Windows discussions and local services.
Things I wish I’d known before swapping out my old windows
Join the conversation
Share your experience or ask a follow-up question.
Had the same surprise with moisture after new windows - never realized how much the old ones “ventilated” on their own.
I miss being blissfully unaware of humidity levels... Now I’m constantly checking for condensation. Worth it overall, but definitely more to think about than I expected.The tighter envelope meant running them longer after showers or cooking, otherwise the moisture just lingered.
Totally get it. My old windows were basically “self-ventilating” too - aka drafty as heck. Now with the new ones, I’m running the bathroom fan like it’s a race.
Yep, and suddenly I’m a humidity detective, checking every corner for foggy glass. Didn’t expect to miss those leaky frames... but here we are.“the moisture just lingered.”
I hear you on the moisture - when I swapped out my ancient windows for new double panes, I figured I’d be set. Turns out, those “old-school air leaks” were doing more for ventilation than I gave them credit for. Now, between the tighter seals and a bathroom that fogs up after a single shower, I’m constantly running the exhaust fan. Not sure if it’s better or just different... but at least the drafts are gone. Funny how sealing up a house can make you work harder to keep it dry.
Funny how sealing up a house can make you work harder to keep it dry.
That’s exactly what caught me off guard too. I used to think newer windows would be a fix-all, but after swapping mine, I started noticing condensation on the inside - never had that issue before. Did you look into adding trickle vents or anything like that? I’m still debating if it’s worth the extra effort or if just running the fan is enough.
Swapping out my old wood windows for modern ones was supposed to solve everything, right? Instead, I got that same surprise - condensation that just wasn’t there before. I think the old windows leaked enough air that moisture never really built up. After the new install, it was like living in Tupperware.
I looked into trickle vents but honestly, drilling into my brand new frames felt like a step backwards. Ended up getting a humidity monitor and running the bathroom fan more, plus leaving doors open a crack after showers. It’s helped, but not perfect - on really cold mornings I’ll still get a little fog on the glass.
If you don’t mind a little extra airflow, trickle vents might be worth it, but I’d try the low-hanging fruit first. Sometimes it’s as simple as running fans or cracking a window for a few minutes. It’s weird how “tight” can be too tight, y’know?