Every winter, same story... windows fogging up, ice forming around the edges, and me wiping them down constantly. It's driving me nuts. Anyone found a good solution or certain window types that actually help with this?
"Every winter, same story... windows fogging up, ice forming around the edges, and me wiping them down constantly."
Had the exact same issue last winter—first year in my new place and it drove me crazy. Here's what worked for me: First, I got a cheap hygrometer to check humidity levels (turns out mine were way too high). Then I started running a dehumidifier for a couple hours each day, especially after cooking or showering. Also, cracking open a window slightly for ventilation helped more than I expected. Curious though, anyone tried those window insulation kits? Do they actually help with condensation or just drafts?
Tried the insulation kits last winter—good for drafts, but didn't really notice much difference with condensation. Ended up getting better results by just cracking windows open slightly after showers and cooking... airflow seems key.
"Ended up getting better results by just cracking windows open slightly after showers and cooking... airflow seems key."
You're onto something there. I've seen plenty of folks try insulation kits expecting miracles, but condensation is a tricky beast—it's less about sealing everything tight and more about managing humidity levels. Reminds me of a client a few years back who spent big bucks on fancy window films and insulation products, convinced it'd solve the fogging issue. After weeks of frustration, he finally took my advice and just started leaving the bathroom window cracked after showers. Problem solved within days. Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best.
Honestly, airflow is underrated. Sure, insulation helps with drafts and heat retention, but condensation needs somewhere to go. A bit skeptical about all those miracle products myself—seen too many promises fall flat. Glad you figured out what works for your place, though.
Sure, insulation helps with drafts and heat retention, but condensation needs somewhere to go. A bit skeptical about all those miracle products myself—seen too many promises fall flat.
Interesting points about airflow. I've dealt with this issue for years myself, and I agree that humidity management is probably the biggest factor. Insulation kits and films can help with heat retention, but they don't really address the moisture buildup directly. In fact, sealing things up too tightly can sometimes make condensation worse because there's nowhere for moisture to escape.
One thing I've found helpful is checking humidity levels regularly with a simple hygrometer. They're pretty cheap and easy to find online or at hardware stores. Ideally, indoor humidity should stay around 30-50% in winter. If it's consistently higher, you'll keep seeing condensation no matter how good your windows are.
Also, if you have forced-air heating, make sure your vents aren't blocked by furniture or curtains. Good air circulation around windows helps keep the glass surface warmer, reducing condensation. I've noticed a big difference just by rearranging furniture slightly to improve airflow.
Another thing worth mentioning—window coverings matter too. Heavy curtains or blinds can trap cold air against the glass, making condensation worse. Switching to lighter curtains or opening them during the day can help warm up the glass surface and reduce fogging.
I've also experimented with running exhaust fans longer after showers and cooking, and it does help quite a bit. Cracking windows open slightly works too, but obviously that's not ideal when it's freezing outside. A balanced approach—ventilation combined with managing indoor humidity—seems to be the most effective long-term solution.
Has anyone tried using a dehumidifier in winter? I've considered it but haven't pulled the trigger yet... curious if it's worth the investment or just another gadget collecting dust in the basement.
"A balanced approach—ventilation combined with managing indoor humidity—seems to be the most effective long-term solution."
Couldn't agree more. I've seen plenty of folks chase miracle fixes, but honestly, just tweaking airflow and humidity makes a huge difference. Dehumidifiers can help, but usually simple adjustments do the trick first.
I've seen plenty of folks chase miracle fixes, but honestly, just tweaking airflow and humidity makes a huge difference.
Ventilation and humidity tweaks definitely help, but honestly, sometimes the windows themselves are the real culprit. Seen plenty of cases where older single-pane or poorly sealed windows just can't handle winter temps... upgrading or resealing can save a lot of hassle down the line.
Definitely agree that windows themselves can be the main issue. Tweaking humidity helps a lot, but if you've got old single-pane glass, you're basically fighting a losing battle. Last winter, I spent weeks messing with fans and dehumidifiers—barely made a dent. Finally bit the bullet and resealed my frames and added some insulating film... night-and-day difference. Sometimes you gotta tackle the root cause instead of just managing symptoms.
"Finally bit the bullet and resealed my frames and added some insulating film... night-and-day difference."
Had a similar experience myself. Spent ages messing around with humidity levels, even bought one of those mini dehumidifiers—total waste of time. Eventually, I just replaced the worst offenders with double-pane windows. Cost a bit upfront, but honestly, worth every penny. Haven't had fogging issues since, and the house feels warmer overall. Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and upgrade instead of patching things up endlessly.
Interesting to hear your experience with double-pane windows. I've seen plenty of cases where upgrading made a huge difference, but honestly, it's not always the silver bullet people think it is. A couple years back, I worked on a house where the owners had just installed brand-new double-pane windows, thinking it'd solve their fogging issues completely. But guess what? They still had condensation problems because the humidity inside was through the roof—turns out their ventilation was practically nonexistent.
Sometimes, even the best windows can't fix underlying moisture issues. I've found that improving airflow—like adding exhaust fans in bathrooms or kitchens—can make a surprising difference. Not saying window upgrades aren't worth it (they usually are), but it's worth checking if there's something else going on before dropping serious cash on replacements. Just my two cents from what I've seen out there...