If frost or ice forms on the inside of your windows, it can damage your home and impact your family’s health. Here’s what you should know if you have frosty windows, including what you can do to prevent condensation from forming on them.
Causes
In winter, cold outside air cools your windows. If the warm air inside your home comes into contact with the glass, which may occur if there’s insufficient insulation or only one windowpane, vapour will condense on it and form frost patterns. However, if the indoor air is very humid, the water will condense into droplets that freeze into ice. Impact
If left unchecked, frost and ice on windows can result in permanent damage. When it melts, it can warp window frames if they’re made of wood. Additionally, the moisture can seep inside the walls of your home, potentially leading to rot. If this occurs, mould and mildew are likely to form, which can pose a serious health risk for you and your family. Prevention
The key factor in preventing frost buildup on your windows is insulation. Single-pane windows are the least efficient at insulating and therefore the most prone to frost. Double-pane and triple-pane windows are far better at keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. In addition, controlling humidity plays a role. You can do this by: Ventilating. Always use the ventilation fans in your bathroom when showering and in the kitchen when cooking. Also, make sure your dryer vent expels all the air outside. Crack open windows on milder winter days to improve your home’s ventilation. Repairing plumbing issues. It’s a good idea to check for leaks, as a dripping faucet will add to the humidity in your home. Keeping things dry. Avoid over-watering plants, air-drying laundry and storing firewood indoors. These things can increase the amount of moisture in the air. Preventing runoff. It’s a good idea to place a rolled-up towel at the base of your windows to absorb any melting ice before it runs down your walls. Lastly, if you’re planning to update your windows, consider installing a bay vinyl window on a southward facing wall. This will bring more sunlight and warmth into your home and can help create dryer conditions. Replacement windows in Ottawa Stay warm this winter by updating old windows. Canadian Comfort Windows & Doors has more than half a century of experience installing and supplying windows, siding and doors in the Ottawa area. Contact us today for a free estimate or visit our showroom in Nepean.