Condensation - Double Glazed Units

Condensation in the main is caused by drop in temperature usually at night. During the day a room with a reasonably warm temperature will absorb moisture created mainly from the kitchen and bathroom.

Depending on the amount of moisture contained in the air, condensation will occur if there is a significant drop in temperature and the air reaches its dew point, which happens when the temperature drops and the air is unable to hold the moisture and deposits it on the coldest object first, normally the window glass.

Opening a window is the easiest way to clear morning condensation.

For instance the single glazing in a window will be approximately the same temperature as it is outside. If the room is heated with an outside zero or cold temperature this causes a constant convection where the warm air contacting the cold glass will drop from the window at approximately two metres per second, causing a constant heating versus cooling or continual heat loss which is expensive, apart from the noticeable draught .

Any Slimlite Self Cleaning Double Glazed Unit will effectively slow down the dew point being reached if at all. The inner pane of the double glazed unit is always warmer than the outside pane in normal conditions, therefore the internal drop in temperature is considerably slower with the insulation of the double glazed unit. Increased insulation is the answer to reducing expensive heating costs.

Condensation is the enemy of timber windows and continual condensation over the winter can seriously deteriorate the lower sections of a timber window reflected in the huge industry of replacing rotten cills, bottom sash rails and cases. If constant heating is maintained condensation should not occur unless extreme conditions occur.

Ventilation will significantly reduce high air moisture content and therefore reduce condensation. A balance between heating and ventilation is considered to be the best situation.