Condensation or lack of it.

27col

There have been many threads on here started by people with condensation problems. It would be interesting to hear from people who do not have condensation problems. Myself being one of them.
I built my present house in 1977. It is detached (about 2000sq.ft). It was insulated with urea-formaldehyde foam injected from the inside during building. It has doubled glazed windows and doors and a weather porch over both front and back entrances.
None of the windows have trickle vents ( I was surprised to discover this.)
No windows are ever opened for ventilation in the winter. I have always found that just going in and out provides quite a good amount of air change.
It has good roof insulation, recently doubled in thickness.
There are no air-bricks, as the floors are solid.
The bathroom has no window but does have a 9" extractor fan which stays on for a few minutes after the light goes off. There is no condensation in the bathroom, well, maybe just enough to fog my glasses.
We may get slight condensation on the kitchen window occasionally but not enough for water to run down.
The house is normally quite warm and costs are reasonable to heat it.
The point that I am trying to make is that presumably I must be doing something right.
My first house had no wall or roof insulation or double glazing. Neither did it have CH. It also had air-bricks and a suspended wood floor.
What it did have was severe condensation. When I self-built my present house I remedied all the above problems and have never had condensation since.
I have never understood the advice to have lots of ventilation, in my eyes, all that does is to ensure that the house has rooms that are at the same cold temperature as the outside air. Thus providing many cold surfaces for moisture to condense onto. No amount of insulation is going to do any good unless there is some heat for the insulation to retain. The secret is to have a good source of heat. I appreciate that some people will have financial and architectural problems which will prevent them affording this.
Other opinions on this subject will be most gratefully received.

CharlieBilly

I think the secret to lack of condensation is combination heat, insulation, air flow

Just breathing can cause condensation just look at your bedroom windows on a chilly morning, having enough heat can reduce it as the warmer the air the more air can absorb moisture. Allowing vents also helps as do insulation as this prevents moisture in the air to condense on cold surfaces, like walls, windows, ceilings sometimes

Quasar

I used to have enormous condensation pools on my window sills, as I have huge windows. Since installing double-glazing there is only a tiny bit condensation now and then, in between the panes.

Chippy_Minton_2

Quasar wrote: »

Since installing double-glazing there is only a tiny bit condensation now and then, in between the panes.

That doesn't sound right.

Quasar

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

That doesn't sound right.

Dunno if it's right or not. But the flat is much warmer in the winter and I have no moisture on the inside.

bambibashercol

if you have condensation between panes of glass on double glazing then the seal on the glazing has gone and to fix this means replacing the glass unit.

Quasar

bambibashercol wrote: »

if you have condensation between panes of glass on double glazing then the seal on the glazing has gone and to fix this means replacing the glass unit.

Thanks. I'll look into that.

deano72_2

funny enough just had new windows fitted,i get condensation on the outside,only the 2 main bay windows tho!yep the house is warmer on the inside that it is on the outside!

katies_mum

We had condensation on the outside of our windows yesterday morning - its the first time it has happened.

27col

Bump! Come on someone. I cannot be the only one who does not suffer at all from condensation.
Incidentally, I think that I am right in saying that even though the seal has gone. That does not mean that the double glazing is ineffective. Just that you will have a water mist visible between the panes at times.

W.W.J.D

I think if the seal has gone it will act more like secondry glazing. Everyone used to talk about double glazing early on. Secondry Glazing used to be better for sound insulation but not so good for heat. I find keeping all the windows open with no heat helps no end for no condensation?