Been there last winter—thought I sealed everything tight, woke up to ice crystals anyway. Ended up grabbing a cheap humidity monitor, realized my place was basically a rainforest. Running the fan after showers helped a ton... rookie homeowner move, I guess.
Did you notice if the ice crystals formed mostly around the edges or all over the glass? Sometimes even with good sealing, if your indoor humidity is high, condensation's gonna find a way. Did you try cracking a window slightly during showers? Sounds counterintuitive when it's freezing out, but it can help moisture escape quickly. Learned that trick after my own little indoor ice sculpture fiasco last year... homeownership keeps us humble, right?
I've had a similar experience with ice crystals forming mostly around the edges, especially during those super cold snaps. Even with decent windows and sealing, moisture just finds a way sometimes. Have you checked your bathroom exhaust fan lately? I realized mine wasn't venting properly last winter—turned out the duct was partially blocked, causing humidity to linger longer than it should've. Clearing that up made a noticeable difference.
Also, have you tried running a dehumidifier occasionally? I know it's another appliance to manage, but it really helped me keep indoor humidity levels in check without having to crack open windows when it's freezing outside. Homeownership definitely keeps us learning new tricks... and staying humble along the way.
Good call on the bathroom fan—I had a similar issue a few years back. Turns out mine was venting straight into the attic (thanks, previous homeowner...), and all that moisture was just hanging around up there, causing frost buildup and eventually dripping back down. Fun times.
Another thing worth checking is your window coverings. Heavy curtains or blinds can trap cold air against the glass, making condensation worse. I switched to lighter shades that allow better airflow, and it noticeably reduced ice formation around the edges.
Also, if you're not already doing it, try running ceiling fans on low in reverse during winter months. It gently pushes warm air down from the ceiling and helps circulate air evenly—keeps windows warmer and reduces condensation. Homeownership really is a never-ending puzzle... just when you think you've got it figured out, something else pops up.
Good points about the window coverings and ceiling fans—I noticed similar condensation issues in my place last winter. One thing I'd add is checking your indoor humidity levels too. I invested in a hygrometer and realized my humidity was consistently above 50%, which definitely made things worse. Installing a small dehumidifier helped bring it down to around 35-40%, and that noticeably reduced the frost buildup on my windows. Like you said, homeownership is a constant learning curve...
You're spot-on about managing indoor humidity—it's often overlooked but crucial. In my experience, homeowners tend to underestimate how much daily activities (cooking, showers, even breathing!) add moisture to the air. A hygrometer is definitely a smart move. And while dehumidifiers can help, I've also seen good results with properly sealed double- or triple-pane windows, especially with low-E coatings and argon gas fills. They significantly reduce condensation issues by keeping the interior glass surface warmer. But yeah, it's always trial and error with homes...
Totally agree on the window upgrades—made a huge difference at my place too. One thing I'd add is that proper ventilation matters a ton. I installed a decent bathroom exhaust fan and started actually using the kitchen hood regularly... condensation dropped noticeably after that.
Yeah, ventilation helps for sure, but honestly, I got a bit carried away with the exhaust fans at first... ended up sucking all the warm air right outta my house. Had to find that balance between fresh air and freezing toes, haha.
Haha, totally been there with the exhaust fan overkill. It's easy to underestimate how quickly those things can pull out the warmth. One thing that helped me was tweaking the timing—running the fans in short bursts rather than continuously. Like, 10-15 minutes every hour or two seemed to strike a decent balance.
Also, sealing up drafts around windows made a huge difference. I didn't realize how much heat I was losing through tiny gaps until I did a quick check with a candle flame (just hold it near the edges and watch for flickering). A bit of weatherstripping or caulk around the frames can really help keep the warmth inside without sacrificing fresh air.
And if you're still feeling chilly, heavier curtains or thermal blinds can be a lifesaver. You can open them during sunny hours to let in warmth, then close them up tight at night to trap that heat. Little adjustments like these add up pretty quickly...and your toes will thank you, haha.
Honestly, thermal blinds are great in theory, but I found they only help so much if your windows themselves aren't decent quality. Upgrading to double-pane glass was a game changer for me—pricey, yeah, but worth it when winter hits hard...