Window choices when living way up high

Yeah, ventilation's definitely key, but sometimes it's also about the windows themselves. Had a similar issue in my old apartment - high-rise, lots of wind exposure, and condensation was a constant headache. Upgrading to double-glazed windows made a huge difference. Not cheap, but honestly worth it in the long run. Also noticed that curtains or blinds can trap moisture against the glass, making things worse. Ever tried leaving them slightly open overnight to see if it helps? Curious if anyone's had luck with window films or coatings to reduce condensation...heard mixed things about those.

Totally agree that double-glazing is a game changer - made my place feel warmer and quieter too. Haven't tried window films personally, but my neighbor swears by them. She had major condensation problems and said a decent anti-condensation film cut it down noticeably. Though I guess mileage might vary depending on your windows and climate... Also, good tip about leaving curtains slightly open; I noticed the same thing - airflow really does wonders.

Interesting points here, though I'm still a bit skeptical about window films. Has anyone actually measured the difference in condensation levels or is it mostly anecdotal? I've heard mixed things - some folks say films are great, others claim they're barely noticeable. Maybe it really does depend on your specific setup like window age or climate conditions...

I do agree with the airflow tip though; leaving curtains open even a tiny bit has helped me too. But I wonder if that's just a temporary fix rather than addressing the root cause - like poor ventilation or humidity issues? Double glazing definitely seems more reliable from what I've seen, but obviously comes at a steeper price tag. Curious if window films can genuinely compete or if they're more of a quick-fix band-aid situation.

You've raised some valid concerns there - I get why you're skeptical. From what I've seen, window films can indeed help reduce condensation, but they're rarely a complete solution on their own. I installed some film on my older single-pane windows last winter, and while it noticeably reduced the moisture buildup, it didn't eliminate it entirely. Definitely felt more like a band-aid solution compared to proper double glazing.

You're spot-on about ventilation being a root issue too. Even the best window treatments won't fix underlying humidity or airflow problems. When I finally upgraded to double glazing in my living room, the difference was night and day - no condensation at all, plus better insulation and noise reduction. But yeah, the cost is a real factor, especially if you're renting or planning to move soon.

Overall, window films aren't useless; they can certainly buy you some time or offer temporary relief. But if condensation is a persistent issue and you're staying put long-term, investing in better windows or improving your home's ventilation system would probably give you more lasting results.

Totally agree about window films being more of a temporary fix. Did you try those moisture absorbers too, like DampRid or similar? I had decent luck combining film and absorbers in my old apartment - it wasn't perfect, but it kept the worst of the condensation at bay. Still, nothing beats proper ventilation or upgrading windows. But yeah, if you're renting or moving soon, who wants to drop that kind of cash, right...?

I feel you on the DampRid thing - I tried something similar when I lived in a high-rise condo a few years back. It helped a bit, but honestly, it was like fighting an uphill battle with all that condensation. Funny enough, cracking the window open just a tiny bit (even in winter) ended up being the most effective for me, even though it felt counterintuitive. But yeah, totally get not wanting to invest too much if you're not staying long-term... temporary fixes FTW, right?

Cracking the window does help sometimes, but honestly, if you're dealing with serious condensation, a small dehumidifier might be worth it - even short-term. I get not wanting to spend much, but they're compact, pretty affordable these days, and way less hassle than constantly wiping windows or swapping out DampRid bags. Plus, you can always resell it easily when you move. Just my two cents...

"Plus, you can always resell it easily when you move."

That's exactly what I did! Bought a small one a couple years back when our bedroom windows started looking like a scene from Titanic every morning. Honestly, it was a lifesaver - no more soggy towels or moldy window sills. Ended up selling it on Marketplace for almost what I paid, too. Totally worth it for the hassle it saved...and my sanity.

- Gotta admit, reselling sounds great in theory, but Marketplace can be a total circus sometimes...
- Last time I tried selling a portable AC, I got ghosted twice and someone asked if I'd trade for a fish tank (seriously).
- Ended up just gifting it to my cousin - less hassle, plus scored some family brownie points.
- Honestly though, if you're staying put for a while, investing in better windows or insulation might save you the daily Titanic reenactment altogether.

Gifting stuff to family definitely saves some headaches, but honestly, investing in top-tier windows isn't always the silver bullet it seems. A few years back, I bit the bullet and upgraded to those fancy triple-pane windows everyone raves about - supposedly the holy grail of insulation. Sure, they made a noticeable difference in drafts and noise, but the upfront cost was eye-watering. Took me a good while to see any real savings on my heating bills, and even then, it wasn't exactly life-changing.

Funny enough, the biggest improvement in comfort came from something way simpler: heavy-duty thermal curtains. Picked them up on a whim during a sale, thinking they'd just look nice in the living room. Turns out, they were surprisingly effective at keeping the chill out. Plus, they're way cheaper and easier to swap out if your tastes change or you move.

Not knocking better windows entirely - they do help - but sometimes simpler solutions can give you more bang for your buck. And hey, if you ever decide to move again, curtains are a whole lot easier to pack up than windows...

"Funny enough, the biggest improvement in comfort came from something way simpler: heavy-duty thermal curtains."

Couldn't agree more about curtains being underrated. If anyone's looking for a quick fix without breaking the bank, I'd suggest pairing those thermal curtains with some weatherstripping tape around your window frames. Super easy to install - just clean the surface, peel off the backing, and press firmly into place. Made a noticeable difference in my apartment, especially during windy days... cheap and effective!

You're spot-on about thermal curtains making a big difference. People tend to overlook how much heat actually escapes around windows, even when they're closed. Weatherstripping tape is a solid suggestion too - cheap, simple, and effective. I'd just add that if anyone's dealing with older windows, checking the seals and hinges can help quite a bit. Sometimes just tightening hardware or replacing worn-out seals cuts down drafts dramatically. Little things like that can really add up to noticeable comfort improvements.

Totally agree on the hinges and seals - it's wild how much difference a quick tighten-up can make. A few winters back, I kept feeling this annoying draft in my living room. Thought I'd have to replace the whole window (ugh, $$$), but turns out just replacing the worn-out seal and tightening a couple screws did the trick. Instant cozy vibes, zero handyman skills required, haha.

And yeah, thermal curtains are legit underrated. Got some thick blackout ones for my bedroom last year, and now it's like sleeping in a warm cave...in a good way. Weatherstripping tape is also a lifesaver - cheap enough that you don't feel guilty stocking up.

Gotta love these simple fixes that actually work. Beats freezing your butt off or paying crazy heating bills any day.

Totally get the appeal of quick fixes like weatherstripping and thermal curtains, but honestly, sometimes those temporary solutions just delay the inevitable. I spent a couple winters patching up drafts with tape and heavy curtains, and yeah, it helped...but eventually had to bite the bullet and upgrade to double-pane windows. It was pricey upfront, but the difference in comfort (and heating bills) was night and day. Just something to consider if you're planning to stay put long-term.

Good points, but double-pane windows aren't always the magic bullet. A friend of mine splurged on them for his high-rise condo and barely noticed a difference - turns out the building's insulation was the real culprit. Sometimes it's worth checking if drafts are coming from walls or vents before dropping serious cash on windows. Just saying...might save someone else from an expensive "oops" moment down the road.

"Sometimes it's worth checking if drafts are coming from walls or vents before dropping serious cash on windows."

Haha, yeah, been there! A few years back I got all excited about upgrading to fancy triple-pane windows in my apartment thinking I'd finally stop freezing my toes off every winter. Turns out, the windows weren't even the main issue - my place had gaps around the outlets and vents you could practically fly a kite through. After sealing those up with some cheap insulation foam and weatherstripping tape, the difference was night and day...and way cheaper.

So yeah, totally agree that sometimes windows aren't the magic fix they're advertised to be. Always good to do a little detective work first before throwing your wallet at the problem.

Haha, yeah, been there!

Great tip about checking vents and outlets first. I'm new to homeownership and was just about ready to splurge on new windows myself, but now you've got me thinking... How exactly did you find those hidden drafts around your outlets? Did you just feel around with your hand, or is there some kind of trick to it? I'd rather not spend a fortune if a can of insulation foam could do the trick.

I just went through this myself last winter - it's simpler than you'd think:

- Wait for a chilly, breezy day.
- Hold the back of your hand close to outlets and switches (seems silly, but you'll feel it!).
- Or, if you're feeling fancy, light a candle and watch closely for flickering near the covers.

Honestly, I was shocked how drafty some outlets were. A quick round with foam insulation and it made a noticeable difference. Way cheaper than windows, trust me...

"Honestly, I was shocked how drafty some outlets were."

Yeah, outlets surprised me too when I first checked. But now I'm wondering - did you notice any difference between interior and exterior walls? In my place, the outlets on exterior walls were way draftier, but interior ones seemed fine. Makes sense, I guess, but it got me thinking about insulation quality overall. Has anyone here tried thermal imaging to pinpoint drafts more accurately? Curious if it's worth renting one of those cameras for a weekend or if the candle trick is good enough...

Good point about exterior vs interior walls. In my experience, thermal cameras are definitely worth it. Candles help find obvious drafts, but thermal imaging gives you way more precise info - especially helpful if you're considering serious insulation upgrades. Totally changed how I tackled weatherproofing my place.