In what cases modern windows sweat

This question is most often asked by the happy owners of brand-new metal-plastic windows. In wooden structures, "tears" on the glasses appear much less often. With the recent replacement of old structures with PVC, the owners begin to notice moisture on the windows, although it would seem that nothing in the room has changed. Where does the water come from?

In this article, we will tell you what has become the source of new problems and how to avoid them, or even better, prevent them.

Why does condensation settle on the glass?

Let's go back to our owner of brand new plastic windows. He's probably already upset that he was sold defective windows. In fact, that "tears" on the windows are not an indicator of marriage, but on the contrary, evidence of high tightness of the structure. After all, previously wooden windows could absorb (due to their hygroscopicity) moisture or release it outside. Modern windows are airtight: they retain moisture in the room (and with it heat, for example, which is important)!

Let's understand the mechanism of condensation formation:

1. There is an excess of moisture in the air in the room. For example, something is boiling in the kitchen or steam is coming out of the bathroom.
2. This excess, in contact with the cold surface of the window, condenses on the inside in the form of droplets. The window in the apartment is usually the coolest, as it is in contact with the street.
3. The conclusion is that the more additional moisture in the air and the greater the temperature difference with the street, the more intensely the windows will "cry".

Condensation may not settle on the windows all the time, but only in the morning. After all, the temperature outside decreases overnight, which means that the temperature difference is growing. Therefore, indoor plants or an open aquarium can also cause windows to fog up — everything is fine during the day, and in the morning the window fogs up.

Why are "tears" on windows bad?

Many ordinary people will ask – what is the problem? Well, I wiped the window once again in the morning, is it worth worrying? However, it is very important to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the room. Condensation drops, of course, are not the biggest problem, but they clearly show that there is an excess of moisture in the air. How is he dangerous?

• A moist and warm environment is an excellent place for the growth of colonies of pathogenic fungi and microorganisms. Before you know it, mold is already growing in the corners.
• Many finishing materials readily absorb moisture. Over time, the putty and plaster will start to get wet, and it may reach the wallpaper peeling off the walls.
• If condensation is abundant, then water droplets can accumulate on the windowsill, leak onto the floor covering. So you can ruin things that are stored on the windowsill, or even laminate flooring.

As we can see, the consequences are serious. Excessive condensation causes harm not only to your property, but, possibly, to your health.

How can you prevent windows from fogging up?

If there is a temporary excess of moisture (cooking in the kitchen, hot bath) – open and ventilate the room. The steam will simply go outside, remaining in a gaseous state.

In the long term, it is necessary to deal with the causes of the appearance of "tears" on the windows. As we remember, there are two of them – excess moisture in the room and a large temperature difference with the street outside the window.

It is necessary to ask the question of fogged windows from the stage of forming the configuration and installation of windows.

Possible solutions:

• To minimize the temperature difference, order double–glazed windows with low thermal conductivity. A good option is a double–chamber double-glazed window with energy-saving glass and filling the chambers with inert gas. Then the temperature of the inner glass will not differ so much from the temperature of the outside air.
• In order to protect yourself from condensation on the windows in the future, order installation according to DSTU. Three-layer filling of the seam between the frame and the window opening will save you from heat loss and drafts, while contributing to the normalization of humidity.
• In winter, it is necessary to give access to warm air from the batteries to the window surface. If the window sill interferes with the circulation of the ascending flow of warm air, the glass from below will be colder, which means that moisture from the air will settle on it. To cope with this problem, discuss the width of the window sill when ordering and installing. Perhaps it is worth choosing on the windowsill with special grilles that will let warm air from the batteries.

If we did not have time to solve the issue at the installation stage, we will fight with high humidity as the main cause of condensation. Ventilation valves will help in this: it is not always possible to ventilate the room in full. Supply valves (wall or window) will ensure the efficient operation of the exhaust system, which will remove moist air from the room. This solution will have a permanent effect: you will not need to ventilate the room if it is cold or rainy outside.

As you can see, if you ask the question of "crying" windows in advance, the windows will not fog up (and will fog up much less often). But also for owners who have already faced a problem, there is a rational solution. 

You can order a high-quality professional installation of metal-plastic windows by following the link