Your single glazed windows probably feel very cold to the touch. When warm, moist air touches the cold surface of the glass the water vapour turns into little droplets, this is condensation.
Single glazed windows will inevitably cause condensation over the colder months as the glass cannot warm up. Replacing single glazing with double or triple glazing will give the window an internal layer of glass, insulated from the temperatures outside, which can warm up with your room and reduce condensation.
Open the windows
Keeping your window slightly open through the night will release warm, damp air from your home and give you a good chance of getting rid of condensation on windows. Use trickle vents and lock features to keep your window secure while allowing air to circulate the room.
As the mornings get colder, you may have noticed condensation forming on your window panes. You might be surprised to know that it's completely normal. In fact it could be a sign that your new windows are doing their job.
Windows are steaming up inside
Condensation on the inside of your windows occurs when moisture from inside your home hits the coldest point of contact, which is usually your windows, and forms condensation.
If condensation has formed on the inside of your window, this is perfectly normal. In fact, this is a sign that your windows are working properly so you shouldn't be worried that your new windows have condensation.
When warm, moist air comes into contact with cold window glass, water droplets form on the window's surface. Plastic film stops the formation of condensation on the interior of your window glass by creating a barrier between the air and the glass.
How do I get rid of condensation? To get rid of the moisture that's already accumulated, there is a simple home-made cleaning solution you can use. Just combine two cups of water with two cups of white vinegar and a few drops of washing up liquid, ideally in a spray bottle.
The reason it happens is because the external air is warmer than the temperature of the glazed pane's surface – and the dew point of the air is higher. It is more likely to occur at night or early in the morning when temperatures are low, particularly if there is a clear sky and almost no wind.
Moisture between window panes is not something you can control. If you see condensation in between pieces of insulated glass on dual-pane or triple-pane windows, it's actually an indication of glass seal failure. The performance of your windows has been compromised, so something will need to be replaced.
Keep the thermostat at the same temperature in every room, and if there's a room in your home that you don't use often, keep the door closed. You should also try to open the windows in that room for a couple of hours each day to prevent condensation and damp from forming.
Simply raising the temperature in your rooms while leaving windows slightly ajar will allow heat to circulate. Which may tackle your condensation problem, while also ensuring you stay warm as you try to sleep.
One of the best solutions to condensation is to heat up your home. Central heating is a perfect way to heat your home and stop fluctuating temperatures that cause condensation.
The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out.
Dehumidifiers alone can reduce condensation, but they won't stop it. In order to avoid condensation, a dehumidifier must operate in harmony with adequate indoor ventilation and sufficient air exchange with the outdoors.
If your old windows were drafty, those cracks did more than just let in the wind; they allowed excess moisture to escape outdoors. Your new windows are better insulated, so indoor humidity can't escape. Windows do not cause condensation and they also can't eliminate condensation.