"Definitely cheaper than new windows...though ghost stories would be more fun to tell friends about."
Haha, true, but I'll take boring humidity fixes over spooky midnight drafts any day. We had icing issues too—turns out just running the bathroom fan longer after showers helped a ton. Worth a shot before dropping cash on windows.
Good tip on the fan—made a big difference for us too. A few other quick things that helped:
- Cracking windows open slightly (sounds counterintuitive, I know, but helps airflow).
- Adjusting blinds/curtains to let warmer room air circulate near glass.
- Checking weatherstripping—ours was pretty shot, cheap fix though.
Still, ghost stories do make better party chat...maybe sprinkle in a few spooky noises just for fun?
"Cracking windows open slightly (sounds counterintuitive, I know, but helps airflow)."
Funny you mention this—I had a client who swore by it. Thought he was nuts until I tried it myself. It really does help, though replacing weatherstripping usually makes the biggest difference long-term. Ghosts optional...
"replacing weatherstripping usually makes the biggest difference long-term."
Definitely agree with this. A few things I've noticed over the years:
- Cracking a window helps short-term, but you're basically treating symptoms, not the cause.
- Proper insulation and sealing around the frame is key—makes a huge difference in condensation and icing.
- Also, check humidity levels indoors. Running a dehumidifier or exhaust fans (especially after showers or cooking) can really cut down on moisture buildup.
Ghosts haven't helped my windows yet...but I'll keep an eye out.
Yeah, good call on humidity levels—I learned the hard way after I found mold hiding behind my curtains last winter. Gross, right? Now I make it a habit to run the bathroom fan a bit longer after showers, and it's helped a ton.
"Ghosts haven't helped my windows yet...but I'll keep an eye out."
Haha, same here. So far, Casper hasn't pitched in with my DIY projects either. Quick question though: does anyone know if those plastic window insulation kits actually help long-term or are they just another temporary fix?
I've used those plastic window kits a couple times, and honestly, they're decent as a quick fix. They definitely help cut down drafts and condensation in the short term, but I wouldn't count on them as a permanent solution. After a winter or two, they start looking pretty shabby, and you end up replacing them anyway.
"Now I make it a habit to run the bathroom fan a bit longer after showers, and it's helped a ton."
Yeah, ventilation is key. I also noticed my windows iced up way less once I got stricter about running exhaust fans. But now I'm wondering—has anyone tried installing storm windows over their existing ones? Seems like it might be a good middle ground between temporary plastic film and full-on window replacement. Curious if they'd actually be worth the investment or just another DIY headache waiting to happen...
Storm windows can be effective, but honestly they're kind of hit-or-miss. I've installed them for clients who swear by them, while others barely noticed a difference. If condensation's your main issue, I'd tackle indoor humidity first before investing in storms.
- Had the same icing issue last winter, humidity was def the culprit.
- Got a cheap hygrometer, realized we were way over recommended levels.
- Quick fix with a dehumidifier cleared it right up... maybe check your indoor humidity first?
"Quick fix with a dehumidifier cleared it right up... maybe check your indoor humidity first?"
Yeah, seconding this. Before you jump into replacing windows (which can get pricey fast), try tackling the humidity issue step-by-step. Had the same problem myself—iced-up windows every morning drove me nuts. Here's what worked for me:
1. Grab a cheap hygrometer online or from a hardware store to see exactly where you're at.
2. If humidity's high (anything over 50-55% in winter is usually trouble), start by running exhaust fans more often—especially when cooking or showering.
3. If that's not enough, a portable dehumidifier can seriously help out. Doesn't have to be fancy; mine was under $100 and made a huge difference.
Did all that last year, and haven't seen ice since. Windows weren't even the issue in my case, just too much moisture indoors. Worth checking before shelling out big bucks on replacements...
Humidity control's definitely a good starting point, but I wouldn't totally rule out the windows yet. I mean, sure, getting a hygrometer and running a dehumidifier can help big time (it did for me too), but sometimes older or poorly insulated windows are just plain troublemakers no matter what your humidity levels look like.
I had this issue in my last place—did all the humidity checks, ran fans religiously, even got a decent dehumidifier going. It improved things noticeably, but on really cold nights, I'd still wake up to frost creeping along the edges of the glass. Turns out my windows were pretty ancient and single-pane, so they were basically magnets for condensation and ice.
Ended up biting the bullet and replacing them with double-pane insulated ones (yeah, ouch on the wallet). But honestly? It was worth every penny. Not only did it completely stop the icing issue, but it also made a huge difference in comfort and heating bills. Plus, no more drafty chills whenever I sat near them.
Not saying you should rush out tomorrow and drop thousands on new windows—definitely try the simpler stuff first—but if you've already tried humidity control and you're still scraping ice off your glass every morning, your windows might be telling you something. Sometimes it's just their way of saying they're ready for retirement...