifier to release less moisture into the air. Also, investing in a moisture eliminator, such as DampRid, which comes in a bucket, can help absorb and reduce the moisture in the air.

IMPROVE VENTILATION

Not allowing your home to properly ventilate via windows and doors can trap moisture inside your home and cause an increase in condensation. Try keeping your window and door coverings sufficiently open during the day to allow proper circulation.

If you are washing, drying or ironing apparel, then it may help improve your home’s ventilation by installing duct pipes that take the air to the outside of your home.

Opening your newly installed windows and doors can drastically improve ventilation and moisture imbalance in your home. New windows and doors have higher testing standards and tougher requirements for overall improvement in products including a more airtight seal for your home.

CIRCULATE AIR VIA FANS

Air circulation via fans can also reduce window and door condensation.

Bathroom fans

Since showering or bathing releases an extensive amount of moisture into the air, you should turn your bathroom fan on while you shower or bathe and leave it on for 15 minutes after your shower or bathe.

Your bathroom exhaust fan should be installed so that the fan is ducted to the outside of your home so the moisture-soaked air can escape.

Cooking or dishwashing

You can help prevent condensation on your windows and doors by installing vent stove range hoods. Again, be sure that the dishwasher and stove ventilation fans are ducted to the outside of your home.

MISCELLANEOUS PREVENTIONS

Remember your windows and doors don’t cause condensation-it’s too much water vapor or moisture in the air. The following are simple solutions for reducing or preventing window and door condensation in your home:

Raise the temperature inside your home
Add weather stripping to your windows and doors