That's a solid approach. I've seen a lot of folks jump straight to window replacements, but honestly, addressing insulation and sealing small gaps first usually gets you more bang for your buck. One thing I'd add: don't overlook bathroom and kitchen ventilation. Sometimes moisture buildup from cooking or showers can really amplify window sweating issues. Sounds like you're already making good progress though... keep at it, it'll pay off soon enough.
"addressing insulation and sealing small gaps first usually gets you more bang for your buck."
I totally get the logic behind sealing gaps and improving insulation first, but honestly, sometimes window replacements aren't just about efficiency. Up here in the mountains, older windows can struggle with the temp swings no matter how well you seal things up. I replaced mine after trying everything else, and it made a huge difference—not just with condensation, but comfort too. Curious if anyone else found window upgrades more impactful than sealing alone...?
Curious if anyone else found window upgrades more impactful than sealing alone...?
I was skeptical about window replacements too, figured sealing and insulation would do the trick. But after battling condensation every winter, finally bit the bullet and upgraded windows... gotta admit, comfort-wise it was night and day. Still think sealing gaps matters, but windows can be game-changers sometimes.
I had pretty much the same experience as you. Thought sealing and insulation would handle everything, but nope. Here's what I figured out after a couple winters of frustration:
First off, sealing gaps around windows and doors is still step one—no getting around that. It's cheap and easy, and it'll help cut down drafts. But if you're still getting that serious condensation build-up (especially up in the mountains where temps swing a lot), then it's probably time to consider windows.
"comfort-wise it was night and day"
Exactly my experience too. Single-pane or older double-pane windows just can't keep up when the temp difference between inside and outside gets extreme. Upgrading to quality double- or even triple-pane units (with low-E coatings) made a huge difference for me. Also, don't overlook proper ventilation—sometimes condensation is more about humidity levels indoors than just window issues alone.
So yeah, sealing first...but if your windows are ancient or super basic, upgrading them is definitely worth considering eventually. Just brace yourself for sticker shock because good windows aren't cheap, lol.
Good points overall, but one thing I'd add from my own experience—humidity control indoors made a bigger difference than I expected. I upgraded to double-pane windows last year (triple-pane was out of my budget, sadly), and it definitely helped. But the windows still got damp occasionally, especially on colder nights.
What finally solved it for me was running a dehumidifier in the winter months. It seemed counterintuitive at first because the air already felt dry, but indoor humidity can spike surprisingly high when you're cooking, showering, or even just breathing, lol. Keeping humidity around 40% or lower pretty much eliminated window condensation for me.
Curious if anyone else here has tried using dehumidifiers regularly in colder climates...did it help your window sweating issues as much as it did for me?
Totally agree about the dehumidifier—made a huge difference for me too. One extra tip: crack open a window slightly when cooking or showering. Seems weird letting cold air in, but it helps vent moisture fast...and bonus, fewer kitchen smells lingering around afterward.
Yeah, cracking the window definitely helps, even if it feels counterintuitive at first. I was skeptical when someone suggested it to me, but after trying it out, I noticed way less condensation on the windows. Plus, the house just feels fresher overall. It’s funny how these simple little tricks can make such a noticeable difference...hang in there, sounds like you're already figuring things out pretty well.
I was pretty skeptical about the whole "cracking a window" thing too, honestly. When we first moved into our mountain cabin, the windows were practically dripping every morning—felt like waking up in a greenhouse. My neighbor kept insisting that letting in some chilly air would help, but I thought he was nuts. Eventually, out of sheer desperation (and to prove him wrong), I gave it a shot.
Well, turns out he wasn't completely off-base. It did noticeably cut down on the condensation, though I wouldn't say it solved everything entirely. What really made a difference for us was pairing that trick with a small dehumidifier in the worst rooms—especially the bedroom and kitchen. Between the two methods, it's been way better.
Funny how these little things add up...though I'm still not thrilled about letting cold air in when it's freezing outside. Guess it's just one of those compromises you make living up here!
"Funny how these little things add up...though I'm still not thrilled about letting cold air in when it's freezing outside."
Yeah, I hear you on that. We had the same issue up at our place last winter—windows dripping like crazy, especially after cooking or showers. Cracking a window did help somewhat, but honestly, installing bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans made the biggest difference. Pulling out that humid air directly at the source really cut down on condensation without freezing us out. Worth looking into if you're tired of chilly drafts.
Did you check your attic insulation? Had the same issue a couple years back—windows were soaked every morning, drove me nuts. Turned out the attic wasn't venting properly, trapping moisture inside. Added some soffit vents and beefed up insulation...problem pretty much disappeared. Might be worth a quick look before you spend money on fans or keep freezing yourself out cracking windows.