I had a similar experience with the cracked-window method. Thought it was a clever trick at first, but quickly realized it wasn't practical for colder months. I mean, stepping out of a hot shower into icy air is just brutal... and like you said, the windows still fogged up anyway.
Eventually, I went a slightly different route than the exhaust fan. I installed one of those window insulation film kits. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—seemed like one of those gimmicky DIY things that never really work—but it turned out surprisingly effective. The installation was pretty straightforward: just cut the film to size, stick it around the window frame with double-sided tape, and shrink it tight with a hairdryer. Took maybe half an hour tops.
The difference was noticeable right away. No more condensation dripping down the glass, and the bathroom stayed warmer overall. Plus, it helped keep drafts out, which was a nice bonus. It's not permanent either—easy enough to remove once winter's over.
I do agree though, exhaust fans are great if you're dealing with humidity issues regularly. My brother installed one in his bathroom last year, and he swears by it now. He did mention it was a bit noisy at first, but he swapped out the cheap fan for a slightly pricier model with lower decibels, and now it's barely noticeable.
I guess it depends on your setup and how much effort you're willing to put in. For me, the insulation film was a quick fix that worked surprisingly well, but if humidity is a persistent issue, an exhaust fan is probably the smarter long-term choice.
Totally agree about the insulation film—it made a huge difference for me too. Another quick thing I noticed helped was just wiping down the windows after showers. Takes like a minute, and seems to slow down the wear from constant moisture buildup.
"Another quick thing I noticed helped was just wiping down the windows after showers."
Yeah, I've noticed that helps too, but do you think it really slows down window aging significantly or just keeps things looking a bit nicer? I've found that regularly checking and redoing caulking around the edges seems to have a bigger impact over time...
Yeah, wiping helps a bit, but honestly I think it's mostly cosmetic. I learned the hard way—ignored caulking for too long and ended up with a mini indoor waterfall during a storm... not fun. Caulking's definitely key.
"ignored caulking for too long and ended up with a mini indoor waterfall during a storm... not fun."
Been there myself—definitely not something I'd recommend. Caulking's crucial, but I've also found that checking and replacing weatherstripping every few years makes a noticeable difference in keeping moisture out and windows in good shape.
I've noticed that too, but have you checked your window drainage holes lately? Sometimes they get clogged with dirt or debris, and clearing them out every few months can really help prevent water buildup... just a thought.
Good point about the drainage holes, but honestly, I've never found them to be the main issue with my windows aging. For me, it's usually the seals around the edges that start cracking or shrinking over time. Maybe it's because my windows get a lot of direct sunlight? I've been thinking about applying some UV-protective film or something similar... anyone tried that before? Curious if it actually helps or if it's just another gimmick.
I've seen a few customers try the UV film route, and honestly, results seem pretty mixed. Some swear by it, saying their seals and frames hold up better over time, while others don't notice much difference at all. Could be down to the quality of the film or even how well it's applied—bubbles and wrinkles aren't exactly helping anyone, right?
But you're definitely onto something with sunlight being a culprit. Direct sun exposure can really speed up seal deterioration. Ever noticed how south-facing windows always seem to age faster? If you do go for the film, maybe test it on one or two windows first before committing to the whole house... just in case it's more gimmick than game-changer.
Also, have you tried conditioning the seals occasionally with silicone-based lubricant? It's cheap, easy, and can help keep them flexible longer. Might be worth a shot if you haven't already given it a go.
- Tried UV film on my south-facing windows last summer—honestly, didn't notice much difference. Maybe I messed up the application (few bubbles here and there).
- Silicone lubricant was a good call though. Started using it a couple months ago, seals definitely feel softer now.
- One thing that helped me more than anything was just installing some basic blinds. Keeps direct sunlight off the frames most of the day, seems to slow down aging quite a bit.
- Might revisit UV films later, but for now, blinds + silicone seem to be doing the trick.
Had a similar experience with UV films—didn't see much improvement and hated dealing with those bubbles. Ended up switching to cellular shades instead, and they've been surprisingly effective. Also started using silicone spray after reading about it here; seems to keep the seals flexible. Between those two changes, my window frames look noticeably better than before, even on the south side where sun exposure is brutal... guess simpler solutions sometimes just work best.