Condensation doesn’t look nice, and too much of it can cause water damage.
During the hot, humid days of summer, it’s hard to avoid condensation. However, condensation should be on your glass of lemonade, not on your windows! Condensation on windows can lead to anything from reduced visibility and natural light to water damage that leads to mold and rot. You can protect your home from the damage caused by condensation by learning more about its causes and how to prevent it.
The Causes of Condensation on Windows
The most common cause of condensation on windows is summer humidity. Outdoor temperatures drop significantly after the sun goes down in the summer. This causes the panes of your windows to cool. As moist, warm air from the inside of your home comes in contact with the cool pane of glass in the window, the moisture from the air will begin to condensation on the glass. Besides summer humidity, here are a few other things that contribute to condensation on windows:
- Steam: Whether you’re taking a steamy shower, boiling water for tea, or unloading a fresh load of hot dishes from the dishwasher, creating steam in the home will contribute to condensation. This is because the moisture in steam is carried through the air and eventually condensates on the windows.
- Drying: Whenever something dries–whether it’s wet laundry, a fresh coat of paint, or hand washed dishes–the moisture has to go somewhere. Moisture leaves the object that’s drying and finds its way to other parts of the home, like the windows.
- Houseplants: Did you know that houseplants give off oxygen? They also give off small amounts of moisture through their respiration process. If your home is filled with houseplants, you may experience some condensation from them.
- Breathing: That’s right, just living and breathing inside of your home will create moisture and condensation. A family of four creates between 1 to 1.5 gallons of moisture each day, mostly by breathing.
How to Prevent Condensation
There are several ways you can prevent condensation on your windows. Moisture is carried through warm air, so the cooler you can keep your home, the better. Plus, keeping a cool home also helps with ventilation.
If you have old windows, then one of the best ways to protect against condensation and prevent water damage, mold, mildew, and rot is to invest in replacement windows. Replacement windows are strongly sealed to keep the weather out and the AC in. Modern replacement windows are crafted with multiple panes and a special gas that helps to regulate temperature between panes. This further helps to keep the inside of your home cold (or warm in the winter).
Capital Remodeling, Inc.
We have over 20 years of experience in the field, an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and thousands of satisfied homeowners to show for it. Be sure to see what people are saying about their home improvement projects!
Look out for Capital Remodeling on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest to stay tuned in to all of the latest in home remodeling and design. If you are getting ready to begin your very own home improvement project, get in touch with us today at 1.800.310.7154 or fill out our quick and easy contact form! Capital Remodeling has offices in Hanover, Gaithersburg, Fairfax, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Roswell. Begin building your dream home today!