THE PHENOMENON OF CONDENSATION
ON WINDOWS
1
THE PHENOMENON OF CONDENSATION ON WINDOWS
The condensation occurs sometimes in residences in relation to the structure of the wall,
the living arrangements and the climatic conditions inside and outside. In any way, it does
not represent a fault in the window.
Condensation forms, in fact, when the warm damp air present in the environment comes in
contact with a cold surface. The warmer air absorbs much more water than cold air, and
when it cools (typically on the glass surface of a window), it reaches saturation and the
water vapour changes into liquid form settling on the surface itself.
For this reason, condensation is observed and is more evident on compact materials,
namely non-porous surfaces such as metal, glass, mirrors, ceramics etc ... All of this can
be observed when bathing or taking a shower: the amount of vapour that is produced
creates condensation that appears and remains visible on the glass doors and windows, on
ceramics, etc., but not on plastered walls.
The window can be subjected to the formation of condensation because it is an element
with lower energy performances when compared with the wall in which it is inserted. If the
window had the same degree of thermal insulation of the wall surrounding it, no
condensation would form on its surface. It is evident that a window with the same
performance of the wall is difficult if not impossible to realize (in any case at prohibitive
prices).
Consider, moreover, that nowadays the frames have very high energetic performances
thanks to insulating glass and waterproof joints, which do not let the heat pass to the
outside. At the same time, however, they do retain the moisture of the surrounding air as
well. In the past, in fact, the dwelling was not an hermetically closed environment and this
favored a change of air which limited the formation of condensation, but at the price of
higher costs for the heating and the cooling of the rooms.
Albertini Spa - Viale dell’Industria, 14/A - Colognola ai Colli (VR) - Ph. +39 045 615 1250
[email protected] – www.albertini.com
Suggestions to reduce condensation:
1.
Limit the production and diffusion of water vapour
· If possible, do not dry your laundry inside the house.
· Close internal doors when cooking or showering.
· Limit the number of plants in the rooms.
· Regularly air the rooms (see also point 3).
· The relative humidity in the air should not rise above 45% -50%
2.
Manage the room temperature
To reduce condensation, the temperature of the rooms should be kept as constant as
possible (about 20° C).
3. Air the rooms correctly
A correct aeration of the room consists in opening the windows completely at least 3-4
times every day for 5-10 minutes and - even better - by creating airstreams. This brief
aeration avoids an eccessive cooling of the room. In this way theinternal damp air is
replaced with the dryer external air, and this will help saving costs for heating as well.
On the contrary, windows constantly narrowed or in which tilt-turn is never closed during
the heating period cause unnecessary and expensive energy loss.
If the heating system is provided with automatic cooling mode during the night, it is
appropriate to air the room before the temperature decreases. This will prevent the warm
air of the room condensation during cooling.
A CORRECT VENTILATION, THEREFORE, IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT THE
PHENOMENON OF CONDENSATION.
Albertini Spa - Viale dell’Industria, 14/A - Colognola ai Colli (VR) - Tel. 045/6151250 - Fax 045/6150218
[email protected] – www.albertini.it