Condensation on External Glass Windows
Condensation on External Glass Windows
(OP)
I have a project that I'll be looking at in Aust. They have a block of home units that gets massive condensation on the inside of the glass windows and this leads to serious mould issues and corrossion/damage to the window surrounds.
Im thinking double glazing.
This problem is surely not unique. What do other countries do where it is very cold outside and warm inside (due to heating) to stop internal condensation on external glass faces?
Im thinking double glazing.
This problem is surely not unique. What do other countries do where it is very cold outside and warm inside (due to heating) to stop internal condensation on external glass faces?





RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
Cheap option :Have the heater/grill located close to the window to keep the glass temperature above condensing
Costlier and better option:Double glazing
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
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RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
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RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
am i missing something? what is your winter design temperature, and did you measure humidity in your rooms? can you tell us exactly which type of windows do you have, to give u-value estimate is even better?
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
If you have condensation problems inside it means it's really cold out and you have high humidity in the indoor air. If you have condensation problems on the exterior glass it would be more understandable - a humid environment and a cooled interior (e.g., outdoor dew point is over 70°F, but indoor temp is 70°F or less, meaning window surface temperature is cool, producing condensation from outdoors).
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
It is very common to have cold temperatures outside (in the range of 2-10 ºC), and high humidity inside. If the window pane is simple glass it will condensate on the inside for sure, even in some cases with air conditioning.
Double pane glass is the solution.
regards
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
Less expensive might be baseboard heaters beneath each window? That might help with drafty discomfort inside too.
Best to you,
Goober Dave
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RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
The condensation is on the inside of the external windows. Sounds like double glazing and adequate ventilation for wet areas is the answer. I'm a little surprised there are no little window heaters for really cold areas. Maybe the same things that go on car rear windows or similar.
Anyway thanks for the input guys.
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
it is likely issue of really, really badly insulated windows. it's good they are rusty now, it will be easier for you to decide on replacement.
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
can you check the humidity ratio(%RH) inside this spaces, what type of HVAC system is used, is it air system or what, Are these units ventilated properly,
(-1C) outside design will not cause whole this problem otherwise we would see it everywhere, if double glass would solve problem in an area with -1C design temperature, what about areas with -20C or less like Canada for example, in this case we may need triple glass or more which is not the case.
RE: Condensation on External Glass Windows
I don't know your market, here in the US there are "alpen fiberglass windows" with 7L glazing that have overall U-values down to 0.14 (imperial, not metric!). I use them in many buildings (Fire Stations, other commercial applications) and in every meeting with the Fire Chiefs they tell me how much they like the windows just for how warm the room feels after replacing older double-pane windows and they budget for replacing windows in all the fire stations because the crews like the comfort. So imagine how much improvement after replacing single-pane windows.
Looking at overall U-value (and if you calculate correctly you realize a single bad envelope element kills overall performance quickly), windows and doors are the weakest link in a building. Want to amke a chain stronger? Reinforce the weakest link.
In addition obviously check indoor humidity. But the single-pane I think is the cuplrit.