Harry works for a FENSA Approved installation company. He's on a mission to help professionalise installers and protect homeowners across the UK, so he started this advice column.
Many of us may find we have condensation in the house, at one time or another. We may find that in the winter, some rooms are dry while others have condensation on the windows. Well this post is here to give you some advice on combating that condensation problem&
Modern life means we now live in more comfort, we have rooms that keep us nice and warm and we have really changed the way in which we heat and keep heat in our homes. No longer do we have traditional open fires, nor do we have rather high ceilings. We now use sophisticated heating systems, we have loft insulation and lower ceilings and nice fitted carpets&All of which make our homes more cosy, but more prone to condensation. Why, you may be asking? Well its simple; water vapour produced by normal living activities simply has nowhere to escape.
So how do you reduce condensation and the damage it can do to paintwork, curtains and wall coverings without sacrificing the benefits of modern day comforts?
There are 3 main factors governing condensation in our homes, these are:
Water vapour is produced by things like washing up, cooking, taking a shower etc. but can be controlled to some extent with the use of extractor fans and ventilation.
The inside room temperature can be controlled by replacing single glazing with double glazing. This maintains a higher surface temperature of the glass on the room side, which enables it to hold more water vapour without condensing. It also keeps more heat in your home, so can help reduce those nasty heating bills&
You guessed it though, the outside temperature cannot be controlled, if it could, Im sure many of us would opt for far longer and warmers summers!
There are a number of ways to help reduce condensation for each area in which condensation is appearing. Some of these tips you may do yourself, or some may require a professional window installer. Find a FENSA registered installer.
You will probably want to get a professional to undertake this work for you.
Condensation is a ventilation problem. Though double glazing can help reduce condensation by acting as a heat barrier, condensation is often caused by the need for air circulation. Modern day living and efficient heat retention means we often find our home has many moisture traps. The best cure is therefore controlled ventilation.
If you feel you dont have sufficient ventilation in your home contact a FENSA registered window fitter and seek their advice.
Check that you use a FENSA Approved Installer but also check the following: