Author: Ian Greenhalgh

Conservatories can feel like a luxurious addition to any home, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come without the occasional concern. If you notice your conservatory double glazing misting up, there may be a problem with your windows or frames.

Condensation on the outside of your windows is normal – and it means your windows are working. Some condensation on the inside of your windows can be expected if you have poor ventilation around your conservatory, especially if you’re cooking or drying clothes in the area. The main issue we’re covering here is when you find condensation building up in that gap between your window panes. This needs fixing, and should be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Here’s our guide on what condensation in your conservatory double glazing means, and how you can fix it.

Why Windows Mist Up

First of all, we’ll look into why windows mist up. In most windows (in England, at least!) the outdoor air is colder than the air inside your home. This means the surface temperature of your windows is also colder. You then have this contrast between the room temperature air inside the home, and the cold temperature of the surface of your windows. Because conservatories are primarily made up of windows, they can be prone to condensation.

Condensation looks like a misted or cloudy window, and can obscure your view of the outside world whilst also making your home look less appealing. If you notice you do have misted windows, this may mean your double glazing has ‘failed’.

Any gaps in the sealant around your double glazed conservatory windows can allow this warm air from inside your room to enter that gap in between your window panes. Usually, there is an insulating gas inside there, but if the sealant isn’t holding it in, you will lose this additional layer of insulation. As the warm air enters this space instead, it forms water vapour as it comes into contact with the cold air of the surface of the window. This is the main reason double glazed conservatory windows mist up.

What Condensation in Your Window Means

If your conservatory windows do have condensation, this means your double glazing has likely failed. You may not have condensation on all your windows, so there may just be a few that need fixing.

It’s easy to brush aside the issue of condensation on your conservatory windows; especially if it doesn’t bother you that much. However, as condensation grows, so does the potential for damp and mould to form in your conservatory.

As we mentioned earlier, conservatories usually add that extra something to your home – but if it’s covered in mould and damp, it can essentially become inhabitable. This happens to a lot of conservatories, when owners don’t realise the extent of the lasting damage that can be caused by failed double glazing.

In the colder months especially, you want to be making sure your double glazing is properly insulating your home – and your conservatory! Make a point of checking your windows are in full working order every few months. Condensation can seep in slowly, and before you know it, you’re in need of a full de-moulding session. One of the most irritating things about damp and mould is that it does easily spread to surfaces beyond your windows.

Any soft furnishings, damp walls, and even your family members using your conservatory, can be harmed by these mouldy conditions. This moisture can also spread to the window frames, which over time can lead to more repair work being necessary in order to have your windows fixed. It’s best to check your double glazing is working regularly and avoid the often-disastrous impact of mould further down the line.

How to Avoid Condensation in Your Windows

To avoid condensation in your windows in the first place, there are a few things you can try. Sometimes, failed double glazing is inevitable. Nothing lasts forever, and you may have had your conservatory for a while. As weather, age, and other factors beyond your control all have an impact on the quality of your conservatory windows, sometimes they do just need replacing. To try to avoid condensation, you can have a go at these tips:

• Open your windows every day.
  This improves circulation throughout your conservatory, so warm or moist air isn’t so stagnant and can flow around.
• Use an extractor fan or dehumidifier to remove warm, moist air.
  This is especially useful if your conservatory is next to a kitchen, as is often the case. Cooking creates a lot of warm and damp air that we often don’t realise can really contribute to condensation in other areas of the home. Try to also cover your pans and pots with their lids to reduce the moisture in the air.
• Vent your tumble dryer properly.
  Again, moist and warm are are often the culprits when it comes to condensation and failed double glazing. Make sure your tumble dryer’s vent is properly secured to flow out of the home. Check things are sealed correctly and ensure repairs are done before you use it.
• Avoid drying damp clothes in the conservatory.
  It may be tempting, as that warm sunlight seems like it will help dry clothes faster when the weather is a bit temperamental outside! However, the damp moisture from clothes needs to go somewhere as your laundry is drying. This is often evaporated into the air, and if you have failed double glazing, it will add to the level of condensation in your windows.

The most effective way to rid your conservatory of condensation is to have your double glazing properly checked and fixed.

What You Should Do

Finally, here’s what you should do if you find condensation in your conservatory windows! There are the few tips above that can help you avoid getting that condensation in the first place, but often you will need a proper fix in order to make sure your double glazing remains working on top form.

While the issues with condensation and double glazing may sound like a pain, it’s important to recognise that condensation does happen much more frequently on single window panes. Double glazing is still your best bet if you’re looking to keep your home warm, insulated, more secure, and even sound-proofed!

Call Cloudy2Clear now on 0800 61 21 119 for a free, no obligation quote. We work to fix conservatory windows all over the UK, operating in over 35 areas across the nation. We use the most eco-friendly methods to restore windows to their former glory; only using the materials necessary to fix your double glazing. This has that added benefit of making your repairs cheaper, too.

You can also contact us via our online form. Ask any questions you may have about how we can help deal with your condensated conservatory, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Double glazing has numerous benefits for both you and your home – not to mention your bank balance. Some of these include insulation, energy savings, noise prevention, and a condensation-free appearance; but what happens when double glazing fails?

If you’re starting to see condensation or “misting” between two double-glazed glass panes, then it is likely that your double glazing has failed and therefore the unit can no longer keep moisture or cold air out as it’s designed to. The ideal solution would be to have your failed glazing repaired as soon as you can. However, we know this isn’t always possible. With the rising cost of living there can be other priorities that come into play, and the idea of fixing your double glazing can swiftly become pushed down your list of things to get done.

However, it’s important to remember that when you don’t repair failed double glazing, it can quickly become an even more expensive problem. While it may not have as much of a noticeable an effect on your home in the warmer summer months, as we head into winter it is important to check for (and repair if necessary) your double-glazing windows and doors.

Failure to do so can not only worsen the damage to your windows, sealants, and the area surrounding them; but can also have a major financial impact later down the line. This could be due to an increase in your energy bills due to the loss of heat in the home, or on the damage caused by rot, mould and damp when outdoor moisture enters the home.

Mould and Damp

Moisture that enters the home through damage to your double glazing can cause a host of problems, most significantly mould and dampness. The inside of your home tends to be a lot warmer than outside during the colder months, especially if you use your heating frequently. The warmer air in the home can hold more moisture than cool air outside. So, the difference in temperature outside means that on single-glazed windows, or damaged double-glazing, condensation will form on the inside of your windows – the cooler surfaces in the home that any damp can easily settle onto.

This doesn’t happen on double-glazing that isn’t compromised, as the gas-filled gap between the two panes of glass acts as a barrier. This gas barrier balances out the heat difference between your home and the outdoors, so the inner pane of glass remains at a temperature closer to room temperature. This limits the level of condensation that can form; if any at all.

Any of the additional water and moisture that does enter the home when you don’t fix double glazing can cause walls and ceilings to fall victim to dampness. Furniture and fabrics nearby can also grow mould, or even rot. This can add up to a considerable expense if you have to replace furniture or repair damages, especially if the contents damaged have further sentimental value!

As an additional concern, moulds can produce allergens, irritants and even toxic substances that can affect your respiratory health. This can be especially harmful to those suffering from asthma and can also cause allergic reactions alongside more severe consequences. We are sadly seeing an increase of the drastic consequences caused by ill maintained homes that leads to damp, as children and the elderly fall victim to harsher respiratory illnesses as a result. Fixing these concerns as soon as they are noticed may reduce the chances of contracting even life-threatening symptoms that may not seem so much of a threat to begin with. Such is the severity of not dealing with any areas of the home that are prone to damp or mould.

Higher Energy Bills

The home loses a shocking 20% of its heat as it escapes through windows and doors. Failing to keep heat in by following basic maintenance routines and repairing your double glazing as soon as you notice an issue can further increase your energy bills.

With energy prices skyrocketing currently, every penny helps when it comes to keeping those gas and electricity bills down. Quality double glazing that hasn’t failed is impressively energy efficient and environmentally beneficial. Without it, you’re unable to trap heat and prevent draughts – so you’ll end up using much more energy when trying to heat your home this winter.

Rotting Frames

Rotting window frames are a common cause for failed double glazing and are especially common in older homes. As mentioned earlier, much like mould, rot forms from exposure to water and moisture. Wood is an absorbent material and over time can soak up and hold quantities of water. The longer the wood is exposed to the increase in moisture, the bigger the risk of damage – as rot is a type of fungus which loves damp conditions.

This increase in moisture can come from condensation or even long-term exposure to severe weather conditions, which explains why rotting frames can be more common in older homes. It’s important to perform regular checks on your window frames and even the sealant, to ensure rot and other damages are caught early. Discoloured paint or crumbling and softened woods are the earliest signs that your window frames have begun to rot. It’s important to tackle these problems quickly to avoid further damage to your home.

Call Cloudy2Clear for a Free Quote

To avoid the above and to have your failed double glazing fixed, get in touch with our experienced team at Cloudy2Clear. We focus on repairing only the areas of your double glazed units that really need working on. This means our prices are much lower than those companies that will replace entire frames unnecessarily! To save costs while maintaining the health of both your home and your family, we can help.

Call us now on 0800 61 21 119 – or fill out our online contact form to find out more about our double glazing repair services. Operating across the UK, our friendly engineers will provide a free quote before coming out to check the condition of your double glazing. They will then be able to calculate the most cost-effective way of repairing or replacing any compromised units.

Bathrooms are often a problem area for those struggling with damp in the home. They’re usually the smallest rooms in the house, yet they’re equipped with plenty of utilities that create steam and lead to condensation on a daily basis.

The moisture and humidity levels in your bathroom are naturally much higher than the rooms in the rest of the house. Having a damp bathroom is a bigger issue than it may seem. Damp can cause the sealants in bathroom fixtures to warp, leaving your walls and floor exposed to any leaks. You may notice this happening around the bath, toilet, and sink. Once this happens, your entire room is prone to developing mould – causing further deterioration.

Ventilating your bathroom properly is important, and can help reduce the spread of mould and damp. Here’s our guide on how to prevent damp in your bathroom.

Install a Bathroom Fan

A bathroom extractor fan can help limit the amount of moisture that builds up in the air. Many bathrooms will already be equipped with a fan, but it’s easy enough to forget it’s there and neglect it! Extractor fans help the warm, moist air that’s generated in your bathroom to escape. This is especially important if you don’t have a bathroom window to open while bathing or showering.

• Turn it on!

To make the most of your extractor fan, turn it on before you wash. The thing most people forget is that they should also leave it on for a period of time after they’ve used the bathroom. The moisture remains in the air after we shower, so your extractor fan should be kept on afterwards. Leave it on for around 20 minutes to air out the room and remove steam.

• Cleaning

Make sure you also clean your bathroom extractor fan on a regular basis. They can easily collect dust, reducing the fan’s ability to function properly. If you don’t have an extractor fan, consider having one installed.

• Cubic Feet Per Minute – CFM

Think about the size of your bathroom. In a larger bathroom, you will have more air that needs extracting. Extractor fans have ratings based on the amount of air they can shift. This rating considers the ‘cubic feet per minute’ (also known as CFM). For each square foot of space in your bathroom, you need 1 CFM – as a minimum. Fan sizes begin at 50 CFM. Work out the size of your bathroom in square feet by multiplying the measurements – length x width. If your bathroom is 10 x 8 feet, that makes it 80 square feet. You then need an 80 CFM extractor fan.

• Placement

The placement of your extractor fan will determine how well it works to remove moisture. Some bathrooms have areas that may need an additional fan. Consider any alcoves and corners that need covering so that steam can be extracted from every space in the room.

If you’re worried about your extractor fans looking unsightly in your bathroom, there are newer designs available. Some modern extractor fans feature LED lights and discreet flat surfaces, while others are available in dark grey.

Check Your Bathroom Windows

Many of the first signs of condensation and damp within a bathroom begin with the windows. You might start to notice puddles of water forming around the windowsill or mould starting to grow.

If you see condensation building up on your windows, you need to check they are working properly. If the sealant around the window is broken or warped, then it’s not insulating your bathroom. If this is the case, you might need your windows repairing. If you don’t already have double glazing, this is an ideal time to consider upgrading! At Cloudy2Clear, we’re experts in fixing and installing double glazed windows. We can repair any failed double glazing that’s causing condensation, fixing the issue and preventing damp in your bathroom.

Open Your Windows

You might be tempted to leave your bathroom door open to reduce the humidity in there. However, this isn’t recommended as it means the moist air only spreads to the spaces beyond your bathroom. Keep it contained. Let it out by opening the bathroom window and using the fan before you shower instead.

Heating the Home

If you’ve tried all of the above, there are other ways you can prevent condensation in the bathroom. Warm air is able to hold more moisture than cold air – without it settling to form droplets of water on your surfaces.

Keeping your home at a steady temperature throughout can therefore prevent condensation. Increasing the ambient temperature within the home is an effective way to combat condensation and damp. However, with the rising cost of energy, we understand it’s not always an affordable option.

Prevention is Best

The best way to stop damp in your bathroom is to prevent it from happening in the first place. If you follow all the tips above, you should be able to limit the amount of damp and condensation:

• Install bathroom extractor fans – remember to consider placement, use them properly, and clean them regularly.
• Check your bathroom windows – double glazing reduces condensation when fully functioning. If your double glazing has failed, seek a repair specialist like Cloudy2Clear.
• Open your windows while showering or bathing – don’t rely on leaving the bathroom door open, as the humid air is then simply redirected to other areas of the house.
• Heat the home consistently – not the most affordable option, but warmer air does prevent condensation.

While the above tips should help, preventing condensation becomes easier when you take a couple of additional measures:

• Wipe Wet Surfaces

After you’ve used the bathroom, try to mop up any water or condensation that’s formed on your surfaces, walls, and floors. This will reduce the level of moisture in the room and means that water isn’t sitting around and contributing to damp. To prevent your windows from failing or contributing to further damp, focus on ensuring your windows are dry.

• Invest in a ‘Demistable’ Mirror

‘Fog free’, or ‘steam free’ mirrors are a great way to prevent condensation from forming. Some feature heating elements or store hot water behind the mirror to stop condensation. Others have an anti-mist, polyester film over the top that stops moisture from settling.

• Try a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier will work to reduce the humidity of your bathroom. You don’t have to spend too much on an electric dehumidifier; these will only add to your energy bills too. Small, tech-free dehumidifiers often use crystals to absorb any damp. These smaller dehumidifiers (or moisture absorbers) work well in small rooms, and you could place a couple around the bathroom for maximum effect.

Others use aerodynamic absorption techniques and refillable tabs. Complement your dehumidifying efforts by using the extractor fan and leaving your window open.

• Use Anti-Condensation Paint for Bathrooms

Anti-condensation paints are a great way to prevent the buildup of moisture in bathrooms (and kitchens). These paints have insulating properties that means they level out the temperature, so moisture doesn’t settle. Due to their insulating impact, they can keep your home feeling warmer and reduce your energy bills. Many anti-condensation paints also prevent mould, with fungicides used within the paint to stop it growing at its source.

• Take Cooler Showers & Baths

A fairly obvious condensation prevention method, but understandably not one that everybody wants to do! Turning down the temperature when you take a bath or a shower reduces the heat and moisture in the air, therefore helping to prevent condensation and damp from forming over time.

Prevent Damp in Your Bathroom with Cloudy2Clear

At Cloudy2Clear, we’re specialists in optimising the impact of double glazed windows. When it comes to bathrooms, we find they’re a problem area for many of our customers. The good news is, we can replace the sections of your bathroom windows that need fixing – without replacing the entire window unit. This reduces the cost of your repair, while minimising material wastage.

Replacing or having your double glazed windows repaired is a great way to reduce condensation in the home.

To discover more about our bathroom window repair services, get in touch with us. Call our team on 0800 61 21 119 for a free quote now. You can also fill out online contact form and we’ll get back to you.