I get what you’re saying about the heated mirrors—seems like a lot of work for something that’s just a minor annoyance most days. I actually swapped out my bathroom fan for a higher CFM model last month, and it helped a bit, but not a miracle fix. I’m curious, though—has anyone tried those humidity-sensing fans? Supposedly they kick on automatically when the moisture spikes, but I wonder if they’re actually worth the price or just another “gadget” that doesn’t really solve much.
Humidity-sensing fans are kinda cool in theory, but I’ve seen mixed results. Sometimes they’re too sensitive and kick on if you just breathe near them, other times they’re sluggish and let your mirror fog up anyway. Honestly, I’d say the bigger game-changer for me was just cracking the window a bit—even in winter. Not always fun, but it clears things up faster than any fan I’ve tried. Have you checked if your window seals are still solid? Sometimes a drafty bathroom makes all the difference, for better or worse...
I’ve installed a bunch of those humidity-sensing fans, and yeah, they’re hit or miss. Sometimes the sensor’s placement makes a big difference—if it’s too far from the shower, it barely reacts, but if it’s right by the door, even steam from a cup of tea can trigger it. Cracking the window does help, but you’re right, in winter that’s not always ideal. Have you checked if your exhaust fan is actually venting outside and not just into the attic? I’ve seen that mistake more than once, and it really kills ventilation. Window seals matter too, but if you’ve got double-pane glass and decent caulking, fogging’s usually more about airflow than drafts.
I had no idea the placement of those humidity fans mattered that much... I figured just having one was good enough. Mine’s right above the shower, but sometimes it still seems slow to kick in. Is it normal for the bathroom mirror to fog up even with the fan running? Also, I never thought about checking if it actually vents outside—how do you even tell without climbing up into the attic? My windows are double-pane and caulked, but I still get some fog when it’s really cold. Maybe I’m just expecting too much?
I hear you—my mirror still fogs up too, even with the fan blasting away. I’ve found the fan helps, but it’s not magic, especially if you take long showers or the bathroom’s small. As for venting, one trick is to check outside for a vent flap while the fan’s running—if you feel air blowing out, you’re probably good. But yeah, even with double-pane windows, winter just means more fog. I think some of it’s just normal, unless you’re growing mushrooms in there…
Honestly, if your fan's running and you still get fog, it's probably just the reality of small bathrooms—especially in winter. I swapped out my old fan for one rated way higher CFM than the builder-grade junk, and it helped, but didn't totally solve it. Steam just clings to everything when the air outside is freezing.
Biggest difference for me was cracking the door open a bit during the shower. Not ideal for privacy, but it clears the mirror way faster. I know folks swear by anti-fog sprays too, but I found those only work for a couple weeks before you have to reapply.
Unless you've got water dripping down the walls or mold popping up, I wouldn't stress too much about some foggy glass. It's annoying, sure, but pretty normal unless you want to spend a fortune retrofitting ventilation.
Yeah, I get where you're coming from. I’ve got a 70s house with a tiny bathroom and even after putting in a “high power” fan, the mirror still fogs up like crazy in winter. Cracking the door helps, but then my kids complain about the draft. Honestly, unless you’re seeing mold or peeling paint, I think some fog is just part of the deal—especially when it’s freezing out. It’s annoying, but not really worth tearing up the ceiling for better ducting unless there’s an actual moisture problem.
Honestly, unless you’re seeing mold or peeling paint, I think some fog is just part of the deal—especially when it’s freezing out.
I hear you, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always “just part of the deal.” Have you checked if the fan is actually venting outside and not just into the attic? I found out mine was dumping all that steam right above the ceiling... made a huge difference once I fixed it. Also, have you tried running the fan for 15-20 minutes after showers? Sometimes it’s more about how long it runs than how strong it is. Just a thought—sometimes these little tweaks make a bigger impact than we expect.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen a lot of foggy windows that were actually caused by older or poorly insulated glass, not just bathroom humidity. In my last place, swapping out single-pane for double-pane made a bigger difference than any fan ever did. Sometimes it’s just the windows themselves that aren’t up to the job, especially in older homes.
That lines up with what I’ve noticed, especially in homes built before the ‘80s. The glass itself can be a huge culprit—single-pane windows just don’t cut it for keeping condensation at bay. Even with a dehumidifier running, my old place would get fogged up every morning in winter. Double-pane made a night and day difference, but I’ll say even those can get foggy if the seal fails and moisture gets trapped between the panes. That’s a whole different headache—no amount of ventilation fixes it because the problem’s inside the glass.
Curious, did you ever notice if the condensation was on the inside surface or between the panes? If it’s between, that’s usually a sign the window’s insulated unit is shot. But if it’s just on the inside, it’s more about indoor humidity and temperature differences. I’ve seen folks try window insulation kits (those shrink-wrap plastic things) as a cheaper fix, but honestly, they’re a mixed bag—looks a bit janky and doesn’t last forever.
One thing I learned the hard way: sometimes it’s not just about the glass but also how well the frames are sealed. Old wooden frames can leak air like crazy, which means cold spots around the edges that attract moisture. Ever tried running a candle around your window frames to check for drafts? It’s an old trick but surprisingly effective for spotting leaks.
Replacing windows isn’t cheap—mine set me back a few grand for four average-sized ones—but if you’re dealing with daily fog and it’s not humidity from showers or cooking, upgrading might be worth it in the long run. Otherwise, chasing down drafts and using thick curtains at night can help a bit.
Just out of curiosity, what climate are you in? Makes a big difference—my windows barely fog up at my current place, but it’s way drier here than where I used to live.