"Our north-facing windows always seem to ice up first, even after we upgraded the frames."
Same issue here—north-facing windows are consistently colder, probably due to minimal sunlight exposure. I've considered insulating curtains but haven't tried them yet. Curious if anyone's noticed significant condensation build-up behind heavier curtains? I'm concerned about moisture getting trapped and causing mold or paint damage over time...
I've had insulating curtains up for a couple winters now, and honestly, condensation behind them is definitely a thing. Noticed some moisture build-up last year, especially on colder days. Didn't see mold yet, but it made me uneasy enough to start pulling them open during the day to air things out. Wonder if cracking the window slightly would help or just make things worse...?
Cracking the window's a common thought, but honestly, it usually just makes your heating bill cry quietly in the corner. The real culprit here is trapped moisture and lack of airflow behind those heavy curtains. Opening them daily was actually a smart move—kudos on that. If you're up for it, consider a small dehumidifier or even one of those cheap moisture absorbers (the ones filled with crystals). Worked wonders for a client of mine who thought her windows were haunted by condensation ghosts...
Had a similar issue in my old place—thought I had a poltergeist obsessed with window art every winter. Tried the crystal moisture absorbers, and honestly, they did help a bit, but the real game changer was just running a small fan on low near the windows for a couple hours a day. Didn't spike the electric bill noticeably, and no more ice sculptures forming overnight. Ghosts officially busted...or maybe just relocated next door.
Glad to see someone else figured out the fan trick too. I'm dealing with icy windows in my first home this winter, and was debating those moisture absorbers. Good to know they help at least a little. Honestly though, your fan solution sounds simpler and cheaper—might give that a shot before jumping into costly window replacements. Maybe my "ghost" will pack up and move next door too...
"Honestly though, your fan solution sounds simpler and cheaper—might give that a shot before jumping into costly window replacements."
Yeah, definitely try the fan trick first. I had the same issue in my old place—windows icing up every winter, drove me nuts. Moisture absorbers helped a bit, but honestly, running a small fan to circulate air made a bigger difference. Saved me from dropping serious cash on new windows. Plus, my "ghost" seemed to vanish too... guess it didn't like the breeze!
Totally agree with trying the fan first—it's surprising how much difference a bit of airflow can make. I dealt with similar icing issues in my previous home, and while fans definitely helped, I also found that checking and upgrading weatherstripping around the windows made a noticeable improvement. Even tiny gaps can let in enough cold air to cause condensation and ice buildup. It's a pretty inexpensive fix too, compared to replacing entire windows.
Also, if you're comfortable doing some DIY, adding insulating film kits during winter months can help keep the glass warmer and reduce moisture accumulation. They're not the prettiest solution, but they're effective and easy enough to remove when spring rolls around.
As for your ghost... maybe it just didn't appreciate your interior decorating choices? 😉
Haha, love the ghost theory—I mean, who wouldn't want to blame interior design choices on paranormal activity, right? But seriously, good call on the weatherstripping. Most folks underestimate how much those tiny gaps can mess with indoor temps.
I agree that insulating film kits can help a lot, especially if you're not ready to drop serious cash on new windows. I've used them myself, and yeah... they're not exactly winning any beauty contests, but they do the job. One thing I'd add though—if your windows are constantly icing up even after sealing things up and using film, it might be worth checking your indoor humidity levels too. Sometimes excess moisture indoors is the sneaky culprit behind window icing.
Had a client once who swore her windows were defective because she kept getting ice buildup no matter what she tried. Turned out she had a jungle of houseplants and ran a humidifier at full blast all winter long. Great for tropical vibes; not so great for keeping windows clear of ice. Once she dialed back the humidity a bit, problem solved.
But hey, if none of these fixes work out... maybe it's time to break out the sage bundles and call in some ghost hunters? 😂 Speaking of which, anyone else ever had weird experiences with their windows or doors randomly opening or closing? Could be drafts—or maybe something more mysterious...?
Good point about humidity—it's surprising how often that's overlooked. Ever tried using one of those cheap hygrometers to keep tabs on indoor moisture? Might help narrow things down... though I'm still not ruling out ghosts entirely, haha.
Haha, ghosts would definitely make things more interesting around here...but yeah, humidity's a sneaky culprit for sure. I grabbed one of those cheap hygrometers last winter when our windows iced up constantly. Turns out it was way too humid inside—we had to dial back the humidifier and run the bathroom fan longer after showers. Helped a ton, though I still secretly hope to catch Casper drawing smiley faces in the frost one morning...