Window condensation

FreeBear

housebuyer143 said: Arguably the better the window is at keeping out drafts the more condensation you will get. That's why trickle vents are a requirement now in all new windows.

Whilst some in the industry like to claim that trickle vents are mandatory on all new windows, this isn't true. Building Regulations approved document Part F only specifies background ventilation. It does not specifically mention trickle vents. This background ventilation can be achieved in a number of ways (PIV, wall vents, or trickle vents). And if you are replacing fewer than 25% of the windows, trickle vents are not required unless the old ones have them fitted.

Had this argument with a couple of DG suppliers last year before the BR changes came in to force.

ThisIsWeird

ozner said:

Thanks all, I assumed a new window would do the trick but apparently not the case?
i should add windows in other rooms don’t do that (we only had 2 sleepers in one), but they are newer windows (no lead windows). 

im just wondering if it might be that the lead window lets some air through, which gets in contact with the inner window? Which is warmer due to it being inside, and that’s why it happens in those old windows but not in the new ones? 

As said by others, almost certainly it is not as you suspect.
For example, that lead is a stick-on strip, so does not have any bearing at all on the efficiency of these DG units. 
Even a 'blown' DG unit is nigh-on as effective as a good one - the main resulting issue will be the cosmetic matter of it 'misting' inside.
Possibly the latest windows would produce a detectable reduction in the condensation, as they'd probably offer better insulation, so the inside panes would be slightly warmer, but the worrying news then would almost certainly be that this visibly-missing cond would now be forming on the new next-coldest surfaces, and these would almost certainly be the lower areas of the outside walls, especially in corners. There, they'd cause far more harm than nice droplets of water on a pane.

In which direction does this bedroom face? That can sometimes be a factor (tho' my son's bedroom faces south, but is still a lot colder than the others - I don't understand that.)

YoungBlueEyes

We've had new windows fitted here and there's not a trickle vent in any of them. The installer said "all new windows have to have vents - it's the law" but I showed him a link that I'd saved that someone posted on here (can't remember who, sorry) to Fensa's website about it. In a nutshell if your old windows have trickle vents the new ones have to too, but mine didn't so the new ones don't either.

I've never found trickle vents cure condensation in previous houses, so that's why I didn't want them again. Good ventilation ie opening the windows in the morning to let out the overnight build up of moisture is very effective ime. I used to wipe down the windows with a rubbery shower squeegy thing and then wipe the windowsills with a cloth. Doing the whole window with a cloth left mine smeary... 

And I know ThisIsWeird says it often enough, but getting snuggled deep down into a toasty warm bed but keeping the bedroom cool really is heaven. 

koalakoala

I would hate not to have trickle vents.
I would rather be a bit colder than have no fresh air coming in 24/7

FreeBear

YoungBlueEyes said:

We've had new windows fitted here and there's not a trickle vent in any of them. The installer said "all new windows have to have vents - it's the law" but I showed him a link that I'd saved that someone posted on here (can't remember who, sorry) to Fensa's website about it. In a nutshell if your old windows have trickle vents the new ones have to too, but mine didn't so the new ones don't either.

The changes to Building Regulations in respect to windows came in to force 15th June 2022 - If you are having all the windows changed, background ventilation became a requirement regardless of whether you had trickle vents or not.

I dislike the idea of trickle vents for two reasons - You spend thousands draught proofing a property, only to have holes drilled through the frames that let the wind through. The holes also allow copious amounts of traffic noise through (OK, you can get attenuated vents, but...). In addition, once I have insulated around the reveals internally, there is no space to fit a trickle vent in the top of the frame.

YoungBlueEyes

FreeBear said:

YoungBlueEyes said:

We've had new windows fitted here and there's not a trickle vent in any of them. The installer said "all new windows have to have vents - it's the law" but I showed him a link that I'd saved that someone posted on here (can't remember who, sorry) to Fensa's website about it. In a nutshell if your old windows have trickle vents the new ones have to too, but mine didn't so the new ones don't either.

The changes to Building Regulations in respect to windows came in to force 15th June 2022 - If you are having all the windows changed, background ventilation became a requirement regardless of whether you had trickle vents or not.

I dislike the idea of trickle vents for two reasons - You spend thousands draught proofing a property, only to have holes drilled through the frames that let the wind through. The holes also allow copious amounts of traffic noise through (OK, you can get attenuated vents, but...). In addition, once I have insulated around the reveals internally, there is no space to fit a trickle vent in the top of the frame.

Your second paragraph is just what the installer said to me and I agreed with him.

We’re close to a church that rings the hour every hour and he said trickle vents would make a big-ish difference to how loud it would seem. 

housebuyer143

YoungBlueEyes said:

FreeBear said:

YoungBlueEyes said:

We've had new windows fitted here and there's not a trickle vent in any of them. The installer said "all new windows have to have vents - it's the law" but I showed him a link that I'd saved that someone posted on here (can't remember who, sorry) to Fensa's website about it. In a nutshell if your old windows have trickle vents the new ones have to too, but mine didn't so the new ones don't either.

The changes to Building Regulations in respect to windows came in to force 15th June 2022 - If you are having all the windows changed, background ventilation became a requirement regardless of whether you had trickle vents or not.

I dislike the idea of trickle vents for two reasons - You spend thousands draught proofing a property, only to have holes drilled through the frames that let the wind through. The holes also allow copious amounts of traffic noise through (OK, you can get attenuated vents, but...). In addition, once I have insulated around the reveals internally, there is no space to fit a trickle vent in the top of the frame.

Your second paragraph is just what the installer said to me and I agreed with him.

We’re close to a church that rings the hour every hour and he said trickle vents would make a big-ish difference to how loud it would seem. 

When I got my new windows I told the installer I wouldn't be having tickle vents and I have no trickle vents. Okay, so I don't get building regs sign off, it's really of no concern to me.

mexican_dave

I understand that a family if 4 using a house will emit about 7 pints of water just from their breath every night. Maybe that's why we are thirsty when we wake-up. That water is carried in the air and will condense somewhere cool, as pointed out. So if you have guests stop-over this Christmas expect more condensation, and likely in places you haven't seen it before. My double glazing was misting within the glass panes, I changed them for triple glazing on the north elevation only and knocked £500 off my heating bill within the quarter. Interesting I now get cold air condensing on the outside of the glass, as these now emits so little heat, result!

Cotswoldtony

Simple solution for condensation is rock salt a natural dehumidifier absorbs 26% of water. You can purchase 20kg at Travis Perkins for around £10

JohnB47

stuart45 said:

I've still got single glazing, so the windows are often soaked in the mornings. A wife with a few J cloths is quite an efficient dehumidifier.

Did you really mean "a wife" or was that a Freudian slip.