Keeping window glass dry: what actually works?

Shrink-wrap kits are a lifesaver for old windows, but yeah, losing the ability to open them mid-winter is a pain. I’ve found that if you want to get a bit more technical, adding weatherstripping around the sash helps cut drafts and can reduce condensation too—just peel-and-stick foam tape, nothing fancy. If you’re feeling ambitious, insulated curtains actually make a noticeable difference at night. Not the prettiest solution, but when it’s -10°C outside, I’ll take function over form. Funny how these old houses keep us on our toes... every winter it’s a new science experiment.

- Drafts and condensation are a tough combo, especially with ancient windows.
- Weatherstripping’s great, but don’t forget about caulking the exterior frame—surprisingly effective if you’ve got gaps outside.
- Insulated curtains definitely help, though I’ve seen some folks just use heavy blankets in a pinch... not pretty, but hey, it works.
- If you’re seeing water on the glass every morning, a small dehumidifier nearby can actually make a difference, though it’s not a cheap fix.
- I’ve also run a fan on low near the window to keep air moving—less moisture settles that way.
- Honestly, sometimes it’s just a battle of which solution annoys you least.

Honestly, you’re right—it’s just a matter of what you can live with. I tried the dehumidifier trick last winter, and yeah, it helped, but the noise drove me nuts after a while. Ended up just sticking with caulking and weatherstripping. Not perfect, but it cut the worst of the drafts and most of the water. Heavy curtains made a difference too, even if they’re not exactly stylish. Sometimes you’ve gotta pick your battles... but every little bit helps.

Heavy curtains are great for drafts, but I always felt like they just trap the moisture and make my windows sweat even more. Tried the plastic film kits once—total pain to put up, but they actually helped keep things drier. Not pretty, though.

Heavy curtains are great for drafts, but I always felt like they just trap the moisture and make my windows sweat even more.

Yeah, I’ve seen this a lot. Heavy curtains do help with drafts, but they can definitely make condensation worse if there’s already moisture in the room. Did you ever try opening them up during the day to let the glass dry out? Sometimes that helps, but honestly, it’s not a cure-all.

The plastic film kits—agreed, they’re a hassle to put up and look kind of cheap, but when installed right, they actually create a pretty decent seal. Ever notice if your windows themselves are leaking air or is it just the usual single pane cold spots? Sometimes it’s not just about the coverings, but what’s going on with the window frames or even ventilation in the room...

- Noticed the same thing with heavy curtains—good for drafts, but yeah, they kind of trap everything else.
- Tried the plastic film last winter. Looked terrible but honestly, it worked better than I expected.
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Sometimes it’s not just about the coverings, but what’s going on with the window frames or even ventilation in the room...

Sometimes it’s not just about the coverings, but what’s going on with the window frames or even ventilation in the room...

This hits home for me. I spent a whole winter in a drafty 70s ranch with windows that looked like they’d been installed as an afterthought, and I swear, the condensation was relentless. Heavy curtains? Check. Plastic film? Double check (and double ugly). Still woke up to puddles on the sill every morning.

I actually did try a dehumidifier—one of those little ones that looks like a lost robot from the 90s. Parked it right by the worst window. It helped, but only up to a point. The glass wasn’t dripping anymore, but it still got foggy, especially after cooking or showering. My theory: unless you’re running a full-on industrial dehumidifier (which, let’s be honest, sounds like overkill for a two-bedroom), there’s only so much those little guys can do if your place is basically a sealed Tupperware.

Ventilation made the biggest difference for me, which is kind of funny because I was so focused on “sealing everything up” to save energy. Cracking a window for ten minutes a day (even when it was freezing) seemed totally backwards, but it actually helped clear out the moisture. My grandma used to say, “A house needs to breathe,” and as much as I rolled my eyes at her old-school advice, she was onto something.

Bottom line: dehumidifiers are decent if you’ve already done the basics—sealed frames, fixed leaks, and maybe upgraded that ancient bathroom fan. But if you’re just fighting bad airflow, it’s like putting a band-aid on a leaky boat. Sometimes you gotta let some fresh air in, even if it means braving the cold for a bit.

You nailed it with the “band-aid on a leaky boat” thing. I had the same experience in my last apartment—old windows, tons of condensation, and the tiny dehumidifier barely made a dent unless I basically camped it out right next to the wettest spot. I was super paranoid about wasting heat, but the minute I started opening the bathroom window after showers (even just for a few minutes), things improved. It’s weird how counterintuitive it feels to let cold air in when you’re trying to stay warm, but stale, damp air just lingers otherwise. I guess sometimes grandma logic really is the way to go.

Gotta admit, I’m not totally sold on the “just crack a window” approach—at least not in my drafty old house. Tried that last winter and it felt like my heating bill doubled overnight. What’s worked better for me is running an exhaust fan for a bit after showers, then using one of those moisture absorber tubs on the windowsill. Not a miracle cure, but my glass isn’t fogged up 24/7 anymore. Anyone else have luck with window insulation film? I’m tempted, but not sure if it’s worth the hassle.

Window insulation film actually made a pretty noticeable difference for me, but I get where you’re coming from with the hassle part. I was super hesitant at first—didn’t want to deal with the plastic looking weird or peeling off halfway through winter. But after fighting with condensation for a couple months (and watching paint bubble on my sills...ugh), I finally gave in and tried the film on my bedroom windows.

Honestly, it wasn’t as much of a pain as I expected. The kit I got came with double-sided tape and a roll of plastic, and you just cut it to size and stick it on. The trickiest part was using the hair dryer to shrink it tight, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not bad. It did help with the drafts, too—not a miracle, but enough that I didn’t feel like I was heating the whole neighborhood.

That said, I wouldn’t say it completely solved the fogging. It definitely cut down on the cold air meeting the warm inside air, so less moisture built up, but I still had to crack a window every now and then or run the fan after showers. I think in an older house, there’s just always going to be some battle with humidity unless you invest in new windows (which...not in my budget right now).

I’m with you on the “just open a window” advice—feels like that works in theory, but in reality, I might as well just throw money out the window with my heating bill. I’d say if you’re already using moisture absorbers and a fan, adding the film could give you a little extra help, especially if your windows are as leaky as mine were. It’s not a total fix, but it made things a bit more manageable for me.