"Ghosts would definitely be more fun though...maybe next time leave out some cookies and see what happens?"
Haha, cookies might work better than my current method of just glaring suspiciously at the window. Seriously though, I had this exact issue last winter—thought I was doomed to replace all my windows. Turns out, just adding some cheap weatherstripping tape around the edges did wonders. Still chilly behind the curtains, but no more ice sculptures forming overnight...guess the ghosts moved on to haunt someone else's house.
Haha, glaring suspiciously at the window sounds about right...been there myself. Honestly, weatherstripping is a solid first step. If you're still getting ice buildup, you might want to check humidity levels inside your house. High indoor humidity can cause condensation on cold surfaces like windows, leading to ice overnight.
Quick way to troubleshoot:
1. Grab a cheap hygrometer (humidity meter). Hardware stores usually have them for under $10.
2. Check your indoor humidity—ideally should be around 30-40% in winter.
3. If it's higher than that, try running exhaust fans more often (especially bathroom and kitchen), or consider a small dehumidifier.
4. Also, make sure curtains aren't trapping moisture against the glass. Pull them back slightly at night if possible.
Did this a few winters ago after dealing with the same icy windows every morning. Thought I'd have to replace everything too, but turns out it was mostly humidity-related. Once I got that under control, the icing stopped almost completely.
But hey, if cookies do work better than my method...let me know what kind you used. Ghosts or no ghosts, I'm always up for cookie recommendations.
Humidity's definitely a factor, but honestly...old single-pane windows are just gonna ice up no matter what you do. Had the same issue for years—finally upgraded to double-pane and haven't scraped ice since. Cookies didn't help either, sadly.
"Cookies didn't help either, sadly."
Haha, wish cookies solved everything...but yeah, single-pane windows are tough. A few things you might try before upgrading:
- Weather stripping or window film kits (cheap and surprisingly effective).
- Heavy curtains at night to trap some warmth.
- Running a small fan to circulate air near the windows.
But honestly, double-pane windows are a game changer. Made the switch myself last year—no more ice scraping mornings, and my heating bill actually dropped noticeably. Worth considering if your budget allows it.
"Running a small fan to circulate air near the windows."
Tried the fan trick last winter...it helped a bit, but honestly felt like I was just blowing cold air around. Maybe I did it wrong? Anyone had better luck with window film kits?
"Tried the fan trick last winter...it helped a bit, but honestly felt like I was just blowing cold air around."
Yeah, same here. Window film kits have worked better for me—just make sure you prep the surface properly, apply evenly, and use a hairdryer to shrink it tight. Makes a noticeable difference in condensation.
Tried window film last year too—here's my quick take:
- Definitely reduced condensation, but ice still formed on the coldest nights.
- Surface prep is key...I rushed it and ended up with annoying wrinkles.
- Curious if anyone's tried thermal curtains? Wondering if they'd make a bigger difference or just trap moisture behind them.
"Surface prep is key...I rushed it and ended up with annoying wrinkles."
Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way too. I remember spending an entire afternoon wrestling with window film, thinking I'd nailed it, only to wake up the next day to a window that looked like a crumpled plastic bag. Definitely agree—prep and patience are everything.
As for thermal curtains, I gave them a shot last winter. They did help noticeably with drafts and keeping the room warmer overall, but you're right to wonder about moisture. On really cold nights, I noticed condensation building up behind them, especially if they were closed tightly overnight. It wasn't terrible, but enough to make me worry about mold or mildew if I didn't stay on top of wiping things down.
One thing I found helpful was leaving a slight gap at the bottom or sides of the curtains to allow some airflow. Seemed counterintuitive at first (why buy thermal curtains if you're gonna leave gaps?), but it actually struck a decent balance between warmth and moisture control. Still wasn't perfect though.
Honestly, I've been wondering if anyone's tried combining thermal curtains with a small dehumidifier? Maybe that could tackle both issues at once—keeping the room cozy without turning your windows into mini rainforests overnight. Has anyone experimented with something like that?
I tried the thermal curtain + dehumidifier combo last winter, actually. It wasn't exactly a magic bullet, but it did help quite a bit. Here's what I did: I set up a small portable dehumidifier near the window (not too close, just nearby), and left the curtains slightly open at the bottom—like you mentioned—to let air circulate. The dehumidifier pulled out a surprising amount of water overnight, and the condensation on the windows was noticeably less in the morning.
One thing to keep in mind though: those little dehumidifiers fill up faster than you'd think, so you'll probably need to empty it daily or every other day. Also, they're not silent...mine had a low hum that didn't bother me, but if you're sensitive to noise, it might get annoying.
Overall, I'd say it's worth a shot if you're dealing with persistent moisture issues. It won't completely eliminate condensation, but it definitely reduces it enough to ease worries about mold or mildew. Plus, no more waking up to windows that look haunted by ghostly fingerprints...
I've been using a similar setup, and yep, those little dehumidifiers are surprisingly effective. But honestly, if your windows are icing up that badly every winter, it might be worth checking your window seals or insulation. I had condensation issues for ages until I realized my window seals were basically shot. Once I replaced them, the condensation dropped way down.
"Plus, no more waking up to windows that look haunted by ghostly fingerprints..."
Haha, exactly—though I kinda miss the spooky aesthetic...