“older windows seem to sweat even when I’m careful about ventilation, especially if it’s damp outside.”
That’s a classic sign of single-pane or poorly insulated glass, honestly. Even with good habits like running the fan, there’s only so much you can do if the window itself is a cold surface in a humid room. I’ve seen folks tape up plastic film kits for the winter—those aren’t pretty, but they really do cut down on condensation by adding a layer of insulation. If you’re not ready to swap out the windows entirely, it’s a cheap workaround.
You mentioned exhaust fans after showers; that’s solid. But don’t forget kitchens—cooking dumps a ton of moisture into the air too. Sometimes just cracking a window for a few minutes helps more than you’d think, even if it feels counterintuitive when it’s cold out.
Honestly, some older windows just lose the battle no matter what. Upgrading to double-glazed units made a night-and-day difference in my last place, but I get that’s not always in the budget. Until then… towels and patience go a long way.
Not sure I totally agree about plastic film being the only decent fix. I tried it a couple winters back and honestly, it made my windows fog up just as much—plus it looked pretty rough. What actually helped more was running a dehumidifier in the evenings. Not cheap, but it dried out the air way better than just cracking a window. Maybe it depends on how drafty your place is?
Plastic film always felt like a band-aid to me, honestly. I had the same foggy mess and it just looked... sad. Dehumidifier worked better for us too, though my electric bill cried a little. I guess older windows just need all the help they can get.
I get what you mean about plastic film—it never looked great on my old windows either, and condensation still crept in around the edges. I've also leaned on a dehumidifier during winter, but yeah, the spike in the electric bill is hard to ignore. For me, sealing all the little gaps with weatherstripping made a bigger difference than I expected, at least in terms of drafts and some of the moisture.
I've heard some folks swear by interior storm windows, though they're not exactly cheap. Anyone tried those? I'm curious if they're worth it compared to just biting the bullet and replacing the windows altogether. My place is from the 60s, so I'm always weighing whether it's better to upgrade or just keep patching things up.
I tried those interior storm windows a couple years back after getting tired of taping up plastic every winter. Honestly, they worked way better than I expected—condensation dropped a ton and drafts nearly disappeared. The catch is, they’re kinda pricey and a pain to custom order for weird window sizes (ask me about my 1964 kitchen bay...). Still cheaper than full replacements, though, and no more wrestling with that clingy plastic film every fall. If your frames are halfway decent, might be worth a shot before going all-in on new windows.
Still cheaper than full replacements, though, and no more wrestling with that clingy plastic film every fall.
This is exactly what I’ve been debating—whether it’s worth the hassle to keep patching things up or just invest in something more permanent. I’ve only ever used the shrink film kits and, honestly, I dread it every year. The static, the wrinkles, the tape residue... it’s a whole ordeal. Your experience with interior storms is encouraging, especially about the condensation dropping. That’s my main problem—water pooling on the sills and then worrying about mold.
I’m curious, did you notice any big difference in outside noise? I’ve read mixed things on whether they help with that. Also, for the custom sizes, was it a nightmare to measure and order, or just tedious? My house is from the late 50s and nothing is quite square, so that part gives me pause.
Appreciate the reality check on cost vs. replacements. Sometimes it’s easy to get sucked into thinking new windows are the only fix, but it sounds like there’s a solid middle ground if you’re willing to deal with a little hassle upfront.
- Outside noise: Not a night-and-day difference, but I’d say the interior storms cut down on street sounds by maybe 30%. Enough that I noticed, especially with traffic or lawn mowers.
- Measuring: My windows aren’t square either (built in ‘62), so I measured at three points—top, middle, bottom—and gave the smallest number. Ordering was tedious but not a nightmare. The trickiest part was just double-checking everything before pulling the trigger.
- Condensation: Huge improvement. Water on the sills basically stopped unless it’s a super cold snap.
Ever tried using a dehumidifier in the same room? Sometimes that helps with persistent moisture issues too...
Dehumidifier helped a bit for me, but honestly, not as much as I hoped. Maybe my old windows are just cursed? I still get some condensation on the coldest days. Those interior storms sound promising, though. Anyone else find dehumidifiers only go so far?
- Dehumidifier helped, but same here—not a miracle worker.
- Think it’s a combo of factors: old windows + cold snaps = instant condensation.
- Tried bumping up airflow with a small fan aimed at the glass, and that actually made a difference, at least overnight.
- I measured humidity with a cheap sensor… even at 40%, some windows sweat if it’s freezing out.
- Heard those interior storm kits are decent, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
- Honestly, sometimes I think my house just likes to keep me guessing.
Think it’s a combo of factors: old windows + cold snaps = instant condensation.
Yeah, that sums it up for me too. My place was built in the late 60s and still has a few original windows—definitely not winning any awards for insulation. When we get those sudden temperature drops, I can almost guarantee I’ll wake up to puddles on the sills. I’ve tried the dehumidifier route, but like you said, it’s not a cure-all. Even when I keep the humidity around 35-40%, some of these windows just sweat no matter what.
I did pick up one of those shrink-wrap interior storm window kits last winter. Wasn’t sure what to expect, but honestly, it helped more than I thought. The room felt less drafty and the glass stayed clearer most mornings. Downside: they’re kind of a pain to put up if your windows aren’t standard size, and once they’re on, you lose easy access to open the window till spring. Not ideal if you like fresh air, but I guess everything’s a tradeoff.
The fan trick works here too, especially in the bathroom after showers. I just set a little desk fan on the floor aimed at the lower sash, and it seems to keep things drier overnight. Not exactly elegant, but whatever works, right?
Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the quirks of these old houses... seems like there’s always something new popping up when the weather changes. One winter it’s condensation, next year it’s drafty doors or mystery cold spots behind the couch. Keeps life interesting, at least.