Faucets

Condensation on plastic windows. Reasons for education, ways to solve the problem

Of course, we all know perfectly well that metal plastic windows and doors can keep heat in the house much better than wooden ones. Since wood can pass cold air through the gaps between the frame itself and the glass, just like the tree itself, it perfectly passes air. But any wooden frames - be it balcony or window frames - have one indisputable plus, and this plus lies in the fact that they are made of natural material - wood. Which, unfortunately, cannot be said about metal-plastic structures. Yes, they do not allow cold air to pass through, but the ventilation process in the room is also disturbed.

Preparing a sleigh in the summer

When carrying out repairs in the room, you need to think about increasing thermal insulation, which will save you money in winter, and about proper ventilation, which will protect you from dampness and mold. Having provided for the repair and replacement of windows in the room all of the above, and some other possibilities, you can save time, money and health.

When replacing windows in the summer, you may not encounter the problem of condensation. In the summer heat, the room is almost constantly ventilated, the air circulation is excellent and, whether it is damp or not, moisture on the windows can only be seen when it rains. With the advent of cold weather, the problem becomes obvious. In the absence of heating in autumn, we often cannot ventilate the room - saving heat and trying to close ourselves from bad weather. Such a process inevitably leads to increased humidity inside the room, which in turn will invariably affect your glasses.

Where does the condensate come from

It is the tightness factor, but only in conjunction with the violation of heating and convection of air in the room, that causes the formation of condensate. Condensation begins to appear on the windows when the air temperature in the room drops below +18 degrees. As a rule, it actively begins to appear in the autumn winter period when the heating is on and the temperature outside is much lower than indoors.

How does heating affect condensation?

Have you noticed drops of condensation on the windows? Moisture usually appears in the corners of frames or at the bottom of the glass. Most often, the appearance of moisture indicates insufficient thermal insulation of the room, or shortcomings in the heating system. Having thoroughly approached the solution of this issue, you can permanently get rid of drops of water on the glasses. “Drying” the surface of the window is quite simple; for this, it is necessary to install an additional heating radiator in the room. In this way, you will increase the room temperature in winter and your windows will no longer be covered with moisture drops.

Fighting condensation by insulating walls

If it is not possible to install a radiator for technical reasons, you can consider insulating the walls from the inside. True, at the same time you will have to repair the walls in the room, however, your costs will pay for themselves in the next heating season. Another solution could be external wall insulation. However, to do this, you will have to hire professionals to perform high-altitude work. However, the effect of such insulation will be double. In winter you keep warm, in summer - a cool atmosphere in the apartment. And most importantly, if you live in a private house, do not forget about the insulation of the attic, because it is through it that a huge amount of heat escapes.

Good ventilation prevents moisture loss!

However, you can think about the issue of indoor air ventilation in advance. Instruments will help you forced ventilation, which you can mount in the ventilation grilles during the repair. Also, when ordering metal-plastic windows, you can provide the opportunity to set the window to micro-ventilation mode, or order a ventilated glass unit profile. As we have already said, it is necessary to take care of heating radiators in advance, without blocking the access of hot air to the room. Knowing that the room is often damp, try to minimize the presence of flowers in the room.

Metal-plastic windows have won sympathy due to the fact that they do not require painting, there is no need to insulate them for the winter. Double-glazed windows are distinguished by good sound insulation and do not let in noise and dust.

But PVC structures have one drawback - condensation may appear on the windows. Let's try to figure out the reasons for its appearance in order to solve this problem.

Moisture accumulated on double-glazed windows can lead to the formation of fungus. If the problem is not fixed in time, the mold will spread over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe window and go beyond it. Because of this, you will have to make repairs in the apartment. In addition, mold is harmful to humans.

After installing plastic or wooden euro windows, the owners often face the problem of condensation on double-glazed windows and the inhabitants have a question: “How to eliminate window fogging?”. To get rid of the problem, you need to know the causes of condensation.

High humidity air. Why was there no problem with condensation before, when the old wooden windows were installed? When designing ventilation system in apartment buildings provided special system, through which the recycled air exits, and a new air inflow is carried out through slots in leaky window blocks.

Thus, the air in the room is updated, saturated with oxygen. After the installation of metal-plastic structures, the natural air supply stops, since plastic windows are hermetic, and the old ventilation system loses its effectiveness.

Insufficient ventilation of the apartment is the cause of condensation. It is necessary to check the quality of the ventilation system. For this you need to apply paper napkin to the kitchen grate. If it falls, it means that there is a problem with the hood and you should not blame the manufacturers for poor-quality double-glazed windows.

You can check the humidity in the room using a special device - a hygrometer.

Wide window sills covering the battery. Housewives like to grow flowers: the more, the better. And for this you need wide window sills. But, trying to create comfort in the house, you should not forget about the laws of physics: glass is the coldest part of the room. The fogging of glasses occurs due to the temperature difference in the room and on the street.

Condensation appears when this difference reaches a critical point. The window sill should not be wide, because it does not allow the heat coming from the batteries to rise up. If there is no possibility or desire to remove all the flowers, then they will have to be arranged on the windowsill so that there is a distance between the pots. This will allow warm air to freely reach the double-glazed windows.

Single-chamber double-glazed windows from 2 glasses. Such windows are installed in order to save money. Double glazing consists of 3 panes. The glass has a very low temperature and low resistance to cold air. If the outside temperature drops to -20 °C, the condensate turns into frost or ice. Such windows do not hold heat well, since there is a very small distance between the panes.

As a result, one-chamber packages have to be changed to two-chamber ones. As you can see: no savings - better right away.

Incorrect installation of a plastic window. was carried out with gross violations: the gap between the profile and the window opening was poorly sealed. Sometimes the tide is simply screwed to the window. It is not right. It is necessary to prepare the base from the mortar in advance, and then install the slope. This will increase the tightness, create protection from cold and humidity, and prevent noise from penetrating into the room.

In addition, the level may be disturbed, as a result of which the skew will cause the sealing gaskets to not fit snugly against the window. Poor quality, defective fittings can also play a role in fogging windows. It will not be able to ensure tight closing of the valves.

Incorrectly carried out work on the insulation of slopes (internal and external). Outside, it is recommended to use foam and cement mortar, and from the inside of the room - mineral insulation.

affects the formation of condensate. As a result, a gap is formed between the frame and the double-glazed window, which allows cold air to pass through.

Condensation between glasses

The appearance of condensate between the glasses is associated with depressurization. All the blame for this falls on the shoulders of the manufacturer of the metal-plastic window. As a result, the manufacture was violated, therefore, during operation, depressurization occurred and moisture got inside.

These windows are not functional. There will be a deterioration in thermal and sound insulation. They will begin to let extraneous noise, cold into the house. A humid environment is formed between the glasses, which is a breeding ground for microorganisms. You can't see anything through the foggy window.

It is unrealistic to cope with the problem on your own, so you will need to call a specialist.

Causes of condensation on the inside of a double-glazed window

The appearance of condensation inside due to improper manufacture of double-glazed windows: manufacturers saved on sealant. This fact can be detected before installation.

According to technology, the space between 2 panes must be completely filled. To find out if there is enough sealant, you need to put a finger on the edge of the window. If there is no opening between the finger and the sealant, then the window is of good quality.

If there is a cavity, it means that the manufacturers made a low-quality product and the window will definitely sweat.

The manufacturer is responsible for the tightness of the products, so all the blame lies with him. The glass pane will need to be replaced. Replacement is quick: first, the glazing beads are removed, and then a new double-glazed window is inserted.

You should not do the reinstallation yourself, all the work is in the competence of specialists. If the installation of windows was carried out by the company, then it must replace the double-glazed window free of charge. The contract should state that the company guarantees the quality of the installation.

How to deal with condensation

Condensation can be prevented by using a number of preventive measures, but there are also basic recommendations for dealing with condensation on plastic windows.

Regular ventilation of the room. Humidity should be within the normal range. This is ensured by daily airing the room for 10 minutes several times a day. If the temperature is low outside the window, then you can ventilate for 5 minutes.

You should be aware that during the procedure, the internal heat of the apartment will not be consumed, since most of it accumulates on the walls, and condensate appears with an increase in the temperature in the room. During the repair work you should ventilate the room more often, as glue, putty release moisture during drying.

Freeing window sills from flower pots. Flowers require regular watering, and damp soil produces condensation. And the plants themselves release moisture. Therefore, it is not recommended to grow flowers on the windows.

Control over the location of blinds, curtains, curtains. So that the decor elements do not interfere with the passage of warm air, they must be located at some distance from the batteries. If you neglect the advice, double-glazed windows will not receive the necessary heat and will fog up.

Window sill width. The best option is that the window sill should not protrude beyond the heating radiators, but be located on a par with them or be slightly smaller. A not too wide window sill bar contributes to the normal heat transfer of the batteries.

Control over the installation of metal-plastic structures. It is required to control the work of specialists so that the installation is carried out in accordance with the technology, otherwise violations will lead to trouble and condensate will collect on the packages.

Installation of high-quality double-glazed windows. It is advisable to choose vacuum 2-chamber double-glazed windows, since single-chamber ones do not retain heat well due to the small distance between the glasses and have proven themselves poorly in thermophysical terms.

Double-glazed window construction. Condensation falls around the perimeter of the structure with an aluminum frame, so it is recommended to choose a design with. Such a window will retain heat better and will counteract the appearance of condensate.

It is necessary to regularly check the wear of fittings, the performance of the ventilation system. In cold weather, windows must be switched to winter mode.

What to look out for

Condensation on double-glazed windows appears for two reasons: either incorrect installation work was carried out, or the humidity in the room is too high. Therefore, when PVC installation windows, it is necessary to control the entire process and observe the temperature regime during operation. Thus, the problem will disappear once and for all and you will not have to constantly fight with condensate.

Condensation on windows- an unpleasant thing, it is dampness in the apartment and puddles on the windowsills. If you want to get rid of condensation and freezing of glass, you should use these tips. When there are severe frosts, the windows in the apartments freeze quite hard, this is an unpleasant surprise, especially for those who have installed plastic windows. If glass is an excellent heat insulator, then metal is an equally good conductor of heat. Freezing of glass takes place exactly along the perimeter of the window. The resulting condensate flows onto the windowsill and slopes, from which numerous puddles and stains form. Even despite the fact that PVC windows are not afraid of water, this phenomenon is extremely unpleasant. How to get rid of condensation?

First of all, you need to understand the cause of freezing. This is because the temperature of plastic windows is lower than the “dew point” in the apartment, steam condenses on the glass, because it does not warm up. When windows are replaced with plastic or wooden double-glazed windows, the window deepens considerably. The frame with a double-glazed window is generally 90-120 millimeters wide, although the wall thickness is 50-70 centimeters. As a result, the glass turns out to be inaccessible to the convection jet of warm air from the radiator, so that an unventilated zone appears in the window sill area.

Many housewives who grow flowers on window sills, when replacing windows with plastic counterparts, try to make wider window sills so that they protrude another 5-10 centimeters. This still half blocks the convection flow from the radiator, and, accordingly, the ventilation worsens. And the abundance of flowers on the windowsill does not affect the situation very favorably. Condensation on plastic windows This is the result of poor ventilation.

A problem such as condensation can be avoided by making sure that the glass does not cool so much. If you only plan to replace windows with double-glazed windows, you should give preference to the thickest possible frame profile in order to reduce penetration. Of course, a couple of centimeters of the window sill will have to be sacrificed, but condensation on windows will bypass you. In addition, it is advisable to order not a double (the most popular), but a triple-glazed window, or a double-glazed window with additional glass. Such a double-glazed window is not only a guarantee of excellent sound insulation, but also that the windows will not freeze through even at a temperature of minus 35 degrees.

You should not try to expand the window sill, pots with plants will fit on the standard one, but ventilation from radiators will help to avoid problems with “weeping” windows. If you are already facing a problem like condensation on plastic windows, nothing remains but to establish air exchange in the window niche.

How to get rid of condensation on plastic windows

One of the most simple ways prevention of condensation is a burning candle. To do this, in severe frosts, a pair of candlesticks with thick, slowly burning candles are placed near the window. When burning, a warm air flow is created, warming the glass, and a romantic mood in the apartment will not hurt.
If there are practically no plants on your windowsill, but the option with candles causes dislike, you can try to build convection screens. These are plates of small width that will direct warm air from the battery to the window. You need to fix such a plate at an angle of 30-60 degrees. So that they do not stand out, you can disguise them under the sides of the window sill or a decorative element.
The easiest way to create airflow in a niche is with fans. It is enough to turn it on at low intensity so that it captures several windows. You can also use homemade fans with micromotors and wings made of thick cardboard and tin.
Some people prefer to solve the problem with chemistry. To do this, just go to the auto cosmetics store and purchase anti-fogging aerosols. Glasses must be washed and dried before being treated with them. The glass will stop fogging like this, but only for a certain time, so this method cannot be called a cardinal solution to the problem. Besides, Chemical substance for cars - no the best way for residential premises.
Some craftsmen manage to turn the windows in their own apartment into heated ones. To do this, a foil, conductive film or nichrome thread is glued around the perimeter of the window, and a small voltage of 24 volts is applied to it. The part of the window that freezes the most will be warmed up, this technique also works in cars.

Master of Architecture, graduated from the Samara State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. 11 years of experience in design and construction.

Plastic windows perfectly fulfill their function: they perfectly retain heat, isolate street noise and keep the temperature in the room. But a frequent occurrence is the appearance of condensate on the glass in the cold season. Why do plastic windows sweat in winter and how to fix such a problem?

Causes and consequences of fogging windows

The cause of fogging windows is hidden in physical properties water. Being in a gaseous state, it is imperceptible, but when the temperature drops, the so-called dew point is reached, that is, water vapor passes into a liquid. It is in this case that condensation forms, which settles on plastic windows.

The cause of moisture settling on the glass is high humidity.

If the windows began to fog up from the inside, there can be only one reason - this is a defective double-glazed window. This element of the entire system must be sealed, and if this condition is violated, water vapor enters, where it settles on the inner glass when cooled. This problem is eliminated by replacing the double-glazed window, the frame can be left.

However, most often condensation forms on the outer surface of the window. Why do plastic windows sweat in winter and how to eliminate such a factor? There can be several answers to this question:

Subsequently, fogging leads not only to a violation of the view through the glass. Often this process provokes the occurrence of worse phenomena:

Freezing windows and the formation of frost on them.
High humidity is the cause of mold, rot and fungus.
Water and low temperatures gradually destroy the foam in the gap and break the tightness of the entire system and the house.

Constant fogging of windows can lead to mold growth

What to do with such negative influence And how to eliminate the causes of fogging windows?

Troubleshooting

If your windows are leaking, you need to establish the cause of the phenomenon. It happens that the situation arises as a result of placing a large number of indoor plants on the windowsill, which evaporate a large amount of moisture.

Window adjustment

You can make sure what is the cause by making a simple inspection of the entire window. The first thing to do is to check the correct adjustment of the flaps and the degree of their locking.. This is done in the following way:

You can feel a strong draft by running your hand along the window.
Set fire to a match or candle, if the light fluctuates, then the tightness is broken.
Paper is placed in the sash and locked. You can pull out the sheet without any effort.

If deficiencies are found, proceed with the adjustment. The sash is set vertically and horizontally with screws located on the bottom hinge.

To adjust the sashes, tighten the bolts located on the bottom hinge

The degree of pressing is regulated by eccentrics at the ends of the window, as well as by tightening the pressure plates.

Transfer to winter or summer mode is carried out using eccentrics

Do not forget about the seasonal adjustment of windows. To do this, the regulators turn the marker inward for the summer, and towards the street in the winter.

window sills

Often windows cry due to improper air circulation during the cold season. The reason lies in the wide window sills, which block the access of warm air masses to the surface of the double-glazed window.

In this case, to normalize the circulation in the window sill, you need to drill several holes that will ensure normal access of heat to the glass.

Holes in the window sill allow warm air to heat the windows

You also need to pay attention to the grilles covering the heating radiators, perhaps they also interfere with air exchange.

slope finishing

If the window was installed with violations of technology (leaky gaps, the frame has moved), then you should contact the installer. Installers are obliged to fix such a problem free of charge.

An independent attempt to seal the gaps may not correct the situation, since the double-glazed window was initially installed incorrectly.

Finishing and insulation of slopes prevents fogging of windows

Another thing is with slopes. If the finish has not been done, it must be carried out immediately, otherwise it will lead to the complete destruction of the mounting foam in the gaps. In order for the windows not to cry, it is best to additionally insulate them using heat-insulating material ( mineral wool, polystyrene or foam plastic).

accessories

Quite often, windows cry due to poor-quality or worn fittings. All mechanisms must function normally and smoothly lock the sash with normal pressure.

Damaged seal must be replaced

The seal must be carefully inspected. It should be elastic, without tears and cracks. If there is damage, and elasticity is lost, proceed to replace it.

Ventilation

The ventilation of the room must be approached very carefully. This is especially true for rooms with a high level of humidity (kitchens, bathrooms), where windows sweat most often in winter.

After all, plastic windows completely seal the room and make it difficult for air to enter from the street. You can solve the problem of air exchange in the following ways.

Check existing ventilation for blockages. This can be done by lighting a candle near the channel exits. If the light does not deviate, then the hood does not work. The grids are removed and cleaned until normal functioning is restored.

However, in addition to the exhaust system, supply ventilation must also be present. This issue is solved by installing ventilation valves on the windows.

Forced ventilation can be provided with a valve built into the handle

Today there are modern supply systems, installed in the window handle, they do not spoil appearance and provide sufficient flow fresh air.

With the provision of a normal level of ventilation, the problem of high humidity is also eliminated..

thermal insulation

Single-chamber double-glazed windows are used in most non-residential premises, where thermal insulation is not so important. If such a double-glazed window is installed in the living room, then it will not provide proper heat conservation.

Thermal insulation of glass with film will not solve the problem of cold

You can fix the problem by insulating the slopes and applying an energy-saving film to the glass. But these measures will not ensure the preservation of heat in full.

Humidity level optimization

As mentioned above, this phenomenon can be eliminated by ensuring the normal ventilation of the rooms. However, if this does not help, then you can mount dehumidifiers under the windowsill. Such cartridges are inexpensive, and their efficiency is quite high..

Recent renovations can contribute to the increase in humidity in the room. A large area of plastered surfaces evaporates a huge amount of moisture, which ventilation cannot cope with. This is a temporary phenomenon and as the walls dry, the humidity level returns to normal.

As a rule, these are the main reasons that windows cry in winter. When they are eliminated, the situation will normalize and there will be no problems with fogging.