Condensation in shed?

moneysaver1978

Went to the shed a few minutes ago to collect a screw driver, and noticed that the window is very heavily condensed.

However, the roof inside seems dry and all good. I do have standard garden stuff along with a few tins of paint.

There’re a few gaps around the doors (poor fitting!). I’m undecided whether to replace/adjust the doors or fix something to the gaps… or even replace the shed (although the shed seems sound and purchased only 2.5 years ago according to the previous owner).

Is there anything I could do to reduce condensation, is this normal? Should I be concerned for the electrics like lawn mower?

Curious what the folks here have done to make sure the shed is bone dry inside!

subjecttocontract

I've never done anything to mine to ensure it is dry, it's always been dry. It's 25 years young, has the odd gap around the doors, I usually leave a widow open thru spring & summer so it doesn't get to hot inside but it's all closed up for winter and dry.
* Do you have anything wet of damp inside ?
* Does it have a lot of glass area ?
* Are you sure there isn't a leak ?

grumbler

moneysaver1978 said:

Went to the shed a few minutes ago to collect a screw driver, and noticed that the window is very heavily condensed.

Does it worry you when your car windows are 'heavily condensed' outside?

It's a shed, and it's almost impossible to make it dryer inside than outside. As a result, condensation inside will be the same as outside, possibly with some delay because the temperature inside drops slower. Windows are the first places where condensation becomes visible - because they are colder and non-porous. The small volume of air inside becomes drier because of this resulting in smaller amount of condensation on other items inside.

ThisIsWeird

Hi M1978.
It's almost certainly nothing to worry about. It would only be a cause for concern if you had something in there producing moisture, such as, say, fresh green timber logs, soaked cushions from your garden swing, that sort of stuff. Or, as said above, a leak.
Other than that, it's almost certainly a temporary issue, based on ambient temps and humidity.
A garden shed will typically be at a similar humidity level to what's outside, except usually a bit better as it won't be wet from rain. However, changes in humidity levels will tend to be delayed, as this relies on air movement. So, it's normal to find last night's condensation - which would also have been present on the outsides of your house walls and windows, but has since been evaporated away by the day's increasing temps and windy wind, to hang around in your enclosed shed.
So, unless your door is so gappy that it actually allows rain in, then such air gaps are good. Ventilation is the key.
You can prove this easily by comparing how long it takes for the cond to clear in your closed shed, to it with an opened door.

Lorian

Be aware if it's water based paint stored in there when it gets sub zero it will destroy it.

Eldi_Dos

I seem to remember beading with grooves on it to help run off the condensation, it would cut down on puddling and black mold forming.

moneysaver1978

Thank you all! I’ll take a look tomorrow and double check that there are no leaks, etc. No cushions, logs, or anything like that

I’ll also post some photos of the gaps of the doors.

Unsure if it matters but the window is cheap plastic (not glass and quite flimsy) - is it worth thinking about removing and covering the gap with wood panels?

moneysaver1978

As promised!

Gaps of the doors - should I block the gaps or readjust the doors?

No condensation inside or anything wet. The edges of the roof seem wet but it’s completely dry underneath and inside.

Anything I could or should do here?

Thanks again!

grumbler

Whatever you do or don't do, if there are no obvious leaks, humidity inside will be the same as outside. 
Pay attention only to possible leaks. I see only one suspicious place - the door at the bottom.

ThisIsWeird

That all looks fine.

The only thing to be wary of, is rain water getting in. But there's no sign of that (perhaps a water stain on the inside of the door?)

Other than that, just keep it ventilated. Draughty! These door gaps are fine - great, even - as long as they don't actually let water inside. The more through-draught you have, the better. I am not kidding