Condensation Advice & Causes

Condensation Facts, Help and Advice

Condensation on the inner glass surface

Condensation of atmospheric moisture on a surface can only occur when the ‘dew point’ temperature of the air in contact with the surface exceeds the temperature of the surface itself.

The surface temperature depends upon:
• The thermal transmittance of the glazing
• The indoor air temperature
• The outdoor air temperature

Whereas the dew point depends upon:
• The temperature and relative humidity of the indoor air

The relationship between these four variables (inside temperature, outside temperature, thermal transmittance and relative humidity) can be illustrated in condensation prediction charts. If any three variables are known, the fourth can be derived.

These figures relate to ‘normal’ exposure conditions. For vertical glazing where the direction of heat flow from the warm room to the colder outside environment is horizontal.

The onset of condensation on the interior glass surface can be controlled either by reducing the humidity, thereby lowering the ‘dew point’, or by raising the inside glass surface temperature. The latter can be achieved by increasing the insulation of the window, for example by the use of Pilkington Insulating Units incorporating Pilkington K Glass.

Condensation on external glass surfaces

External condensation (dew) can occasionally occur on highly insulated units in temperate climates. Such occurrences will only happen on cloud-free nights when there is little or no wind and usually when a warm front follows a dry spell.

The combination of several factors, namely external air temperature, localised microclimate and the thermal transmittance of the glazing itself may all contribute to the formation of external condensation. As a consequence of variable temperatures and localised conditions, it is possible to experience a situation whereby both clear and ‘misted’ windows exist at the same time in the same development.

This phenomenon is influenced by the thermal insulation of the glazing. Single glazing offers poor thermal insulation therefore heat escaping from inside a room readily passes through the glass to the outside environment. Consequently, the external surface temperature of single glazing is usually higher than the ‘dew point’ temperature of the outside air, thus prohibiting the formation of condensation on that surface.

With the conventional double glazing, the thermal insulation is improved, but sufficient heat still escapes through the glass so as to warm the external surface of the outermost glass, thereby precluding the formation of condensation in most circumstances.

In common with other low emissivity glasses, PILKINGTON K GLASS reflects heat back into the room and as such, the quantity of heat passing through the glazing is reduced. Consequently the external pane of low emissivity double-glazing is not warmed by escaping heat (which instead is retained within the room) and therefore presents a colder surface to the outside environment.

In such cases, and in situations where the external glass surface temperature is lower than the ‘dew point’ of the air, (and when weather conditions are comparable to those mentioned previously) condensation can form on the external glass surface.

However, the combination of these contributing factors is largely unpredictable and therefore it is not possible to quantify the number of occasions when external condensation will occur. Instances of external condensation are relatively rare and in all cases, it will be a transient effect. Upon any one of the climatic variables changing, the condensation on the glazing will usually dissipate within a short period of time in much the same way as morning dew.

Condensation a problem?

Condensation on windows, and the damage it does to paint work, curtains, wall coverings and window fittings, are problems frequently encountered in all types of building.

The increased incidence of condensation in today’s buildings is the direct result of changes in modern living conditions, which have led to warmer and more comfortable rooms.

In many homes, traditional open fires have been replaced with sophisticated heating systems, ill-fitting doors and window frames have been provided with draught excluders, floors have been completely covered by fitted carpets, while ceiling heights have been lowered and the space between loft joists filled with insulating material.

These modern aids to home comfort have created rooms, which are warmer but often have less ventilation and fewer air changes. The result is that the water vapour produced by normal living activities is no longer able to escape up the chimney or through doorjambs, window joints and other outlets.

In certain circumstances, all these aids to comfort combine to create ideal conditions for the formation of condensation.

The problem is - how to reduce condensation without sacrificing the benefit of increased comfort.

When double-glazing is used in conjunction with heating and controlled ventilation, it helps sole this problem - and its effectiveness will be even greater if the elementary precautions referred to in this paper are adopted.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the water, which results from the conversion of water vapour in the atmosphere. The air, which surrounds us in our homes, always contains water vapour, which is usually invisible. A typical example is the steam cloud from a kettle, which rapidly becomes invisible - it has in fact been absorbed into the atmosphere.

The warmer the air, the more water vapour it can hold - but there is a limit to the amount it can hold for a given temperature. When that limit is reached, the air is said to be ’saturated’. When saturated air comes into contact with a surface which is at a lower temperature than itself, the air is chilled at the point of contact and sheds its surplus water vapour on that surface - initially in the form of a mist and, if excessive, eventually in the form of droplets of moisture. An example of this is when a person breathes onto a mirror: condensation occurs because the exhaled air is saturated and its temperature is higher than that of the mirror (which is at room temperature).

Some Examples of Where Water Vapour Comes From

Breathing: Two sleeping adults produce 1.5 pints of moisture 8 hours, which is absorbed as water vapour into the atmosphere.

Cooking: Steam clouds can be seen near saucepans and kettles, and then seem to disappear. The clouds have been absorbed into the atmosphere. The cooker itself may be a source of water vapour: e.g. An average gas cooker could produce approximately 0.2 gallons of moisture per hour.

Washing Up: The vapour clouds given off by the hot water are rapidly absorbed into the atmosphere.

Bathing, Laundry and Wet Outer Clothing:These are often the major sources of water vapour in the home
Heaters: A flue less gas heater can produce up to 2/3 pint of moisture per hour. Paraffin heaters produce nine pints of moisture for every eight pints of fuel burned.

Indoor Plants: A Frequently unrecognised, but nevertheless, significant source of water vapour.

New Property: The bricks, timber, concrete and other materials in an average 3-bedroomed house absorb about 1500 gallons of water during construction. Much of this is dissipated into the indoor atmosphere during the drying out period

Factors governing condensation

The three main factors governing condensation are: -

1. Water vapour content of the air
2. Inside room temperature
3. Outside temperature

The first two factors are normally controllable.

1. Water Vapour in the Air

This is produced by normal living activities such as washing, cooking, bathing etc. and can be controlled by the use of extractor fans, cowlings and ventilation at appropriate.

2. Inside Room Temperature

This can be controlled by replacing single glazing with double glazing, thereby maintaining a higher surface temperature of the glass on the room side, and by increasing the air temperature to enable it to hold more water vapour without condensation.

3. Outside Temperature

This cannot be controlled, but it can be countered when it fails by increasing the indoor heating.

How double glazing helps

Double glazing is an insulator, designed to reduce the loss of heat by conduction from the inside to the outside of a building. Under average exposure conditions, and provided the room is heated, the room side surface temperature of the inner glass will be higher than would be the case with single glazing. The likelihood of condensation occurring when warm moist air in the room comes into contact with the surface of the glass is thereby reduced.

It must be remembered, however, that double-glazing is an insulator and not a source of heat: nor does it control the amount of water vapour in the air. When rooms are inadequately heated and there is little heat to retain, double-glazing cannot fulfil the purpose for which it was installed.

For example, one reason why condensation forms in, say, a bedroom not normally occupied, is that many householders for reasons of economy do not heat such rooms. Consequently the surface temperature of the inner glass gets very close to the outside temperature. In addition, the windows in such rooms are generally kept closed, but water vapour, generated elsewhere in the house, will find its way in and then cannot escape. Thus the two conditions necessary to produce condensation - a low glass surface temperature, and high water vapour content in the atmosphere - are present.

The location of condensation on the glass

When attempting to reduce the degree of condensation it is important to note on which surface of the glass it forms: its location indicates the cause, and so points to the solution.

Condensation on the room side surface of the inner glass means that the temperature of the glass surface is too low given the water vapour content of the atmosphere in the room.

Condensation within the cavity of a hermetically sealed unit denotes a failure of the seal.

In other forms of double glazing, condensation on the cavity surface of the outer glass generally (but not invariably) indicates excessive leakage of moist air from the room into the cavity.

Condensation can occur occasionally on the cavity surface of the inner glass when the sun is shining on the window. This means that something in the airspace itself, such as an unsealed wooden separator or desiccant, contains moisture. It should be noted, however, that this source can also be responsible for condensation on the cavity surface of the outer glass.

How to reduce condensation

(a) When formed on the room side surface of the inner glass

• Provide natural ventilation through an opening section of the window, or through a proprietary ventilating unit, or through an airbrick.
• Where there is no open fire, or where existing flues have been blocked off (and cannot be unblocked), ensure that wall vents are fitted and kept clear.
• Open at least one window in each room for some part of the day to permit a change of air.
• Ensure ventilation of all rooms where gas or oil heaters are used.
• Fix hoods over cookers and other equipment producing steam, and ventilate them to the outside air.
• Draught proof internal doors and keep them closed, to prevent transfer of air with a high water vapour content from the main moisture producing rooms - kitchens, bathrooms and drying rooms. (it should be borne in mind that water vapour does not remain in the room where it is first generated, but tends to migrate all over the house because:
• The water vapour pressure in the original room will be higher than elsewhere and so the moist air will be forced out into the rooms with a lower pressure, and
• Convection currents will carry it through the house.
• Increase slightly the air temperature in the house.
• In cold weather, keep some form of heating on permanently in the house.
• Wherever practicable, fix radiators under windows to maintain the temperature of the inner glass at a reasonable level.
• Condensation can be caused by, isolating the inner glass from the warm room air with heavy curtains when drawn. To allow free passage of warm air to the glass, position curtains 15cm to 20cm away from the window, and ensure there are sufficient gaps at the top and bottom to permit continuous circulating (holes should be drilled along the top of any pelmet box used).

(b) When formed on the Cavity Side Surface of the Outer Glass

This cannot occur with correctly functioning sealed units. For secondary sash systems proceed as follows:

• Make the seal of the secondary frame and the sealing of the secondary glass to this frame, as near airtight as possible. Particular attention should be paid to all joints.
• Drill breather holes through the primary frame to connect the air cavity to the drier outside. Holes should have a diameter of 10mm. If the frame is made of wood it is better to drill a hole large enough to accommodate a metal tube of 10mm internal diameter. Two holes about 50cm apart should be sufficient for windows up to 1m wide: more should be drilled for larger windows. A simple filter, such as glass wool, should be inserted to exclude dirt and insects.

(c) When formed in the Cavity when the Sun Shines

• Remove the secondary pane.
• Remove and discard any desiccant.
• Drill holes to connect the cavity to the outside as described above in paragraph (b).
• Dry out the frame area. Care must be taken not to apply concentrated heat close to the original glass.
• Seal up any holes or cracks with compound or wood filler.
• Seal completely all-wooden surfaces in the cavity with proprietary wood sealer.
• Replace the secondary pane, taking care to make the seal and all joints as near as possible.

Summary about condensation

Double-glazing cannot cause condensation. By acting as a heat barrier and providing an inner pane, which is considerably warmer than the outer pane, condensation is reduced.

Modern buildings are designed to eliminate draughts and do not have the natural ventilation that some older houses have with their chimneys and ill-fitting doors and windows. Houses have been completely sealed by the installation of cavity wall insulation; loft insulation, double-glazing, and draught proofing throughout are likely to become moisture traps. In such cases, condensation is a ventilation problem. Provided the rooms are heated normally, the solution will probably be found providing controlled ventilation.

In the case of older ‘unsealed’ buildings, the dominant factor is likely to be the indoor temperature, and additional heat, or the introduction of localised heat near the windows, will probably provide the answer.

Bathrooms

• Stop water vapour finding its way into the rest of the house, particularly during and after bathing.
• After bath or shower, close the door and open a window for a few minutes. Position a radiator, or heated towel - rail, under the window.

Bedrooms

• Check points under "Living Rooms", particularly with respect to the position of curtains and the provision of vents.
• If possible extend the central heating programme to compensate for the night-time drop in external temperature and the increase in water vapour caused by the occupants breathing.
• Bedroom windows should be opened during the day to allow at least one complete air change.

Living Rooms

• Allow the room’s warmth to reach the windows. Position heaters under the windows, and use fittings that hold the curtains at least 15 cm to 20 cm away from the glass to allow free movement of warm air.
• Open windows for at least a few minutes each day to permit air changes.
• Where open fires are not provided, or existing flues are blocked off, see that wall vents are fitted and kept clear. When a gas fire has been installed in an open fire aperture, the back plate should have vent holes below the fire, unless this is provided for in the fire design.
• Where possible, avoid glazed or non-absorbent wall coatings as these can promote condensation on walls.

Kitchens and Laundries

• Close internal doors and keep a window open. Alternatively install extractor fans or cooker hoods, ventilated to the outside air.

For free expert help and advice from an experienced Hazlemere home improvement consultant, or to request a free no obligation home consultation, FREEPHONE 08000 825825 or email info@hazlemere.co.uk