Keeping Condensation Off of Doors

Open a window or door for three or four minutes a day, especially after showering, cooking or other activities that produce excess moisture in your home. Do this only if the air outside is dry. Also, keep curtains or drapes open during the winter to allow the sun to warm the interior surfaces of your house.

Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. Turn them on while you shower or cook, and leave them on for about 15 minutes after you're done. Vent the dryer outdoors. Turn on ceiling fans to help evenly distribute the heat in your house. Store firewood outside -- fresh firewood releases moisture into the air. Install proper insulation in the attic, crawl space and basement. If these areas are not properly insulated and/or vented, excess moisture can build up in your home.

Seal ordinary windows and windows in doors with weatherstripping or caulk, and install a temporary plastic film over windows during the winter months. These products are available at hardware and home improvement stores. Keeping windows sealed helps keep windows warm during the winter, so less condensation occurs. If you're planning to upgrade your home's windows and doors that have windows in them, replace single pane windows with double or triple glazed windows to keep the inside of the windows warm.

Keep track of the humidity in the area where condensation frequently occurs with a hygrometer -- a small instrument that measures humidity. In general, a home kept at 70 degrees F should maintain a relative humidity level of between 15 and 40 percent. The colder the air outdoors, the less humidity is necessary to feel comfortable and keep condensation away. Run a dehumidifier to lower and maintain good moisture levels in your home.