Magnificent buildings are built and designed daily by talented men. Upon the completion of one structure, the next is begun. Our cities are built this way, they expand and age. These building grow older and begin to deteriorate. Some are lucky enough to be given historic status and are provided with a face lift that requires their original architecture to be preserved. Old wooden windows have to be restored or replaced with new wood frame windows. Builders are forced to increase the energy efficiency using secondary glazing, however there are problems that may occur due to secondary glazing and condensation.
Secondary glazing is simply an extra glazing panel that is placed on the inside of an already existing single glazed window. It is usually a single glazed piece of glass, but can sometimes be shrink wrap or a plastic film. It is usually surrounded by a metal frame that incorporates a gasket or membrane in order to create an air space that is sealed between the new glaze and the old.
Although some people may be unfamiliar with all that secondary glazing entails, they do know what condensation is and how it happens. With windows, because they are glass, the interior and exterior temperatures are different, causing the moisture that is in the air by the glass to become cool and create a layer of condensation on the surface.
It is important to avoid both humidity and moisture with wood windows. They cause the wood to become rotten and warp, or even worse, become moldy. Problems are often times not noticed until it is too late, requiring the window to be replaced.
Unlike double glazing, which is typically vacuum sealed in a moisture controlled factory, secondary glazing traps ordinary, moisture filled air, between it and the single glazed window. A drafty window can also allow moisture from the outside in. Given the right condition, that moisture will condensate between the glass and settle at the bottom of the window, increasing the chances of rot. This will also increase the humidity level between the two panes of glass, which will effect any wood exposed inside the seal.
Another potential culprit is the metal frame on the glazing panel. Metal is also capable of transferring the temperature through the air and can also have moisture on it. Moisture on glass is easily seen, but when it is on the metal, it is not as visible.
Wood windows that have failed due to moisture need to be replaced immediately. This can be very costly and labor intensive. So, when it comes time to look at how to weatherize windows, it is important to weigh all options available, looking at the positives and negatives, and decide which one is best.
Secondary glazing is simply an extra glazing panel that is placed on the inside of an already existing single glazed window. It is usually a single glazed piece of glass, but can sometimes be shrink wrap or a plastic film. It is usually surrounded by a metal frame that incorporates a gasket or membrane in order to create an air space that is sealed between the new glaze and the old.
Although some people may be unfamiliar with all that secondary glazing entails, they do know what condensation is and how it happens. With windows, because they are glass, the interior and exterior temperatures are different, causing the moisture that is in the air by the glass to become cool and create a layer of condensation on the surface.
It is important to avoid both humidity and moisture with wood windows. They cause the wood to become rotten and warp, or even worse, become moldy. Problems are often times not noticed until it is too late, requiring the window to be replaced.
Unlike double glazing, which is typically vacuum sealed in a moisture controlled factory, secondary glazing traps ordinary, moisture filled air, between it and the single glazed window. A drafty window can also allow moisture from the outside in. Given the right condition, that moisture will condensate between the glass and settle at the bottom of the window, increasing the chances of rot. This will also increase the humidity level between the two panes of glass, which will effect any wood exposed inside the seal.
Another potential culprit is the metal frame on the glazing panel. Metal is also capable of transferring the temperature through the air and can also have moisture on it. Moisture on glass is easily seen, but when it is on the metal, it is not as visible.
Wood windows that have failed due to moisture need to be replaced immediately. This can be very costly and labor intensive. So, when it comes time to look at how to weatherize windows, it is important to weigh all options available, looking at the positives and negatives, and decide which one is best.
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Looking for more information on the downside to secondary glazing and condensation. Get the low down now in our secondary glazing London and sash window restoration London overview.
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