Window condensation is a common problem that you may have noticed affecting your doors and windows. But the cause of this condensation can be varied, and the way to fix it must be tailored to the root of the problem.

Naturally, condensation is a natural process. It’s the same reason that your bathroom mirror fogs up after a warm shower and why water droplets accumulate on your cold glass on a hot day. But when it happens in your home, it could lead to problems.

Is the window the problem?

Condensation is an inevitable process. But windows and glass doors are usually where condensation is noticeable because glass has a low surface temperature. Condensation can indicate that the window is doing a good job of sealing out the exterior.

However, some windows types make it easier for condensation to develop. For example, an aluminum window will lead to condensation much faster than a wooden window. If condensation is becoming a problem in your home, it may help to consider the material of the windows and doors in the house.

Window condensation as an indicator of moisture buildup

Though window condensation is common, excessive and frequent condensation can be a sign of a bigger problem. If you are getting a lot of moisture inside your windows, especially one that is double or triple glazed, then your walls and ceiling are probably also collecting moisture.

This should be combated by reducing the amount of humidity inside your home. Everything you do inside the home from cooking, showering, and even breathing creates moisture. So what can you do? Certainly, all these activities are essential to life. But there are easy ways to reduce the trapped moisture that these activities create.

For one, you can purchase a humidity monitor which will test the air in your home to determine the humidity level. These can be purchased from any hardware store and won’t cost you too much.

How to reduce moisture in your home

If you’ve determined that there is excessive moisture building up inside your home, there are a few things you can do to reduce it. Some are simple and inexpensive. Some require more effort and a financial investment.

For instance, you should use bathroom and kitchen fans. Since both of these are major sources of moisture creation, they are worth installing if you don’t already have them. You can also use dehumidifiers in your home, especially more damp areas like a basement. You should also ensure that you have proper ventilation for vapor and moisture to be released. This includes appliances like clothes dryers and stoves in particular.

If you determine that there is something wrong with your windows, you can also make sure that any cracks around the windows are properly sealed. You can replace single pane windows with stronger glass, like storm windows or double and triple pane windows.

Finally, you may want to consider installing a ventilator that recovers energy and heat. It can ventilate your home by removing stale air and replacing it with fresh air.

Structural damage

Window condensation can also be a good sign that you may have developing structural damage due to excessive moisture buildup. If the materials of your home were exposed to a lot of moisture during construction, you may see increased moisture in the building structure. Though it can take many years to see the extent of the damage, window condensation and mold growth can be good signs that this might be occurring within your walls.

Preventing damage

If you’re seeing any condensation in your home, inspect your home to look for places where moisture can enter and seal the area immediately. A team of qualified experts can help investigate further to ensure that your home is not incurring long-term damage.