Window condensation

“What is the deal with window condensation?” This is a question that I hear pretty frequently especially in the colder months. Unfortunately, I even hear it sometimes after a client has already gotten replacement windows. Basically, window condensation occurs when warm, moist air on the inside of your home cools and contracts and its moisture condenses. Most of the time this will happen on the coldest surface in your home which often is the glass of your windows. “Does this mean my windows are bad?” No, most of the time it does not mean that. By getting replacement windows you will have a warmer temperture on that interior glass surface, therefore reducing the likelihood of condensation, however if your home is damp enough, even the best windows in the world can develop condensation. This could be a sign of a moisture problem in your home. Sources of moisture are people, pets, plants, cooking, etc. Problematic sources of moisture could be basement issues, as well as improper ventilation in the attic or other areas. Getting your home completely sealed with new windows, insulation, etc. came sometimes make these problems appear worse as moisture used to be able to escape through those same areas.
“What can be done to address this?” There are a few things that you can do to regulate the level of moisture in your home. 1: Increase ventilation. Make sure attic vents are open and clear, make sure all exhaust fans from kitchens and bathrooms are properly ventilated out of the house (not just into the attic). 2: Monitor the humidity level in your home with a humidistat or humidity monitor. If necessary, run a dehumidifier in the basement to keep the indoor humidity level around 30-35% or less in winter. A few other small things would be to group plants in one room and avoid over-watering, and also keep window treatments open when possible to allow warm air to circulate across the glass and keep its temperture up as high as possible.