Weatherstripping helps a bit, but if the glazing’s shot or there’s gaps in the frame, it’s tough to win that battle.
That definitely lines up with what I’ve noticed in my place. The windows are original from the 1940s, and even after adding new weatherstripping, I still get condensation on a couple of them—mostly the ones facing north, like you mentioned. I’m curious if anyone knows why the north-facing ones seem worse? Is it just because they stay colder so moisture condenses faster, or is there something else at play?
I’ve tried running a small dehumidifier, but honestly, it’s kind of a pain to empty all the time and it doesn’t really blend in. I did notice that when I leave the blinds open just a crack overnight, it seems to help a bit. Maybe more airflow? Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking.
One thing I’m not totally sure about is how much condensation is “normal” before it becomes a problem. Like, is a little fog in the morning just part of life with old windows, or should I be worried if it’s pooling on the sill? I don’t want to overreact and start replacing windows unnecessarily (they’re not cheap), but I also don’t want to ignore something that could turn into rot.
I’ve read about using those window insulation kits in winter—just the plastic film you shrink with a hairdryer. Has anyone tried that? Does it actually cut down on condensation, or does it just make your windows look like you wrapped them in Saran Wrap?
It’s weirdly satisfying when you get a window sealed up tight and it stays clear through a cold snap. But yeah... sometimes it feels like an endless cycle of scraping, sealing, and hoping for the best.
- Gotta push back a bit on the insulation film—used it one winter and yeah, it stopped drafts, but condensation still built up between the glass and plastic. Felt like I just moved the problem an inch forward.
- North-facing windows definitely stay colder, but old glass just doesn’t have much insulation to begin with. Sometimes it’s less about air leaks and more about single-pane physics.
- I’d say a little fog is normal, but if you’re getting puddles, that’s when I’d start worrying. Learned that the hard way after some sneaky sill rot last spring...
- Airflow helps, but only so much—unless you want to leave the window open and freeze your toes off.
I get what you’re saying about insulation film, but I’ve actually had better luck with it when I combined it with a dehumidifier in the room. Here’s what worked for me: first, seal up the window with the film (make sure it’s tight), then run a small dehumidifier nearby—especially at night. That combo cut down on the condensation a lot. Not perfect, but way less pooling on the sills. Might be worth a shot if you haven’t tried both together.
That’s actually a solid combo—insulation film and a dehumidifier. I’ve tried just the film before, and yeah, it helped a bit but didn’t completely solve the puddle-on-the-sill situation. Never thought to add a dehumidifier into the mix until last winter when we had that weird cold snap. We picked up a little one on sale, stuck it in the bedroom, and it made a bigger difference than I expected. Less fog, barely any drips in the morning, even with two people breathing away all night.
I’m still not totally convinced it’s “normal” to have zero condensation, though. Our house is from the 60s—windows are original (read: drafty as heck) and even with all the gadgets and films, there’s always *some* mist on the glass when it’s really cold out. I used to worry something was wrong with our insulation or that we were somehow doing something “wrong,” but after talking with neighbors and reading around online, seems like a little fog is just part of life unless you’ve got super modern windows.
One thing I did notice: if you don’t get that film on *really* tight—like hairdryer level tight—it almost makes things worse. Learned that one the hard way when it started peeling up at the corners and I got more condensation trapped inside. Had to redo it mid-winter which was... not my favorite Saturday.
Anyway, good call on combining forces with the dehumidifier. It’s not perfect here either but it keeps things manageable. Sometimes I think these old houses just want to remind us who’s boss.
Yeah, I’ve wondered the same thing—if totally clear windows in winter are just a fantasy unless you drop serious cash on new ones. Ours are late-70s specials, and even after trying the shrink film (which was way more finicky than I expected) and a mid-range dehumidifier, there’s still that little band of fog at the bottom every cold morning. Not enough to puddle, thankfully, but it’s always there.
I think you nailed it about the film needing to be drum-tight. The first time I did it, I barely used the hairdryer and it just sagged... next thing I knew, moisture got trapped between the film and glass, so I basically made a tiny terrarium on my windowsill. Lesson learned.
Honestly, I’ve stopped stressing about it. Like you said, these older houses have their quirks, and unless you’re gutting everything down to the studs, there’s only so much you can do. At least now I don’t wake up to a swimming pool under the window anymore—that’s a win in my book.
That little band of fog at the bottom—yep, I know it well. Our house is early ‘60s, and I swear those windows have seen more winters than I have. We tried the shrink film too, and I’ll admit, my first attempt looked like a wrinkly plastic bag taped to the frame. My wife still teases me about my “modern art installation.” Eventually got the hang of it, but even then, there’s always that stubborn bit of condensation on the coldest mornings.
I used to obsess over it, thinking we were just doing something wrong. But honestly, unless you’re ready to fork over a small fortune for new windows, a little fog seems par for the course in these older places. The dehumidifier helped some, but it’s not a miracle worker. At least as long as it’s not turning into an indoor pond, I figure we’re ahead of the game.
Funny thing is, my neighbor replaced all his windows last year and still gets a bit of fog when it dips below zero. Maybe totally clear glass in winter is just a myth for us mere mortals...
I hear you on the “modern art installation”—my first go with shrink film was a total mess, too. I’ve found that even with all the tricks, a bit of fog is just part of life in these older homes. Sometimes I wonder if it’s more about the humidity in the house than the windows themselves. Have you ever tried running an exhaust fan or cracking a window for a few minutes to see if it helps? I noticed a slight difference, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
- Totally relate to the “modern art” vibe—my shrink film job looked like a crumpled bag.
- I’ve tried the exhaust fan trick, but honestly, it only helped a little.
- Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the old wood frames in my place soaking up moisture.
- Anyone ever tried a dehumidifier near the problem windows? Curious if that actually makes a difference or if it’s just another gadget collecting dust...
I actually set a little dehumidifier by my living room window last winter, just to see if it would help. It definitely pulled some water out of the air—had to empty that tank every couple days—but the window still fogged up when temps dropped. Maybe it’s a combo of old frames plus not enough insulation? Kinda feels like a losing battle some days. Anyone notice if newer vinyl windows help, or is it just the same story with different frames?
I swapped out my old aluminum sliders for vinyl a couple years back, and honestly, it made a noticeable difference. The condensation isn’t totally gone, but it’s way less of a problem now, especially on the coldest days. I think the real trick is the double or triple glazing—plus making sure everything’s sealed tight. Did you happen to check around your frames for drafts? Sometimes it’s not just the window itself but the gaps around it that let all that cold air creep in... Curious if anyone’s tried those window insulation kits—are they worth the hassle?