Although it may feel like it, the air around you is not actually dry. It contains water in the form of vapor, which is relatively harmless under normal circumstances. It is only when moisture levels in the air inside your home rise excessively that damage starts to occur, making it a problem.

WHERE IS ALL THIS MOISTURE COMING FROM?

As the surrounding temperature increases, the amount of water vapor in the air increases. However, all that water vapor condenses when the temperature drops, depositing moisture on various surfaces of your home. Because windows feature some of the coldest parts of a room, especially during winter, they tend to collect moisture. And where moisture collects, there is a tendency for damage to occur.

HOW DOES MOISTURE DAMAGE MY WINDOWS?

As sunlight passes through the window glass it heats up the air in between the panes and the glass itself. This causes the air to expand as the day heats up and to contract when it gets cooler. Over time, this cycle of repeated expansion and contraction causes window seals to loosen and fail, affecting a window’s ability to keep outdoor air out and indoor air in.

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

Other window problems that may arise due to excessive moisture include:

Window frame damage:

Condensation on window can cause paint to peel. When allowed to steep, it can also eventually cause rot and decay, most especially in wooden window frames, and corrosion in metal ones. This weakens the window on the overall, making it likelier to collapse or fall apart when subjected to physical threats.

Mold and mildew formation:

Recurrent condensation formation leads to the growth of mold and mildew on a window. Aside from being unsightly, the presence of mold and mildew can also be a health hazard, particularly to allergy sufferers.

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While there is no avoiding moisture in the air, damage from it is not inevitable. In the next part, we’ll be discussing how certain window features help defend against moisture damage.

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

Modern windows come with a host of features that are designed to help them resist the elements and last longer. Since most, if not all, of these features also enhance a window’s energy efficiency while protecting against moisture damage, it’s a win-win situation. The fact that energy-efficient windows are generally warmer than older, non-energy-efficient ones also goes a long way towards preventing moisture damage.

Some of these moisture-protecting features include:

LOW-E COATINGS

A Low-E, or low emissivity, coating is a thin, transparent layer of coating applied to the inner glass panes of a window to prevent indoor heat from escaping without affecting the level of natural light streaming through. Because low-e coatings help to keep indoor heat in, indoor temperature is stabilized, lessening excessive cooling in windows. There remains water vapor in the air but with windows less cool, it is unlikelier for condensation to form on them, preventing moisture from pooling and causing damage.

PART 2: WINDOW FEATURES - SEALING OUT MOISTURE

INSERT GAS FILLS

Instead of just normal air, manufacturers use inert gases like argon or krypton in between glass panes to increase the insulating capabilities of a window. Gas fills slow down the transfer of heat between panes, allowing windows to avoid heat-related damage. This means window seals also last longer, preventing moisture from finding its way into the frame.

FRAME MATERIAL

Traditional construction materials like wood and metal are susceptible, in different ways, to damage from too much moisture. Choosing frame materials then that are either impermeable to or unaffected by moisture will go a long way towards helping a window avoid damage. Take composite materials, for example. They may be made to look like wood but they do away with the material’s weakness to moisture, preventing not just moisture buildup, which leads to rot and decau, but also mold and mildew growth that reduces a window’s aesthetic appeal.

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While your windows are capable of resisting moisture damage, there’s a lot you can do as well. More on this in Part 3.

PART 2: WINDOW FEATURES - SEALING OUT MOISTURE

It has often been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Proactively working to prevent damage to your home not only saves you money in materials and labor, but it also saves you from the headaches and hassle of dealing with the effects of the moisture damage to windows and the rest of your home.

To prevent moisture buildup, consider the following:

Avoid hanging clothes to dry inside your home.

Either hang your clothes outside, or use a dryer that vents moisture outside your home. If you must dry your clothes indoors, choose to do it inside your bathroom, keeping the door closed and a window open.

Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed

Bathrooms and kitchens are the most humid areas in your home, meaning they have the highest level of moisture in the air. To prevent all of that moisture from finding their way into your home and onto your windows, keep the doors to these rooms closed. Even with an exhaust fan in place, it’s still a good idea to keep the doors closed to keep humidity levels in check.

PART 3: PREVENTING MOISTURE DAMAGE

When a room is in use, keep a window or trickle vent open.

This helps ensure air is circulating and that the room is being ventilated properly. When a window is open, don’t forget to open window treatments like drapes and blinds as well to guarantee that air can come in and flow out.

Leave space between furniture and walls

This too will allow air to circulate freely in a room, helping preventing moisture from building up.

Remove objects such as books, picture frames, and other knickknacks if you get a lot of condensation on window sills, as even small objects can hamper the flow of air around a window and prevent a window sill from drying out completely after moisture accumulates.

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Excessive moisture can be a problem but it’s nothing that you can’t do anything about. If moisture truly has gotten the best of your windows, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local contractor to check out replacement options available to you.

PART 3: PREVENTING MOISTURE DAMAGE

Renewal by Andersenof Westchester

2041 West Main Street Stamford,CT 06902

(203) 429-0449

RBAWestchester.com