Roomside condensation is caused by excess humidity in your home. Windows and doors themselves do not cause condensation, but they are a good indicator of humidity levels that are too high. High humidity can cause serious moisture problems in a home and should be corrected. Keep in mind that new homes release moisture from construction materials through several heating and cooling seasons. Below is a quick guide to appropriate humidity levels:
Outside
Temperature F° |
Inside
Humidity |
20 F to 40 F |
Not over 40% |
10 F to 20 F |
Not over 35% |
0 F to 10 F |
Not over 30% |
-10 F to 0 F |
Not over 25% |
If your window has a interior removable panel, you can help
prevent condensation between the panes of glass by making sure the
breather holes in the sash are free of dirt and debris. Use a pipe
cleaner, nail or wire to clean out the breather holes. Make sure
the clips are properly secured when the removable glass panel is
installed.
If your windows have condensation on the exterior, you have nothing
to worry about. Exterior condensation on windows actually means
that the windows are doing their job properly. The more energy-efficient
your windows are, the more likely they are to experience this exterior
condensation. The only way to reduce exterior condensation is to
increase the temperature of the outer glass surface above the dew
point of the air. You can try increasing the temperature inside
your home or opening the blinds, shades or drapes, but you may not
be able to eliminate it entirely.
Fogging between the panes of sealed insulating glass indicates a problem with a seal, not excess humidity. Contact Woodcraft Supplies for information
If your window or door has a removable interior glass panel, remove
it to clean the inside. If the removable panel has a blind or shade mounted on it, pull
it up and secure the cord to make it easier to handle.
To wash interior glass, including both sides of any removable interior
panels, use a premixed vinegar-based cleaning solution (or make
your own with 10% vinegar and 90% water) and a soft, lint–free towel
(paper or cloth), or you may use Sparkle Glass Cleaner (purple
liquid). Rinse with clear water if streaks remain after cleaning. Do not use brand-name glass cleaners that
are ammonia- or alcohol-based. They may leave streaks or
produce a film that attracts moisture or dust.
To clean the outside glass surfaces, use a vinegar-based solution
(as previously described) and a squeegee. If streaks still appear
after a thorough cleaning, rinse the glass with clear water. To
remove grease or sealant on the glass, use mineral spirits sparingly,
then wash with a vinegar-based cleaning solution.
To remove markings from grease, oil, tape adhesive, crayons or paint,
or marks from plastics which may have come in contact with the glass,
apply a small amount of a mild abrasive to a clean, wet cloth, or
apply a solvent or mineral spirits to a clean, dry cloth or towel,
and rub on the areas of glass that need spot cleaning. Wipe clean
using a dry, clean, lint-free towel or cloth. Then clean the glass
as mentioned above.
DO NOT USE A RAZOR BLADE TO SCRAPE OFF STUBBORN
MATERIALS!
DOING SO MAY LEAVE PERMANENT MARKS ON THE GLASS OR SCRATCHES
THAT COULD CAUSE GLASS BREAKAGE.
