boring windows and condensation question

[merrycompo]

We have just had double glazing put in last week. Now this last week has been very cold and I'm not sure if it's the weather but at the bottom of the window there is condensation so that when you open the window it runs out. Is that normal or have we been ripped off?!! This didn't happen with our old windows.

Does your order specify the thermal properties of the glass?
We paid extra for a special coating with extra insulation.

oh God, don't know!! Will get dh to check. 4K for this to happen isn't good is it?!!

It normally means that there is no longer any ventilation in the house (ie the windows have blocked up all the drafts) It's both good & bad

Good because it's warm
Bad because condensation causes mould and that can be bad esp for asthmatics/hayfever sufferers

There are lots of ways to aleviate the problem

How to aleviate it then please. I am going round in the morning wiht a towel wiping buckets of water up.

We have one of these which works very well.

do you have little vents at the top of the window you can leave open?

easiest is to open a window

more expensive is to install a positive flow ventilation system (cost us about £500) this pumps cooler air from the attic in to the hall - this is very cheap to run and very quiet

a middle ground would be to install a itchen extractor fan (the wrong way round) pumping out of the attic into the hall (reasonably easy to do) cheaper to install - but more expensive to run and costs a bit more

I have all my little vents open ...Katy my hall has no heating in it, no radiator and the cupboard in the hall has damp in it and I was going to ask about a radiator being put in in the hall....now youve mentioned chilling the hall......Hmmmmmmmm

Heating the hall would help

But you do need ventilation - how old is your house?

50 years...ish

Sorry for hijack BTW merrycompo

Are all your windows and doors double glazed?

yep

As I understand it (I might be wrong or out of date)

If the house is sealed, then unless very well heated (over heated- so the glass is warm) there will always be condensation.

to reduce the condensation introduce a draft (ventilation) the +ve flow ventilation slightly increases the pressure inside the house so some air seeps out (taking some water with it)

maybe?

this agrees with me

so does this

We have this problem in our house - it's less than 2.5 years old, and I was in dispute with the Builders (a very reputable company, btw) for ages! Our bedroom window frame turned out to be slightly loose - there is a screw at the side of the window pane (you can see it when you open the window) that needed tightening. It has made a bit of a difference.

The other thing is - is the condensation between the panes (if so, they are faulty), or is it on the pane inside your room? If so - there isn't much can be done apparently. I sympathise - it's vey annoying.

Moisture in the air will condense on the coolest wall/surface - in this case your windows. The easiest solution is to remove the excess moisture from the air with a dehumidifier.

I can't be arsed though so I've got a bucket a towel too.

Thicker curtains can help too

ok we have had this in our newish house

1. shut your bathroom door when showering
2. open a window a tiny crack
3. buy ( lakeland used to selle them but now dont) a dehumidifier tiny thing with crystals in it

adn use the extracotr thignin your ens uite

thanks guys - just caught up with this. Am very glad it's normal

Basicly and damp air from caused by damp patches, showers, boiling kettles and pans will always cause condensation on cold windows. Its basic science. The double glazing is just more efficient than your old windows at keeping the drafts out.

Exractors in the kitchen and bathroom can help or leaving the window open when causing steam. If it is cold put the heating on before cooking or showering (helps to warm up everything inc the windows).

Make sure the house is well ventelated through the day what ever the weather, but close up before it gets dark or really cold.

Tackle any causes of damp in the house and then borrow or hire a de-humidifier to get rid of any remaining damp.

My MIL lived in a residential caravan where condensation was a major problem so she is an expert and has taught me well.

thanks Scrimble Was panicking that I'd wasted a shedload of money but feel much happier now!

No probs, MIl is a bit fanatical about opening her windows.
I stayed with her for a while and if you were late down for breakfast you had to endure a force 10 while you sat in your PJ's hugging your porrige. Windows are opened back and front to get a good through draft. You had to wear your thermals and gloves until at least 2pm. The earliest she would close them.