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Your windows are an important part of your home as they not only improve your home’s overall curb appeal but also help improve its ventilation and energy efficiency. As such, it’s important that your windows remain in top shape for as long as possible. When it comes to your home’s windows, professionals say that there are a few issues that you need to look out for, such as difficulties in operation, air leaks and warping and rotting. However, while these are all issues that you need to look out for, some homeowners are concerned with another window problem: sweaty windows.
In this article, Knoxville expert window company Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville discusses why your windows sweat during the summer season.
According to experts, windows sweat during the summer due to a phenomenon known as “summer condensation”. During the summer season, the sun and relative outdoor humidity of the outdoors can heat up the window glass outside your home and the glass may trap the heat outside, especially if your window is outfitted with Low-E glass. Once night arrives, the glass will begin to cool down due to the combination of lowered outdoor temperatures as well as the cooler indoor air. This results in the condensation or “sweat” developing outside your windows during the summer season.
Believe it or not, any window contractor will tell you that summer condensation isn’t actually a bad thing compared to winter condensation. This is because since window condensation happens indoors, it can actually cause your window frames to warp and may even encourage mold growth around your home, which in turn can compromise your family’s health. However, summer condensation is purely a “visual issue” as it only happens outside your windows and home.
When your windows face summer condensation, you have nothing to fear. In fact, it’s an indicator of how effective your windows actually are. Should your windows form condensation during the summer, it means that factors such as the weatherstripping, insulation and vapor barriers are in working condition, meaning that their energy efficiency still remains intact. This is because windows that are inefficient, poorly insulated or outdated do not form condensation.
As stated before, summer window condensation doesn’t cause physical harm to your windows so you’re more than free to leave it be. However, if the condensation that your window produces during the summer season bothers you, there’s no need to worry as professionals say that it is actually possible to prevent this from occurring. Summer window condensation is often the result of the outdoor relative humidity and since we cannot control the relative humidity, you’ll need to resort to alternative methods of preventing window condensation in the summer. For instance, you can raise the thermostat setting of your home to prevent condensation while ensuring that your home remains as comfortable as possible.
Alternatively, experts also recommend that you install exterior shutters or shades on your window to prevent window condensation during the summer season. On the other hand, strategically planting trees near the window can help reduce summer condensation as well. If needed, you can also consider replacing your current windows to a double- or even triple-paned variant to further improve your insulation and prevent summer window condensation.
Planning to install replacement windows in your home? Don’t hesitate to turn to Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville, the leading experts to approach when it comes to window replacement and installation services. Give us a call at (866) 609-5033 or fill out our contact form to schedule a FREE in-home consultation. We serve homeowners in Knoxville, TN, and other nearby areas in the state of Tennessee.