It's Time to Take Another Look at Aluminum Windows

"A lot of my customers ask the following question, especially during the winter ...

My windows get a lot of condensation throughout the winter season. Exists anything I can do to help? Everyone says to buy replacement windows, however will that truly fix the issue?

This question, regrettably, does not have a simple answer and can't be rejected to some FAQ page, so I figured I would write this post, so I can refer individuals to it in the future and hopefully address all of your concerns when it concerns condensation. Very first thing to remember that in many cases condensation is a normal, daily occurrence and you should not stress over it excessive. Condensation happens when the outside temperature level is dramatically different from the within temperature level and there is a high level of humidity in the space. The larger the difference in temperature level, the less humidity you need in the space to trigger condensation.

Nevertheless, often high interior humidity can cause damage to your house, such as drywall and wood rot and health dangers such as mold growing. What's even worse is this can take place behind the walls where you never ever see it. If you have extreme levels of condensation in your home, you really need to address it.

Another discouraging issue is that sometimes you have 2 houses, precisely the same in construction and place however various levels of condensation. This is due just to family habits and occupants which have a big effect on humidity levels. Cooking, long showers or baths, saunas, medspas, and washing/drying clothes all add to humidity levels. Someone who eats in restaurants and lives alone will have lower humidity levels than a family of 8, who boil big pails of pasta at all 3 meals.

Your very first line of defense is to control your humidity levels, specifically throughout the winter season. You need to make certain you have excellent air circulation throughout your house. Make certain vents aren't obstructed and interior doors stay open. It's also advised to utilize a ceiling fan, keep in mind ceiling fans don't make your house cooler, they simply flow the air that exists, despite the temperature. A low setting on your ceiling fan may actually help you feel warmer in the winter, remember warm air rises. You should also open your blinds; this allows the air caught behind them to distribute easier into the space.

You also require to check all devices and make certain they are vented to the outdoors. Check dryer vents and such to make sure they are free from debris. If you have condensation problems, you must run your exhaust fans a minimum of 15 minutes after you utilize the humidity creating gadget (shower, range top) and you might want to consider running it for 5 minutes prior to you utilize the device also. In extreme cases you can include an air-exchange system to your present heating unit to minimize condensation. See your HVAC expert for additional information.

When it comes to replacement windows, they can have a significant effect. You see, if you currently have aluminum windows, they might be 90% of your problem. Aluminum itself attracts a lot of condensation because of how efficiently it transfers heat. The temperature level of aluminum will rapidly change to the air temperature around it. The colder the outdoors temperature level, the cooler the aluminum window frame and for that reason more condensation will develop on your windows.

Replacing those aluminum windows with vinyl windows, or any replacement windows that aren't aluminum will reduce condensation instantly, and often this is your only choice. Luckily window replacements can spend for themselves within 3 to 5 years just from energy cost savings, specifically in severe weather condition areas. They also contribute to the value of your house. Sometimes in rare cases nevertheless, changing your windows will trigger condensation to appear where it didn't collect in the past. This is because new windows are a lot more energy effective; humid air, that utilized to pass freely in between your old drafty windows and the outdoors, can now get trapped inside.

As an endnote, the most essential reality to keep in mind from this post is that condensation is a humidity issue, not a window problem. If you have extreme condensation in your house you require to resolve your humidity levels first, get that under control and then resolve your windows after your humidity levels are under control."