Those north windows are always the troublemakers in my place too, no matter how new the glass is. I’ve got one in the spare bedroom that fogs up if you so much as breathe near it. Funny thing is, my old single-pane kitchen window barely sweats at all, probably because it’s drafty enough to be its own ventilation system. Anyone ever tried those little window vents you can install? Curious if they actually help or just make things colder.
That north-facing window thing is real—I’ve got one in my living room that’s a magnet for condensation, especially when it’s freezing out. I put in a window vent last fall, hoping for the best. It did cut down on the fog, but yeah…room feels chillier now, especially in the mornings. Worth it if you’re desperate, but I still end up cracking the window sometimes just to clear it out faster. Hang in there—it’s a weird balancing act.
- Same deal here—north window in the bedroom always fogs up when temps drop.
- Tried a dehumidifier last winter. Helped, but not a miracle fix. Still had to wipe it down some mornings.
- Added thicker curtains to help with the chill after venting. Not pretty, but less drafty.
- Agree, it's a tradeoff between dry glass and a cold room...never found a perfect balance myself.
Funny, I had the same issue with my living room window last winter—always seemed like a losing battle. I tried cracking the window just a bit at night, but then the room got freezing and my heating bill crept up. Has anyone here looked into window films or that shrink-wrap stuff for insulation? Curious if it actually helps with condensation, or just makes the glass even colder.
I tried cracking the window just a bit at night, but then the room got freezing and my heating bill crept up. Has anyone here looked into window films or that shrink-wrap stuff for insulation? Curious if it actually helps with condensation, or just makes the glass even colder.
- That’s a super common frustration—balancing airflow with not freezing your toes off. You’re definitely not alone there.
- I’ve put up that shrink-wrap film in a few older homes (and my own, years back). Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- It does help with drafts and can take the edge off cold air leaks.
- As for condensation, it’s a mixed bag. The film creates a barrier, so you don’t get moisture on the inside of the glass. But sometimes, if there’s still a lot of humidity in the room, you’ll see condensation on the film itself, especially at the edges.
- The glass behind the film does get colder since it’s more isolated from the warm air inside. No way around that, but at least you’re not wiping puddles off your window sills every morning.
- One thing I usually mention to folks: try to keep indoor humidity in check (bathroom fans, kitchen vent, etc.). Sometimes that does more to cut fog than any product.
- If you want something more permanent, interior storm windows or proper double glazing work way better—but obviously, that’s a bigger investment.
Honestly, for a quick fix on a budget, the shrink-wrap kits are worth a shot. Just don’t expect miracles. I’ve seen them last a whole winter if you’re careful putting them up. Not the prettiest look, but better than ice on the inside of your window...
Curious if anyone else has had luck with those magnetic interior storms? I keep hearing about them but haven’t tried personally.
You’re not imagining things—those shrink-wrap kits do make a difference, but it’s definitely more of a band-aid than a real fix. I’ve put up my fair share over the years, and yeah, they cut down on drafts and that bone-chilling air, but you’ll still feel the glass getting icy behind them. That’s just physics, unfortunately.
Condensation is tricky. The film can stop water from pooling on your sills, but if your house is humid (showers, cooking, laundry drying inside), you’ll sometimes just get fog on the plastic instead. Not a huge win, but at least it’s easier to deal with than actual puddles.
Honestly, if you’re in an older house with single-pane windows, you’re doing what you can. Not everybody can shell out for new windows or fancy interior storms—though I’ve seen those magnetic ones work surprisingly well if you’re up for the cost and hassle. For now, keep an eye on humidity, maybe run a fan or crack the bathroom window during showers. You’re not losing your mind; winter windows are just a pain. Stick with it.
- Totally agree, the shrink-wrap is better than nothing, but it’s not magic.
- I used it on my living room windows—noticed less draft, but yeah, the glass behind still gets super cold.
- Condensation moved from the sill to the plastic for me too. Easier to wipe off, but still annoying.
- We dry laundry inside sometimes (no dryer yet), and that definitely makes the fog worse. Running the bathroom fan after showers helps a bit.
- Looked into those magnetic interior storms you mentioned. Pricey, but maybe worth it for the worst windows? Not sure I want to deal with measuring and installing though.
- Replacing all my single-pane windows just isn’t happening right now. Too expensive.
- For now, I’m just keeping humidity lower and using shrink-wrap where it matters most—bedrooms and living room. Kitchen and bathroom get left alone since they’re humid anyway.
- One thing I noticed: even with shrink-wrap, if the seal isn’t perfect, you get weird flapping noises on windy nights. Drove me nuts until I redid a couple corners with extra tape.
Not perfect, but it’s better than waking up to puddles every morning. Winter windows are just a hassle in old houses...
Shrink-wrap’s a decent bandaid, but I’ll throw in a curveball—sometimes it actually makes things feel colder. Hear me out: if you’ve got leaky frames or gaps, that plastic can trap cold air and make the glass behind it even icier. I’ve seen folks end up with frost on the inside, which is a whole new headache. If you’re handy, even just running some rope caulk around the sash or hitting the worst gaps with weatherstripping can help more than another layer of plastic. Not as pretty, but hey… neither are puddles on the sill.
Not as pretty, but hey… neither are puddles on the sill.
I totally get what you mean about shrink-wrap. I tried it last winter and actually ended up with that exact issue—woke up to a frosty patch on the inside of my bedroom window. Not what I expected. Rope caulk was a game changer for me, though. It’s not fancy, but it’s easy to squish into the gaps, and you can pull it off in spring. Curious if anyone’s tried those foam weatherstripping kits? Wondering if they hold up better over time or just peel off when it gets damp.
I gotta say, I wasn’t thrilled with the foam strips. Maybe it’s just me, but they started peeling up around the corners after a couple months, especially once the condensation kicked in. Rope caulk’s ugly, but at least it stays put.