Question about UPVC windows condensation
Discussion
Hi All
I am looking to replace my windows, a friend of mine had theirs replaced in 2022, I like the look of them and looking to use the same installer.
However, this morning I have noticed they beading condensation on about 2, the side of the house where it gets probably more cold wind blowing, 1 is sash style the other is casement, but the downstairs ones are fine.
Ok, it is -5 outside, is this reasonable for UPVC windows in such weather conditions, or not?
[url]
|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/641813/202501113760289
[/url][url]
|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/641813/202501113764772
[/url]
I am looking to replace my windows, a friend of mine had theirs replaced in 2022, I like the look of them and looking to use the same installer.
However, this morning I have noticed they beading condensation on about 2, the side of the house where it gets probably more cold wind blowing, 1 is sash style the other is casement, but the downstairs ones are fine.
Ok, it is -5 outside, is this reasonable for UPVC windows in such weather conditions, or not?
[url]
[/url][url]
[/url]
OutInTheShed said:
Pretty normal.
It's 'worse' if you close thick curtains, because they can add a good amount of insulation, so the inner face of the window might be halfway to being as cold as outdoors. The room then doesn't have to be terribly humid for the glass or frame to get below the dew point.
Ok many thanks, just wanted to see if this was normal before going ahead, they are nice windows. It's 'worse' if you close thick curtains, because they can add a good amount of insulation, so the inner face of the window might be halfway to being as cold as outdoors. The room then doesn't have to be terribly humid for the glass or frame to get below the dew point.
OutInTheShed said:
Pretty normal.
It's 'worse' if you close thick curtains, because they can add a good amount of insulation, so the inner face of the window might be halfway to being as cold as outdoors. The room then doesn't have to be terribly humid for the glass or frame to get below the dew point.
Ok many thanks, just wanted to see if this was normal before going ahead, they are nice windows. It's 'worse' if you close thick curtains, because they can add a good amount of insulation, so the inner face of the window might be halfway to being as cold as outdoors. The room then doesn't have to be terribly humid for the glass or frame to get below the dew point.
Nesty1760 said:
colin79666 said:
Normal in the morning if the room is an occupied bedroom, especially if trickle vents have been closed.
OK, many thanks, I gather these windows don't have trickle air vents, but any new ones that I order will have to have them installed under law, I believe. Also not mandatory if you are not replacing more than 50% of the windows
Personally I hate Trickle vents - they are excellent at letting sound from outside travel into the room so unless you live in a very rural area with no sound they are a pain - we live near a busy road and only 3 rooms have trickle vents (because later replacements) and all of them face a noisy road.
Last replaced all the windows in 1997 The next time I replace the windows I will do my best to make sure no trickle vents are fitted even if I have to replace in stages to comply with the less than 50% rule
Nesty1760 said:
OK many thanks for that,
My road isn't overall busy, but I would like to think that the windows will block sound out.
Does every window have to have trickle vents, or just a proportionate of the amount of windows in the property. If so, I would prefer them at the rear.
You may be exempt if your house is listed or in a conservation area. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere there could be an 'easement' for windows facing a main road?My road isn't overall busy, but I would like to think that the windows will block sound out.
Does every window have to have trickle vents, or just a proportionate of the amount of windows in the property. If so, I would prefer them at the rear.
And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
dickymint said:
You may be exempt if your house is listed or in a conservation area. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere there could be an 'easement' for windows facing a main road?
And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
I wasn’t 100% sure on the 50% And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
We have
3 windows front
2 windows rear
5 windows on one side
So if it is 30% I’ll get them all done in 3 stages
Trickle vents mostly work fairly well for us, but in certain weather we end up closing them all due to smoke or strong winds.
Heat recovery ventilation has got cheaper and more efficient over the last few years.
8 years or so ago, I looked at it and it would never pay for itself in this house, at that time it was much cheaper to just use an extractor fan and heat the fresh air by GCH. That's changed, the later units claimed to recover more heat per unit of electricity used, they're cheaper, gas is dearer.
These days if doing significant work, I'd bin the trickle vents and install more MHRV or PIV or 'random fans and stuff'.
.
Heat recovery ventilation has got cheaper and more efficient over the last few years.
8 years or so ago, I looked at it and it would never pay for itself in this house, at that time it was much cheaper to just use an extractor fan and heat the fresh air by GCH. That's changed, the later units claimed to recover more heat per unit of electricity used, they're cheaper, gas is dearer.
These days if doing significant work, I'd bin the trickle vents and install more MHRV or PIV or 'random fans and stuff'.
.
dickymint said:
You may be exempt if your house is listed or in a conservation area. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere there could be an 'easement' for windows facing a main road?
And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
Thanks for this, I am in a conservation area. And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
Nesty1760 said:
dickymint said:
You may be exempt if your house is listed or in a conservation area. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere there could be an 'easement' for windows facing a main road?
And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
Thanks for this, I am in a conservation area. And to add according to this it's for more than 30% not 50% if you're replacing them......................
https://www.roseview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022...
Check with your local Building Control is the safest way.
Is that condensation definitely on the inside of the house or inside of the glass units? If the latter it's the glass units that have failed and nothing to do with ventilation, I can't tell for sure by the photos.
My house doesn't have trickle vents. The humidity indoors is 55%. The humidity outside is 89% and -4 degrees C. If I had trickle vents, not only would I be colder, the air would be damper, which would make it feel colder. If you have your heating on and open a window occasionally, the heat will drive out the moisture. In the autumn and spring when the heating is only on occasionally, I will run a dehumidifier.
When I upgrade my old aluminium windows, I'll probably take the vent off, loosely stuff the hole with mineral wool, foil tape over, then refit the vent cover. Bear in mind, that I live on my own, so a family with all the extra cooking, washing, clothes cleaning and breathing would create much more moisture. I could easily remove the wool and tape if need be.
When I upgrade my old aluminium windows, I'll probably take the vent off, loosely stuff the hole with mineral wool, foil tape over, then refit the vent cover. Bear in mind, that I live on my own, so a family with all the extra cooking, washing, clothes cleaning and breathing would create much more moisture. I could easily remove the wool and tape if need be.
Edited by AlexC1981 on Sunday 12th January 08:42
AlexC1981 said:
My house doesn't have trickle vents. The humidity indoors is 55%. The humidity outside is 89% and -4 degrees C. If I had trickle vents, not only would I be colder, the air would be damper,....[/footnote]
That's wrong.89% humidity at -4 will be less grams of water per cubic foot than 55% at room temp.
OutInTheShed said:
AlexC1981 said:
My house doesn't have trickle vents. The humidity indoors is 55%. The humidity outside is 89% and -4 degrees C. If I had trickle vents, not only would I be colder, the air would be damper,....[/footnote]
That's wrong.89% humidity at -4 will be less grams of water per cubic foot than 55% at room temp.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff