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Eliminating Washington DC/Northern Virginia
Window Condensation and Fogging
Window and door condensation can appear on Washington DC and Northern Virginia windows in nearly any season, depending on the age and style of the window or glass, as well as the varying humidity and temperature conditions. To combat condensation, Vinyl-Lite manufactures high performance windows that resist condensation due to the high "R value" rating. The "R value" is a measure of how resistant a material is to heat transfer or loss; the higher the R value, the less likely it is that glass or window condensation will occur.
Vinyl-Lite’s "Triple E Glazing System" has been laboratory tested to be THREE times more energy efficient than ordinary
glass and standard windows. A triple glazed window consists of three sheets of glass separated by two air/gas gaps. The air gaps provide the insulating layers that slows down the heat loss and reduces the opportunity for condensation to form. Expertly designed, assembled and installed triple glazed windows will significantly reduce energy usage. We offer Low-E "Energy Efficient" glass, argon/krypton gases, and various triple pane options with our Glazing System.
Vinyl-lite also offers "Warm Edge Technology" as a means for condensation control. Our "Thermal Edge" is a revolutionary new vinyl spacer used in our window manufacturing process. When the window glass is touching a vinyl spacer, and not a metal one, the overall window's energy efficiency is increased thereby further reducing perimeter condensation on the glass and window frame.
Read on for additional "Frequently Asked Questions" about Virginia window condensation.
Virginia Window Condensation
FAQ's
What
is Condensation?
Condensation
is the fog that
suddenly or gradually appears in cold weather here in Metro DC and Northern Virginia
on the glass and framing of windows and sliding
glass
doors. It can block views, drip on the floor and furniture,
or freeze
on
glass.
What
causes window
condensation?
Window
condensation is the result
of excess humidity in your home, combined with low energy-efficient windows. Window glass provides a
cold surface on
which humidity can visibly condense. The fog on your windows
is a form of
condensation - just like the water that forms on the outside
of a glass of
iced tea
in the summer and on the bathroom mirrors and walls after a hot
shower. Condensation usually occurs first on windows, because
glass
surfaces have the lowest temperature of any of the interior surfaces in
the
house. When the warm, moist air comes into contact with the
cooler glass
surfaces, the moisture condenses.
Your
foggy
windows and sliding doors are actually informing you that they need replacement, for example with Vinyl-lite's Triple Glazing replacement window systems, and to also take steps to reduce
indoor
humidity
before it causes hidden, costly problems elsewhere in your home -
problems like
peeling paint, rotting wood, buckling floors, insulation deterioration,
mildew,
and even moisture spots in ceilings and walls
Foggy
windows and sliding doors are
the indicators and warning signs that humidity and older windows could be
damaging your
home.
How
can my home have
indoor humidity?
Humidity
is
water vapor, or
moisture in the air. All air contains a certain amount of
moisture, even
indoors. The Washington DC metro region is an especially humid region,
and indoor humidity is a significant issue.
Where
does the
moisture come from?
There
are many things that generate
indoor moisture, such as humidifiers, heating systems
and even
plants. Cooking
three meals a day adds four to five pints of water to the
air. Each shower
contributes half a pint. In fact, every activity that uses
water (like
dishwashing, mopping floors, doing laundry) adds some moisture to the
air.
More
water vapor in the air means a
higher indoor humidity. Higher indoor humidity means
more condensation.
How
much indoor humidity is too
much?
A homeowner can use the windows
as a guide to the proper humidity level within the house, along with humidity-measuring devices such as hygrometers. If
objectionable condensation occurs on the inside surface of the windows,
the
humidity level is too high - or the windows need to be replaced.
To
avoid excess condensation, the
following winter humidities are recommended in the house:
Outside
Inside
Relative
Temperature
Humidity
-20oF
15 to 20%
-10oF
15 to 20%
0oF
20 to 25%
10oF
25 to 30%
20oF
30 to 35%
(The
indoor humidity can be
checked with a sling psychrometer, hygrometer or
humidistat)
Will
reducing the
humidity in my home during winter help control condensation?
Eliminate
the excessive humidity, and increase the thermal insulating properties of your windows,
and you will eliminate most (possibly all) the condensation.
How can I
reduce the
humidity in my home?
Control
the sources of moisture, increase ventilation, and possibly replace your windows and doors with Vinyl-Lite's "High R" rated, triple-glazed thermally-efficient window systems.
As
a temporary solution to an acute
problem, open a window in each room for a few minutes.
Opening
windows allows the stale, humid air to escape, and fresh dry air to
enter.
After a shower, for example, open the bathroom windows or turn on the
exhaust
fan, so steam can get outside instead of remaining in the house.
Vent
all gas burners, clothes
dryers, etc. to the outdoors. Install kitchen and bathroom
exhaust
fans. If there are a large number of plants in the house
during winter,
concentrate them in one sunny room and avoid over-watering.
Keep
basements as dry as possible
by waterproofing floors and walls. Run a dehumidifier if
necessary.
Make sure attic vents are open and unobstructed.
Opening
the windows slightly
throughout the house for a brief time each day will go far towards
allowing humid
air to escape and drier air to enter. The heat loss will be
minimal.
Consult
a local Northern Virginia or DC metro heating and
ventilating contractor, or the Vinyl-Lite Northern Virginia window factory trained consultants, to help determine whether ventilation is
adequate and
whether it can be improved.
Ensure
humidifiers are correctly
set according to the outside temperatures.
Installation
of Northern Virginia storm windows, along with energy-efficient replacement windows,
will often relieve condensation on the primary house windows by keeping
the
interior glass warmer.
Does
condensation
occur more often in particular climates or types of homes?
Absolutely!
Condensation is
more apt to occur in climates where the average January temperature is
35o or
colder because there will be greater extremes between indoor and
outdoor
temperatures affecting the glass surfaces in the home. The mid-atlantic, metro Washington DC and Northern Virginia climate is especially troublesome for window condensation because of the frequent and extreme variations in temperatures.
During
the summer and fall,
all
parts of a house pick up moisture from damp air. In the fall,
when the
windows are closed and heat is turned on, this moisture will pass into
the air
of the house. For a week or two there is likely to be
condensation.
During
the first year after
construction or remodeling, it is likely a house will have more
condensation
present because of the massive amount of moisture in the building
materials
used. Building materials need about one year to dry out, so
excessive
condensation can be expected in the first heating season.
Even after the
first year, if the humidity level is too high, condensation may still
be a
problem because today's homes are much "tighter" (in the interests of
energy efficiency) than older homes. New materials and
techniques in
weather stripping, insulation, vapor barriers, etc., which are intended
to keep
out cold air, also lock moisture inside. As a result,
moisture created by
bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and occupants no longer flows to the
outside
unless mechanically ventilated.
Are
there any cases where window condensation is only temporary?
Yes,
there are primarily three.
-
New construction or remodeling
-
The beginning of each heating season
-
Quick changes in temperature
Wood,
plaster, cement, and other
building materials used in new construction and remodeling produce a
great deal
of moisture. During the heating season, there may be a
significant amount
of temporary condensation. After the first few weeks of
heating, it will
dry out, and you'll have less condensation troubles.
Sharp,
quick drops in temperature
can also cause temporary condensation problems during the heating
season.
Why,
if my old windows did not have condensation, do my new windows have it
now?
One
of the reasons you probably
replaced your old windows was because they were drafty, and when the
wind wasn't
blowing in, those slight cracks allowed the excess humidity that is in
your
house is unable to escape, therefore, it is showing itself on the
glass.
This is your first indication that you have too much humidity in your
home.
The
condensation resistance factor
(CRF) and "R" factor of your new windows will also play a part in the amount of
condensation
that appears. The higher the CRF and "R factor", the less condensation will
appear
relative to the humidity of your home. Vinyl-lite's virginia replacement windows offer many advantages in terms of less condensation and more thermal insulation, including triple-pane glazing options, Thermal Edge energy efficiency options, and many other advanced window manufacturing techniques.
You
say I should have less humidity, but I have been told that more
humidity is
healthier.
At
one time, it was believed that
humidifiers helped people stay healthy during the winter
months. Recent
tests have shown that for usually healthy people, this is not the
case. In
fact, humidifiers may actually cause health
problems. Additionally
the Association of Home Appliance ManufacturersTM
makes no medical
claims for humidifiers. An Association spokesperson said, "We
do not
have the evidence of medical benefits". However, the
Association
said, "Manufacturers do maintain the humidifiers help plants and
furniture
only".
Does
the amount of condensation depend on the type of window?
Sometimes, and it not only depends on the type of window, but how it was manufactured.
Recessed windows, like
bay or bow windows, usually experience more condensation than other
window
styles. This is because air circulated around those window
types is
usually more restricted, and since they hang away from the insulated
house wall,
bays and bows could be a few degrees cooler in temperature.
To diminish
excessive condensation, the smart installer will insulate under the
seat and the
head of the unit. As a secondary measure, placing a common
electric fan
near the window to produce air circulation may also be helpful. Regardless of the type of window, all northern virginia replacement windows from Vinyl-Lite come with very advanced features that help eliminate condensation.
Do
drapes and window shades cause window condensation?
Drapes
and other window coverings
do not cause the window condensation, but they can contribute to the
problem by
restricting the flow of warm room air over the glass surface.
Therefore,
condensation is more apt to occur when drapes are closed and shades are
pulled
down. Today's heavily insulated drapes and tighter shades can
contribute
to the problem even more.
Remember......Vinyl replacement windows and vinyl new windows resist condensation!
New or replacement Windows
with vinyl frames help
guard against the damaging efforts of window condensation because of
the higher
insulating value of the vinyl. Also, double or triple-glazed windows
are far more
resistant to condensation than single pane windows. Single
pane windows
allow for a higher percent of the indoor relative humidity.
Check with Vinyl Lite Window Factory first for DC Metro and Northern Virginia new or replacement windows!
(some material sourced from "Canadian Builder")
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