How To Combat Window Fog
From time to time many of us can probably say that we have seen the windows in our homes foggy with condensation dripping down. What exactly is the cause of foggy windows in our homes and how do we combat this issue? After all nobody likes the look of foggy windows when pulling into your driveway or trying to look out one from the inside of your home.
Back in the day before more modernized energy efficient windows were created the norm on older homes was the drafty window that allowed for air flow both in and out of the home. While this decreased the chance of foggy windows, it also increased the cost of the heating and cooling bill. However, with the further development of energy efficient windows the idea is to keep heat and cool air in your home, as well as heat/cold from outside your home outside. These windows are great because they help lower the costs of both your heating and cooling bill, saving you money. The downfall is that when humidity forms in your home from showering, cooking, or even breathing, these windows don’t allow for the moisture caused by humidity to escape. This in turn creates condensation and those unsightly foggy windows that we don’t like! Many times you will notice that foggy windows tend to occur more in the winter time and colder months. Why is this exactly? When the air is colder outside the humidity in your home naturally increases and causes condensation, because of this it is also harder to keep foggy windows at bay.
A couple of tricks to help minimize this fogginess are:
- Turn off indoor humidifiers
- Make sure to open up your home daily and ventilate it. Fresh air is good for you too!
- If you have exhaust fans run them a little longer than usual
- For those with basements think about installing a basement humidifier
- Make sure your clothes dryer is working properly and is properly vented
While foggy windows are most common in the kitchen and bathroom areas because of the moisture found in the air, foggy windows can also be found on other windows throughout your home. This could potentially mean that you have a more serious issue. In fact there are two types of foggy windows.
Two Types of Foggy Windows
1) External Condensation – When condensation appears on the outside of single window panes
2) Condensation Between Windows – When condensation appears between double window panes.
The problem lays in the condensation found between double window panes. When you find fogginess occurring between window panes this often means that your spacer system is shot and that your seals on your windows are not actually sealing anything. If the condensation is not cleaned up between the double paned windows, it can actually start to erode the grooves in your window glass which will eventually mar your windows appearance permanently.
Why does condensation appear between the window panes?
Double-paned windows, especially those that are vinyl, expand and contract with the weather. Between these double paned windows is Argon gas which helps keep water out and seals intact. After time these seals can pop which causes this gas to escape letting in moisture which quickly turns to condensation. When condensation appears between these double panes of glass it often means that your windows may need to be replaced. In some instances you can drill a hole in the spacers of these window panes and defog them with a cleaning solution and a vacuum. The National Fenestration Rating Council, also known as the NFRC, is set in place to independently test and then certify that certain window types will live up to what they advertise. Having this certification on your windows can help you to decipher what windows will be the best for your home and how long they may last. The council has found that metal/aluminum spacers found on windows will generally last about 3 years before they start to fail and cause fogginess. However in some cases certain types of these windows were found to last over 20 years!
Foggy Window Inspection
All in all foggy windows are not fun and can mean you may have serious window issues. Before you take drastic measures or seek new windows we suggest you call window experts like us and have your windows inspected. If you are in need of new windows we have a vast selection and many types of top of the line and affordable windows to choose from. We are your reputable experienced window experts and will help to guide you in the right direction when choosing new windows. Not to mention if you have energy efficient windows in your home and they have broken seals or spacers and are allowing for foggy windows they aren’t actually acting very energy efficient for your home. Before your heating and cooling bills increase have your windows inspected and get them replaced sooner rather than later if needed. Let us help you combat the fog!
