Your Windows Are Crying: What Causes Window Condensation?
Share this story!
Share this post to any popular social media, email it to a friend or print it off.
Ah, condensation. That lovely time of year when your windows turn into a free indoor water feature, your morning view disappears, and suddenly your perfectly good windows are public enemy number one.
Before anyone starts drafting a strongly worded complaint to their window supplier, let’s investigate the real culprit. Spoiler alert: your windows might not be the problem. Your morning shower, boiling kettle and pasta night, however, may have some explaining to do.
So, what actually causes condensation? Put simply, it happens when warm, moisture-filled air meets a cold surface, turning water vapour into those familiar droplets on your glass. Everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors all release moisture into your home. Add a chilly British winter to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a foggy window. Congratulations, you’ve created your very own indoor weather system.
“But my old windows never did this!” Ah, the classic. Modern, energy-efficient windows, including our uPVC sash windows, are designed to keep heat inside and cold air out. That’s a good thing, particularly when nobody fancies heating the entire street. However, because modern windows reduce unwanted draughts and heat loss, adequate ventilation becomes even more important to help moisture escape. Your windows are doing their job. They’re just being blamed for the weather. Typical.
Thankfully, there’s plenty you can do to help. Using extractor fans when cooking or showering, opening windows when practical and making use of trickle vents can all help improve ventilation. And if a visible trickle vent isn’t quite the look you’re after, our concealed trickle vents offer a more discreet alternative. Built into the top of the window frame, they provide background ventilation while keeping the vent itself barely noticeable. Because getting the ventilation your home needs doesn’t have to mean compromising on the look of your windows! You can also help by keeping bathroom and kitchen doors closed while generating lots of steam, wiping away excess condensation promptly and allowing air to circulate around curtains and blinds.
It’s worth remembering that not all condensation is the same. Moisture on the inside of the glass is often linked to humidity indoors, while condensation on the outside can occur when the external glass becomes colder than the surrounding air. If you notice condensation between the panes of your double glazing, that’s a different matter and may indicate an issue with the sealed unit.
The takeaway? Condensation can be frustrating, but it doesn’t automatically mean your windows are faulty. A little ventilation, some moisture management and the occasional wipe with a cloth can go a long way towards keeping your windows clear and your home comfortable.
So, before you blame your windows, perhaps have a word with the kettle.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Sandra’s comprehensive understanding of sash windows, flush windows, bifold doors and more encompasses everything from initial manufacturing to after-sales support. As a trusted member of the Quickslide team, her authority helps trade partners, homeowners, and industry peers alike.
As one of Quickslide’s most prolific writers, Sandra contributes regularly to the industry with useful insights into the newest innovations in modern sash windows. Her passion for the product shines through in her articles, and her pieces are suitable for technical professionals and homeowners thanks to her digestible, simple breakdowns of complex manufacturing terms.
Each of Sandra’s articles is written using the latest research and industry developments, ensuring that readers receive reliable, up-to-date information as and when they’re published. As a marketing visionary, our clients and their customers can rely on Sandra’s insight for the latest in vertical sliders and other double glazed Quickslide products.
Please note, our news articles are relevant and accurate at the time of release, but as technical developments dictate, and times goes by the information in this article may no longer be applicable. If you have questions, please contact us using our online contact form or call us on 03332 412 240.