New dbl/trpl glzg? Solve condensation problem?

no1catman

We live in a 1939 semi, that is situated on a four lane dual-carriageway. Its speed limit is 40 mph, but traffic starts to build up and get noisy from 5.30 am.
Problem - with the front bedroom, we get a lot of condensation - forms little pools of water on the windowsill.
Advice, can be - open a window slightly for ventilation - fine but surely that defeats the idea of double-glazing - warmer & quieter.

Current double-glazing could be twenty years old. Would we still get the condensation, if we went for new windows? And if we did, how much better would triple-glazing be, over double?

magn8p

As far as I know switching to new windows double or triple glazing is not going to help you solve the condensation issue - efficiency of the window is directly proportional to the air tightness and heat/cold resistance.

Assuming the condensation doesn't pile up near your window, the humidity in the air will be absorbed by your clothes, duvet, ceiling (which in turn leads to moulds) etc., It's also very unhealthy to constantly breathe air with high humidity.

The only solution (apart from opening your windows from time to time - something that you aren't willing to do) is to use a dehumidifier like http://amzn.to/2AaG7gl This model is quiet and also has a sensor and it switches on when humidity crosses the threshold.

All the best.

vw100

New double or triple glazing will have some benefit. The glass and frames should be better quality and more energy efficient.

However as part of new regs the window frames should have trickle vents to aid ventilation. On the downside it is a way for noise to come through and out from the inside.

Your best bet is to take measures to reduce humidity indoors, such as close the bathroom door, fit a extractor, close the kitchen door when cooking etc. and also buy a dehumidifier.

TheCyclingProgrammer

It may do. I’ve offended wondered myself as we have some condensation in our front (North East facing) windows. We eliminated the worst of it by reducing humidity in the house by a combination of good habits and using a dehumidifier. Before we started using a dehumidifier we’d sometimes have the whole window covered in condensation in the morning. But we do still get an inch or so now even with relative humidity in the high 50s which isn’t excessive by any means.

Anecdotally, we only ever get condensation on the older windows in our house, which were installed about 15 years ago before building regs changed. Where there is newer glazing that meets modern regs (a 12 year old conservatory and the glazing in our 2 year old composite doors), we only ever get condensation on the outside of the glass, which is how it should be (as the inside of the glass is warmer). Just by feel the glass is noticeably warmer on the inside.

I suspect in our case changing the glass in our front windows, which are the coldest, would help and eliminate that last little bit of condensation we still get but I’m not sure it’s worth the expense when we can just ventilate, dehumidify and wipe it off in the morning, annoying as it is. But there’s no guarantee that simply changing the glass will work - the efficiency of modern windows is the product of both the glass and the frames and with new glass in old frames there may still be a cold bridging effect that results in condensation near the frame.

I wouldn’t even consider it until you’ve measured your indoor humidity levels and taken steps to reduce it first if it’s over 60% in the rooms affected.

EssexExile

You don't have to have trickle vents in new windows if your old ones didn't have them.

1939 built - is it solid walls? If you improve the windows you may get condensation elsewhere, better to lower the moisture content as others have said.

no1catman

The windows in the front (bay) bedroom, are the worst, often with pools of water on the window-sill. The small bedroom nearby also in the front, gets some, the small landing window gets gets a small amount - about an inch on the bottom, but the large picture window in the back bedroom - none at all.

Dehumidifier may well be a good idea, though Partner's Mother used one for a short time but stopped - felt it made the place colder!?

TheCyclingProgrammer

My dehumidifier heats up the room.

rosie383

Something that may help OP is to get a window vac. Good as a short term solution that won’t break the bank.
I got one on offer in Lidl a few weeks ago for £14 and it’s great. Our bedroom windows are by far the worst and I can fill the canister on the vac up to max just vacuuming those windows. At least the water is going down the sink rather than evaporating back into the room.
I get some condensation in the other rooms so vac them maybe every few days.