Window Condensation: Why & How

DO YOU HAVE WINDOW CONDENSATION?

Window condensation is so. not. fun. First of all, there goes your view! And it’s not good for the windows or walls: all that moisture can lead to rot and problems with mold and mildew, as well as lift up paint and damage plaster. To address the problem of condensation on windows, it’s important to understand why it’s happening.

Left side with Indow window insert (no condensation on window), right side without (condensation on window).

HOW DOES CONDENSATION ON WINDOWS FORM?

Window condensation forms when the interior surface temperature of your windows is at or below the dew-point temperature of the surrounding air in your house. What’s the dew point? That’s when the air is no longer able to “contain” all the water vapor mixed with it. Some of that water vapor has to say “see ya”, so it condenses into liquid on the window pane.

Think of the air as a sponge holding water: when the temperature drops, that squeezes the sponge onto the interior surface of your window.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT CONDENSATION ON WINDOWS INSIDE YOUR HOUSE?

• Inside and outside temperature
• Relative humidity of a space
• Humidity inside the home can be raised by: breathing, pets, showers, and plants to name a few

As the air cools outside, it may cause the interior surface of your windows to fall beneath the dew point. If all other conditions are equal, window condensation will occur more quickly in a space that’s more humid.

SOLVING WINDOW CONDENSATION WITH INDOW WINDOW INSERTS.

To fix condensation on windows inside the house, you must make the inside and outside temperatures closer to one another. You must also stop moist air from touching the window glass. Window inserts stop moist air from touching the glass pane and keep the air around it at a relatively similar temperature.

Indow inserts are made of a high-grade acrylic that insulates better than glass. The inserts have a silicone edging that press into the interior of your existing window frames to create a near airtight seal so the moist interior air of your house can’t get to the glass window pane. The air in the cavity between the acrylic insert and your glass window also buffers the insert from the cold outside temperature.

Single-pane windows often get more window condensation than double-pane windows, but it can happen to both types of windows. Indow inserts can help solve condensation on both single and double-pane windows.*

Here is a great picture a customer sent of a clear window with an Indow insert right next to a foggy, wet window without an insert:

To learn more about condensation on windows inside your house and how Indow inserts have helped customers eliminate window condensation read more.

*Indow window inserts will reduce or eliminate condensation on windows in most cases, but not all. Sometimes structural issues can interfere with the ability of the inserts to solve the problem.