How does condensation occur?
Cold air from outside fogs up windows at the first rays of sunlight, forming condensation on the outside of the glass. No need to worry. Per contra, water vapours on the window’s upper surfaces is a sign that the window is insulating very well.
The uPvc windows, thanks to the rubber seals, low-e glass, completely cut off air circulation through the window frames. uPVC windows offer high thermal insulation to keep the heat in and to not allow the cold air from the outside to enter the house.
Windows that are exposed to the outside do not heat up from the heat inside. This means that heat loss from the home is minimal. The solution is simple: the water droplets will disappear as soon as the outer pane of glass heats up.
Inside the home, many factors, such as cooking, washing dishes and laundry, cause the condensation. Condensation occurs when the humidity in the house is very high.
A good example of an area with high humidity is the bathroom, when we shower with the window closed. You surely noticed the steam forming in the air!
Because the outside temperature is cooler than the inside temperature, all the steam in the bathroom settles on the cooler surfaces of the room: the glass, tiles, mirror, etc.
This type of condensation forms on the inside of windows. When the window is open, air temperature increases, air can hold more water molecules, and its relative humidity decreases.
It is advisable to have a relative humidity in the house between 30%-50%, higher in winter and lower in summer.
Other issues that cause humidity in the home are:
- When we cook, we release about 4 litres of vapours into the air, humidity that spreads throughout the house by simply opening the kitchen door;
- Washing and drying laundry are other factors that produce humidity;
- Also, plants in the home and their improper placement can be another source of condensation;
- If renovation work has been done late in the autumn – plastering, tiling, and the walls have not had the chance to dry, the humidity level in the house is certain to exceed the maximum allowed value of 50-60%.
Low humidity causes respiratory problems. High humidity leads to many other problems: mould develops, the air becomes unbreathable, and furniture can get damaged. Even worse, high humidity levels affect health – various allergies or even asthma easily occur.
How do we get rid of condensation?
To eliminate the problem of condensation on the interior surfaces of the windows, you simply need to keep the humidity of your home within normal parameters.
The easiest way is to air the room as often as possible, at least 30 minutes a day, especially after activities that produce water vapour: showering, bathing, cooking, washing and drying clothes.
It is advisable to install ventilation systems in bathrooms and kitchens to eliminate the risk of condensation.
Nowadays, the vast majority of PVC joinery is equipped with micro-ventilation systems, which allow the opening of the top of the arch, getting a space with a maximum size of 13 mm, which is enough to ensure proper ventilation of the room without feeling draughts in the room and without a quick change of the temperature in the dwelling.
Below, we present other solutions to avoid excess humidity:
- Painting using anti-mould solutions for walls;
- Purchasing a dehumidifier;
- It is preferable not to dry laundry in the house or to open a window in the room where the laundry is drying;
- When cooking, we recommend opening the window;
- It is preferable to have a extractor fan in the kitchen;
- Air the bathroom after showering;
- Air out of the room you slept in every morning;
- Leave the doors of the rooms in the house open to allow air to circulate;
- Avoid heavy carpets as they attract damp dust and dust mites.
