Condensation Resistance Factor for Insulated Glass

Identification

• Condensation occurs when warm air inside your home meets the cold air near your windows, causing moisture to occur on the window glass. While it is difficult to eliminate all condensation, excessive amounts of moisture on your windows can cause damage to your wall or window sills over time. To prevent damage to the structure of your home, you can install insulated windows with a high condensation resistance factor.

Condensation Resistance Factor

• Double or triple pane windows are insulated well and less likely to develop condensation. All Energy Star qualified windows are rated according to their ability to resist moisture. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the condensation resistance factor is measured on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the condensation resistance factor, the better the window resists condensation.

Effects

• Placing windows inside your home with a high condensation resistance factor cause less condensation to appear on the glass surfaces. Reducing condensation prevents moisture damage and mold growth. If mold begins to grow inside your home, you and your family may suffer adverse health effects such as wheezing, hives and difficulty breathing. Mold also degrades drywall, wood and any other material it grows on making clean up and repair necessary.

Considerations

• Along with installing Energy Star qualified windows with a high condensation resistance factor, reducing the humidity levels inside your home may also help prevent condensation. Everyday activities such as doing laundry and bathing raise the humidity levels in your home that can eventually encourage condensation to develop. Installing ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathrooms may help prevent condensation by lowering the humidity. According to North Dakota State University, indoor humidity levels should be around 40 percent in the winter when condensation is most likely to occur. If your double or triple pane windows are experiencing frequent or heavy condensation, high indoor humidity is the most likely cause.