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Foggy windows can be more than an eye-sore. Learn how to prevent mold-growth and window damage with Pella’s high-performance windows.
Living in the Midwest means temperature fluctuations are simply a fact of life. Many of us have spent years believing that obstructed views caused by fogging and condensation are just part of the cost of living, but that’s not true. In fact, this trapped moisture shouldn’t be ignored, not only because you deserve to see clearly out of your windows, but because that same moisture can cause damage to your investment.
Today, we will discuss practical solutions to ensure that your windows are protected from the damage condensation can cause. Don’t tolerate anything less than the view you’ve paid for! Manage moisture and protect your windows with these simple steps.
What Causes Window Condensation?
There are a few possible answers, and what causes your condensation will affect how you treat it. First, determine if you’re dealing with interior condensation from indoor humidity, exterior condensation from weather changes, or condensation between the glass, often caused by a failing seal. Once that is determined, we can narrow down the reason your windows are fogging. Some common causes include:
- Poor Ventilation
Laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are most susceptible to this issue. And for that reason, most of these rooms are equipped with an overhead fan to disperse the additional humidity from these spaces. - High Humidity
A change in weather can mean increased occurrence of fogging. When cold outdoor weather meets the warmth of your home, condensation can occur. - Inefficient or Ineffective Windows
A faulty seal can allow moisture where it doesn’t belong, leaving you with a damp, streaky problem that can be hard to reach, especially when it occurs between the glass of your windows.
Steps for Immediate Results
Catching condensation early can help you avoid potentially dangerous mold or costly repairs. Luckily, there are steps you can take today that will help mitigate damage.
Increase Ventilation
Improving the airflow within a room where condensation is a problem is a simple step that can drastically reduce the accumulation of moisture, not only on your windows, but throughout the room. This can be as simple as opening a window or using an exhaust fan in rooms of high humidity.
If you have blinds or shades covering your windows – you can also open them up for a while to allow some air to reach the window, which can help dry up condensation.
Check Your Curtains
Curtains can change the entire feel of a room, and we don’t just mean aesthetically. The wrong fabric can trap moisture near the window. Choose a breathable thermal material when selecting your window treatments, which can protect against warping.
Employ a Dehumidifier
For chronically humid rooms, a dehumidifier can keep moisture at bay.
Vent
Installing vents over burners and ovens, clothes dryers, and near showers and baths will redirect steam outside before it causes issues inside. Be sure that your fireplace dampers are open, and ventilating louvers in attics and crawlspaces are appropriately sized and open.
Find Your Culprit
While proximity to a shower or dryer can cause excess humidity in some parts of your home, they don’t explain fogging in other rooms. For this, you’ll have to do a little detective work. Plants and aquariums are suspect number one, and should be moved away from windows if they are causing problems. Pet feeders and water bowls should also be kept further from the glass to prevent moisture accumulation.
Adjust Thermostat Settings
Extreme shifts in temperature can wreak havoc on your home’s humidity, which can damage not only your windows, but lead to mold in carpets and walls. It can also cause warping of precious photos and artwork. Keeping your indoor temperature and humidity settings regulated can aid in keeping excess moisture from accumulating.
Long-Term Solutions to Prevent Window Condensation
- Seal Leaks and Cracks
Proper installation ensures that your windows seal tightly (thank you Pella Expert Installers!), which not only blocks air leaks, but moisture as well. Sealing any leaks or cracks surrounding your window may solve your condensation problem. - Maintain Window Seals
Regular inspection can keep weather stripping and caulking from failing. Not only will this keep the moisture out, but it will also prevent energy loss. - Invest in High-Performance Glass
Pella’s Advanced Glass technology minimizes condensation buildup, stopping water damage and irritating fogging before it starts. High performance glass stops heat from escaping to the exterior of your window, which prevents condensation from forming. - Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows
Pella’s Energy-Efficient Windows are often touted for their low environmental impact and their energy-saving benefits. Triple Pane Low-E Insulated Glass with Argon windows are insulated to protect you from the elements – including weather-related condensation.
When to Call in an Expert
There are so many methods of treating and preventing “fogging” of windows; do you really need a house call to manage this issue? Well, maybe. Condensation is a symptom, often of a minor issue you can handle with the tips we’ve already discussed, but it’s not the problem. If condensation persists, you should call in an expert to assess the following:
- Persistent fogging that can’t be wiped away
- Fogging or moisture between the panes of glass
- Shipping pads that have been left behind after installation
- Drafts
- Visible separation of the seal
Broken seals compromise your window’s insulative properties, leading to a damp and drafty home. This isn’t only unsightly, but uncomfortable, and potentially expensive as energy costs rise to maintain your home’s internal temperature in the Midwest’s often-extreme weather. Pella’s replacement windows are prepared to put an end to condensation issues and enhance your home’s efficiency and security.
Year Round Maintenance Tips From the Experts
It’s important to be very familiar with your home and its working parts. Put a seasonal inspection on your to-do list, with a reminder to check your windows for signs of condensation, leaks, residues, or wear-and-tear. Clean each part of the window regularly, which will keep residue from causing stickiness and keep your window performing its best. If indoor humidity remains an ongoing problem, monitor it using a hygrometer to ensure that humidity stays between 30% and 50%.
Professional Installation and Maintenance
While Pella Windows are top of the line and of the highest quality, professional installation is ideal to ensure the efficiency of your windows. Our Pella Care Guarantee covers your product and installation for up to ten years. You can rest easy knowing that your window and the work that goes into it come with a full warranty and our personal promise of excellence.
Why Choose Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha and Lincoln?
Our team are proven experts in both energy efficiency and style, with over 150 patents for innovation in our field. Since 1925 (100 years and counting!), we have been leading the industry not only in customer satisfaction, but in the effort to improve the way we serve our clients and the planet we share.
Our sales team and technicians live and work locally, ensuring that everyone on our staff understands the climate and community they serve and is ready to meet the challenges our customers are facing each day. You can expect professional installation and maintenance of the highest quality materials on the market, with both the skill and courtesy that has made Nebraska famous for “nice.”
Schedule a Consultation Today
If it’s time to consider upgrading your windows, or if you’re ready for a FREE in-home window and door inspection, visit Pella of Omaha and Lincoln or call (402) 331-9225 today.
