Is your blind the cause of condensation on your window? How can you stop waking up to a little pool of water on your window sill? Condensation has always been an issue, especially in winter. The excessive moisture inside the house condenses on the cold glass. Condensation can also occur between the window panes however this is due to a broken seal between the panes. All we know is apart from the kids loving to draw faces in it, condensation is a real 'pane' (see what we did there?).
Do blinds cause condensation?
No, and here's why. Blinds can’t cause condensation due to the fact they do not produce moisture or heat.
So what are the causes of condensation?
Condensation occurs when warm air collides with a cold surface. The problem is, this is an everyday occurrence. Cooking, showering and drying your clothes are just a few examples of the creation of excess moisture in the home. We have a huge range of Kitchen and Bathroom blinds to help with this.
In winter this is a particular issue. The air inside your home should be significantly warmer than the cold air outside, (even if your partner is a little tight on the heating budget) and as such the warm moist air comes into contact and cools on the glass, creating condensation.
Think about that cool beer on a summers day. Then remember the label being damp to the touch and peeling off. The beads of water running off the bottle that's condensation! Now imagine 20 of those beer bottles in your house and imagine the amount of liquid you are going to have dripping off and the damp it can create.
Problems caused by window condensation
We drink it, bathe in it in so what's the big deal? It's only water... Well the condensation (water) itself is not the issue, it's the damp that can be caused. Damp is a haven for mould! You may notice little black dots around your window frame or even inside the window recess.
The disadvantages of mould are numerous such as:
Allergic reactions
Asthma
General toxins and irritants
Just to name a few. So let's try to prevent that from growing in your home.
Damp can also cause mould to grow on the blind fabric. This is particularly prominent if the blind sits flush to the glass. Mould is an indicator that the blind is too close to the glass and you should consider moving it away. A good solution is to completely remove the blind and allow it to fully dry. Alternatively, spraying it with something like Detol will kill the mould, but it may take a few goes to restore the fabric to it's mould-free state.
Never leave mould to fester. This can lead to irreversible health damages so our advice as soon as you see the mould make sure you deal with it - not only from a monetary point of view, but for your health.
Preventing condensation on your windows
Our top tip when it comes to limiting the condensation on your window is Air Flow and circulation. This will reduce the amount of trapped air between the window and blind and ultimately reduce the levels of condensation.
Blinds do not cause condensation as previously discussed but the fact that air can become trapped between the blind and glass is a contributing factor. So encourage air flow whenever possible, open a window to dry out the pane, keep doors open (especially in the bathroom) and bedroom and if that fails invest in a dehumidifier.
With this in mind we do want to say that blinds are not a main cause of condensation but can be a factor. So if you're finding excess condensation you may need to look at a wider problem such as your home ventilation. Newer builds tend to be well insulated and don't let the cold in or the heat out this mean condensation can be a real issue.
Installing a blind with condensation in mind
If you are worried about condensation we have a couple of tips you can use to make sure condensation is a thing of the past.
Install away from the glass. Installing outside the recess is going to reduce the amount of trapped air between the blind and glass. Consider breathable fabrics such as voile blinds which have a slightly more open weave. Avoid PVC blackout fabrics. If condensation is a problem in your home, buy a Venetian blind. This will allow air to flow more easily through the slats. Be careful with wooden blinds - faux wood blinds should be fine, but real wood blinds famously hate moisture. Dry your window frame, sill and glass by raising your blind when not in use and/or opening a window.
Our summary
Condensation doesn't need to be an issue when choosing your blind. There are so many different things you can do to improve your homes air flow. Blinds not only provide great shade but all blinds also offer a thermal property to help keep your home warm in winter.
