Jun 3, 2010

Category: General

Condensation is a natural occurrence, but when it shows up in homes, homeowners look for answers and solutions. Condensation can best be understood as occurring when droplets of water form on the nearest cool or cold surface when air molecules become saturated and can no longer contain additional moisture. Because warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air, and glass surfaces act as barriers or breaks between the outdoor and indoor are temperatures, windows can be an obvious surface where moisture may collect. 

 “Using energy-efficient, high-performance windows like Marvin and Integrity that are Hallmark-certified with rigorous infiltration testing can make the difference between a comfortable, trouble-free home and one that needs corrective maintenance,” says Tom Brooks of Harbrook Fine Windows, Doors & Hardware in Albany, a Marvin showcase dealer. Modern homes are more air tight, says Brooks. “They are typically built with energy conservation in mind, and this leaves less air exchange to reduce potential condensation problems.” Older homes have more heat loss due to air infiltration, but they also have fewer condensation problems. “Finding the right balance between proper insulating windows or doors and healthy air circulation is critical to reducing moisture and condensation problems in the home,” says Brooks.  

While new homes use insulated, low-E, double-glazed windows filled with argon gas to minimize energy loss and condensation, older homes use a combination of single-glazed windows and storms to reduce air infiltration and energy loss. According to Brooks, “Older homes with single-glazed windows should always have exterior storm windows in place for insulation value and to reduce condensation problems, and they should not be airtight. They should always have small weep holes at the bottom to allow moisture to escape. Sometimes interior storms are preferred, and in these cases, the edges should be tightly secured so that there is less condensation on the primary window.”  

Controlling condensation on windows is important since moisture can damage the window’s components; however, condensation is not necessarily an indication that your windows are bad or need to be replaced. Condensation naturally occurs when the window surface is cool enough to allow moisture in the air to condense on it, which is why condensation is most noticeable in the wintertime. Likewise, some condensation and light frost on exterior storm windows is normal, but if there is a heavy buildup on the storm window for an extended period of time, it can be a sign that the primary window needs to be sealed or that the room’s humidity is too high.

While windows and doors may be obvious locations for condensation, wood surfaces, walls, basements, attics, crawl spaces, plumbing and ventilating systems are also areas where moisture may collect. “It is important to isolate and identify the locations of air infiltration and where the condensation is occurring in the home in order to correct the problem,” says Greg Bellamy of Bellamy & Sons Construction Company in Glenville. Determining the relative humidity of a home is very important to understanding condensation problems, according to both Bellamy and Brooks. Using relative humidity guides that show seasonal dew points can help a homeowner understand when condensation will occur and at what temperatures. Bellamy says that it is not unusual to see condensation appear after new construction, remodeling or home additions. “Moisture escapes from newly applied plaster, paint, concrete and wood materials for six months or more depending upon the size and conditions of the project,” says Bellamy. “It is important to determine the cause in order to determine the remedy,” he says.

 

The good news is that condensation is controllable. Bellamy offers several tips to homeowners looking to reduce moisture problems in the homes. “Homeowners should properly vent all appliances such as dryers, stoves and exhaust fans, use vapor barriers on all earth crawl spaces, use kiln-dried lumber in any new construction areas, use energy-efficient windows and/or storms for older homes, and make sure their homes are properly insulated and vented.”

 

Harbrook Fine Windows, Doors & Hardware, founded in 1955, is a family-owned company with a 3,000 square-foot showroom at 47 Railroad Avenue in Albany. Harbrook is a dealer and installer of fine windows, doors and hardware throughout eastern New York State and has worked on modest, grand, modern and historic buildings including such notables as The White House in Washington and 515 Park Avenue in Manhattan.

Print