Good call on checking the crawlspace—had a similar issue myself. Ventilation helped at first, but like you said, it never really solved the root cause. I spent months wiping down windows and running fans before realizing something else was up.
Turned out my attic insulation was pretty thin in spots, causing condensation to form on colder surfaces like windows. Once I beefed up the insulation and sealed a few air leaks around recessed lighting fixtures, things improved dramatically. Didn't even realize how much heat (and moisture) was escaping through those tiny gaps until I fixed them.
I agree ventilation is helpful short-term, but if you're constantly battling foggy windows, it's probably worth digging deeper. Could be insulation issues, hidden leaks, or even something as simple as adjusting your heating habits slightly. Either way, don't get discouraged—these things are usually fixable without breaking the bank if you pinpoint the real problem early enough.
Good luck sorting it out!
Had the same issue a couple winters back—thought I was losing my mind wiping down windows every morning. I tried the ventilation route too, and yeah, it helped a bit, but never really solved it. Eventually realized my problem was actually humidity from cooking and showers getting trapped inside. Got myself a decent dehumidifier and started using exhaust fans more consistently (turns out they're not just decorative, who knew?). Made a noticeable difference pretty quickly.
But you're totally right about insulation and sealing gaps. It's crazy how much heat sneaks out through tiny cracks you wouldn't even think about. I ended up sealing around doors and windows too, and that helped even more. Honestly, it's like playing detective with your own house... frustrating at first, but kinda satisfying once you finally crack the case.
Anyway, hang in there—sounds like you're on the right track already.
Yeah, sealing gaps definitely helps, but sometimes it's also about window quality. Had older double-pane windows that fogged constantly—upgraded to better insulated ones and the difference was night and day. Costly upfront, but worth it long-term... especially in colder climates.
Good point about window quality—makes me wonder, did you notice a big difference in your heating bills after upgrading? I've been debating new windows myself, but the upfront cost is kinda daunting. Also curious if anyone's tried those anti-fog films or sprays... do they actually work, or just another gimmick? Would love to find a cheaper solution for now until I can swing the full upgrade.
"Also curious if anyone's tried those anti-fog films or sprays... do they actually work, or just another gimmick?"
Tried the anti-fog spray last winter—honestly, it was pretty underwhelming. It helped a bit initially, but after a few days, it seemed like I was back to square one. Upgrading windows made a noticeable difference in heating bills for us, but yeah, the upfront cost stings. Have you checked your home's humidity levels? We found that running a dehumidifier significantly reduced window fogging without breaking the bank. Maybe worth considering before committing to new windows.
I get what you're saying about the sprays—I had a similar experience, but the anti-fog film actually surprised me. Put it on our bathroom window last fall, and it's still holding up pretty well. Not perfect, but way better than constantly wiping down condensation every morning.
"Have you checked your home's humidity levels?"
Yeah, humidity definitely plays a role. We tried a dehumidifier too, but honestly found it noisy and kind of annoying to empty all the time... guess it depends on your tolerance for that sort of thing.
I've gotta agree with you on the dehumidifier—had one going in our basement, and emptying it became my least favorite chore pretty fast. Ended up rigging a drain hose straight into the sump pump... lazy DIY for the win, haha.
Rigging a hose directly to the sump pump is actually a solid workaround—seen plenty of clients do something similar, though I'd hesitate to call it 'lazy DIY'... more like practical problem-solving. Still, if your windows upstairs are fogging regularly, I'd be looking at ventilation too. Dehumidifiers help, sure, but sometimes addressing airflow issues—like exhaust fans or even checking attic insulation—can make a noticeable difference.
Had a client last year with the same issue—windows fogging up constantly, especially upstairs. They'd already tried a dehumidifier, but honestly, it barely made a dent. Turned out their attic insulation was pretty thin and airflow was practically nonexistent. Have you checked your attic lately? Sometimes it's the stuff you don't immediately think of that makes the biggest difference...
Had the same issue a couple winters back—thought it was humidity too, but nope, attic ventilation was garbage. Added some vents and beefed up insulation... problem solved. Worth checking before you waste more cash on gadgets.