Condensation on windows / soaked window sills
 

I woke up this morning to find all of our windows and window sills soaked with condensation. (I had to use two large towels to dry off all the sills.) Has anyone else experienced this in their home? Our house is brand new.
Thanks!

Interesting....well, not for you I'm sure. You might want to get in touch with warranty. Your windows could have a problem.

Too much moisture in the house for the cool (cold) air outside.

Our house is 20 years old and our windows sweat too, ESPECIALLY if we're cooking alot.

Turn fans on IN REVERSE (blowing up) and the air will circulate across the ceiling and down the walls & windows helping to dry them off. Keep your blinds and drapes OPEN.

Hope this helps

Yep, had the same problem although I only needed a wash cloth. Not sure what to do about it. Hubby said that it is because the frame around the window is metal and as it gets cold from the outside the inside fame will sweat because of the warm indoor temp. Never had metal frame windows. I don't like this scenario. Got news for ya, I am not about to go around to 10 windows each cold day, check the windows and raise the blinds and move stuff and wipe up the water. If he says this is normal then HE can pay for any damage that is done. Our house is 20 months old.

With a brand new home, the plastering may not be fully dried and would still 'sweat' although not usually for more than a few days. If you have just moved in and are now turning up the heat indoors, that may be causing it to sweat.

Ideally, the builder should not allow occupancy until the house has 'settled'. We took occupation of a new home a few years back and had dampness on the windows for about a week until things settled down/dried out.

Us too
 

We had a the same problem. I don't think it's anything wrong with the windows. Just different air inside and out. Different extreme temps. I had it when I lived up North because of how cold it got outside.

Excessive humidity in the house. Get a dehumidifier and run it.

Normal to have some sweating but I think yours is too much.
Report it to home warrenty and then see if the problems clears up in a few months. A new home does have a lot of water in it.

I am in a new home and had the same problem! The windows facing the sun dried quickly but the other windows were still very wet hours later so we wiped them off. I would think if they are left to dry on their own we would soon see mold! I will be calling home warranty.

My window sills are made of marble, House built 4 yrs ago. I thought that was a standard feature. But I don't have your condensation problem

As others have said, it is doubtful there is anything wrong with your windows. Even the best windows have a much lower R value then your walls do, so when the temperature difference between your warmer inside air and the colder outside air is high, you will get condensation.

Newer homes are more moisture laden. Also, it is important to use your bath exhaust fans when taking showers, etc. Also, if your range vent exhausts outside, use it when cooking if what you are cooking is making steam. Homes are tighter now then they were 50 years ago, so exhaust fans should be used if humidity levels are high. As already said, a dehumidifier in extreme cases will help.

Maintaining some air movement and keeping blinds open will also help. The problem is much less here in Florida then up north, where it could be below zero outside and 70 degrees in the house. I have seen frost and ice form on northern windows, even insulated ones.

It truly is all about your humidity level, and the difference between the inside and outside temps. Remember, there is a healthy balance one wants to achieve. Too little moisture in the air and you will get "shocks" and furniture joints could open up, etc. Nosebleeds could occur. Cold air holds less moisture, so this is what Northerners face every winter. Some actually have Humidifiers to put MORE moisture in the air during the winter.

We are luckier. Our Florida air is normally much more humid....but we will get condensation on our windows on the few "cold" days we get this time of year. It is usually easily manageable.

Hope this helps!

Frank D'Angelo, ACI

That is it. OR turn on the heat. It is cold outside and the windows get colder than the moist air inside and makes the moist air "rain".


Or you can wait. It really doesn't get THIS cold here too often.


Now watch me jinx all us and we will have an unusually chilly winter season.

OK Gracie - now you have done it!!! If we have six more weeks of winter we will know you are the Florida Ground Hog! :girlneener:

Well I am on the east coast and have lived in many homes - new and old - and many times will see some condensation on the windows but NEVER on the sills. Sounds strange to me to have that much moisture and I would be concerned.

Are they single pane windows? That would be why for sure. The double glass thermopane windows should not sweat that bad.