Condensation In Double Glazing Medway
Noticed condensation on your windows and wondering whether your double glazing has failed? I'm Tim from TS Glazing and this is one of the questions we're regularly asked by homeowners across Medway.
The important thing is where the condensation is appearing. Moisture on the room-side of the glass, on the outside, and trapped between the panes can mean very different things.
Does Condensation Mean My Double Glazing Has Failed?
Not necessarily. Seeing condensation on a window doesn't automatically mean there is anything wrong with the double glazing.
Condensation forms when moisture in the air meets a surface cold enough for that moisture to turn into water droplets. Windows are often one of the places where this becomes most visible.
The first thing I want to know is whether the moisture is on the inside surface, the outside surface, or actually between the two panes of glass.
If it's trapped between the panes, that's when we start looking more closely at whether the sealed glass unit has failed. This forms part of our wider double glazing repair service across Medway.
Where Is The Condensation On Your Window?
This is the easiest way to start understanding what you're seeing. Condensation can appear in three different places, and they don't all point to the same problem.
Condensation Inside Your Home
This is moisture forming on the glass surface facing the room – the side you can touch and wipe.
It can occur when warm, moisture-containing indoor air meets a colder glass surface.
- Can be wiped from the glass
- Often linked to indoor moisture levels
- Ventilation can be relevant
- Doesn't automatically mean failed glazing
Condensation Inside The Double-Glazed Unit
If moisture or misting is trapped between the panes and can't be wiped away from either accessible surface, the sealed glass unit may have failed.
This is what people often describe as a blown window or misted double glazing.
- Can't be wiped from either side
- May look misty or cloudy
- Can indicate a failed sealed unit
- Whole frame may not need replacing
Condensation On The Outside
Moisture can also form on the exterior surface of glazing under certain temperature and humidity conditions.
Exterior condensation by itself does not mean the sealed glass unit has failed.
- Forms on the external surface
- Usually varies with weather conditions
- Can clear naturally
- Not the same as moisture between panes
Can You Wipe The Condensation Away?
If you're unsure where the moisture is, this is a useful first check.
Try wiping the accessible inside surface of the glass. If the condensation disappears, the moisture was on that surface rather than trapped inside the double-glazed unit.
If the glass still appears misted, check whether the moisture is on the outside surface.
If neither accessible surface is wet but you can still see misting or moisture inside the window, it may be trapped between the panes.
That's when it's worth having the glass unit checked.
Three Quick Checks
Does the moisture disappear from the room-side surface?
Is the moisture actually sitting on the exterior surface of the glass?
If neither surface is wet but the window remains misted, the moisture may be inside the sealed unit.
What If The Condensation Is Inside The Double Glazing?
A double-glazed unit contains two panes of glass forming a sealed unit.
If that sealed unit fails, moisture can become visible between the panes. Because it's inside the unit, you can't simply wipe it away.
The glass may look misted, cloudy or hazy, and the appearance can sometimes change depending on temperature and weather conditions.
This is commonly referred to as a blown double-glazed unit.
We've created a separate guide specifically covering blown, cracked and damaged double glazing in Medway.
Do Misted Windows Need Completely Replacing?
This is where we can potentially save homeowners from replacing more than is actually necessary.
If the moisture is trapped between the panes because the sealed glass unit has failed, it doesn't automatically mean the surrounding window frame has failed too.
If the frame is otherwise in suitable condition, it may be possible to deal with the affected glass unit separately.
That's one of the reasons TS Glazing takes a repair-before-replace approach.
We'll look at the glass, frame and operation of the window and explain what actually needs attention rather than assuming you need completely new double glazing.
Don't Assume The Whole Window Has Failed
A double-glazed window is made up of several components. The glass unit can have a problem while the surrounding frame remains perfectly serviceable.
That's why I prefer to assess the window first.
If the glass unit is the only issue, we'll explain that. If there are other faults with the window, we'll explain those too.
What Causes Condensation On The Inside Of Windows?
Condensation on the room-side of the glass is usually a different issue from a failed sealed unit. It happens when moisture-containing indoor air meets a sufficiently cold surface.
Cooking
Cooking and boiling water can release significant amounts of moisture into the air.
Baths & Showers
Bathrooms can quickly become humid, particularly where moisture isn't being extracted effectively.
Drying Clothes
Drying wet laundry indoors releases moisture into the surrounding air.
Everyday Living
People naturally add moisture to indoor air through normal daily activities and breathing.
Limited Ventilation
Moisture can build up more readily when humid indoor air has limited opportunity to escape.
Cold Surfaces
Condensation becomes visible when moist air meets a surface that is cold enough for water droplets to form.
What Can Help With Condensation Inside The Home?
If the condensation is on the room-side surface rather than between the panes, reducing excess indoor moisture and improving ventilation may help.
- Use extractor fans when cooking and showering
- Keep suitable ventilation routes open and clear
- Use trickle vents where fitted and appropriate
- Avoid allowing large amounts of moisture to build up indoors
- Ventilate rooms after activities that produce significant moisture
- Wipe away persistent surface condensation rather than allowing water to remain around the frame
If you're unsure whether what you're seeing is normal surface condensation or a glazing fault, contact us and we'll help you identify the difference.
What About Window Ventilation?
Some windows have trickle vents designed to provide a background route for ventilation when used correctly.
If your windows have vents, check that they aren't unintentionally closed or blocked.
Ventilation is only one part of managing indoor moisture, however, and the right approach depends on the property and where the condensation is forming.
Why Is There Condensation On The Outside Of My Double Glazing?
Exterior condensation can surprise homeowners because it can look as though something has gone wrong with the window.
However, moisture forming on the outside surface is not the same thing as moisture trapped between the panes.
Under suitable weather conditions, the outside surface of the glass can become cool enough for moisture in the outdoor air to condense on it.
This may be particularly noticeable at certain times of the morning and can disappear as conditions change.
The key point is that external surface condensation alone doesn't mean your sealed glass unit has failed.
Location Matters More Than The Word “Condensation”
When you contact us, tell us where the moisture appears:
- Inside surface of the glass
- Outside surface of the glass
- Between the panes
That simple information can immediately help narrow down what may be happening.
Got Misting Between Your Double Glazing?
If the moisture appears to be trapped between the panes, contact Tim and Sam. We'll help establish whether the sealed glass unit has failed and what repair options are available.
What Happens If Your Sealed Glass Unit Has Failed?
Contact Sam
Tell us where the condensation is appearing and which window is affected.
Assess The Window
Tim can check whether the issue is with the sealed glass unit or another part of the window.
Explain The Options
If the unit has failed, we'll explain the appropriate replacement or repair option.
Complete The Work
Where suitable, the affected glass unit can be replaced while retaining the existing frame.
Other Double Glazing Problems We Can Help With
Condensation isn't the only issue that can affect windows and doors. TS Glazing investigates and repairs a range of common glazing problems across Medway.
Blown & Cracked Glass
Failed sealed units, cracked panes and damaged double-glazed glass can often be dealt with without replacing the complete frame.
Blown & Cracked Glass →Failed Seals & Gaskets
Shrinking, damaged or deteriorated rubber gaskets around windows and doors can cause separate problems.
Failed Seal Repairs →Handle & Lock Repairs
Broken handles, faulty locking mechanisms and windows or doors that have become difficult to operate.
Handle & Lock Repairs →Cold Spots & Draughts
Cold areas around frames can have several causes, including sealing, fitting and installation issues.
Cold Spots Around Windows →Bifold Door Problems
We also investigate rollers, alignment, handles, hinges and locking issues affecting bifold doors.
Bifold Door Repairs →All Double Glazing Repairs
See the complete range of window and door problems we investigate through our main Medway repairs service.
Double Glazing Repairs Medway →Is A Blown Unit The Same As A Failed Window Seal?
You'll often hear both problems described as a “failed seal”, but homeowners may actually be talking about different parts of the window.
A rubber gasket around the frame is different from the sealed double-glazed glass unit itself.
If the visible rubber around the window has shrunk, cracked, pulled away or deteriorated, that's a different problem from moisture trapped between the glass panes.
We've explained this separately in our guide to failed seals and gaskets in double glazing.
Again, it's about identifying exactly which part of the window is causing the problem before carrying out a repair.
Don't Confuse These Problems
- Surface condensation – moisture on an accessible surface of the glass.
- Failed sealed unit – moisture trapped between the panes.
- Failed gasket – deterioration of rubber sealing components around the window or door.
They may look related from a homeowner's point of view, but the correct solution can be completely different.
Misted & Blown Double Glazing Repairs Across Medway
TS Glazing is a local family-run glazing business helping homeowners with misted windows, failed glass units and other double glazing problems throughout Medway.
We work across Gillingham, Rainham, Chatham, Rochester and Strood, as well as Hempstead, Wigmore, Lordswood, Walderslade, Upchurch and surrounding communities.
For more local repair information, visit our pages for double glazing repairs in Gillingham, double glazing repairs in Rainham, double glazing repairs in Chatham, double glazing repairs in Rochester and double glazing repairs in Strood.
Local Double Glazing Advice From Tim & Sam
Years' Experience
More than 25 years of hands-on experience with windows, doors, glazing and repairs.
Family-Run
Sam looks after enquiries and customer communication while Tim handles the practical glazing work.
Repair Before Replace
A misted glass unit doesn't automatically mean the complete window needs replacing.
Clear Diagnosis
We establish where the condensation is and what part of the window may actually need attention.
Customer Reviews
See independent customer feedback through our Checkatrade and Google review profiles.
Medway Based
A local glazing company serving homeowners throughout the Medway towns and nearby communities.
Not Sure Why Your Windows Are Misting Up?
Contact Tim and Sam and tell us where the condensation appears. If it's trapped between the panes, we can help establish whether the sealed glass unit has failed and what needs replacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does condensation mean my double glazing has failed?
No. Condensation on an accessible inside or outside surface does not automatically mean the double-glazed unit has failed. Moisture trapped between the panes, where it can't be wiped away, is different and may indicate a failed sealed glass unit.
Why is there condensation inside my windows?
Room-side condensation forms when moisture-containing indoor air meets a sufficiently cold surface. Cooking, showers, drying clothes, everyday living and limited ventilation can all contribute to indoor moisture.
Why is there condensation between my double glazing?
If moisture is genuinely trapped between the panes, the sealed double-glazed unit may have failed. This is commonly referred to as a blown or misted unit.
Can a misted double-glazed unit be repaired?
Where the problem is confined to the sealed glass unit and the surrounding frame is otherwise suitable, the affected unit may be replaceable separately from the complete window.
Why is condensation appearing outside my new double glazing?
Moisture can form on the exterior surface of glazing when weather and temperature conditions allow that surface to become cool enough for outdoor moisture to condense. External surface condensation alone does not mean the sealed unit has failed.
Is a blown unit the same as a failed window gasket?
No. A failed sealed glass unit and a deteriorated rubber gasket are different problems. Read our guide to failed window seals and gaskets in Medway for more information.
Do I need completely new windows if the glass is misted?
Not automatically. If the existing frame is otherwise suitable, replacing the affected glass unit may be an option. Our double glazing repair service in Medway focuses on establishing what has actually failed before recommending replacement.
Can ventilation help with condensation?
Where condensation is forming on the room-side of the glass, managing indoor moisture and appropriate ventilation can help in many situations. This is different from condensation trapped between the panes, which points to a glazing-unit issue.
Which areas do you cover?
TS Glazing carries out double glazing repairs across Medway, including Gillingham, Rainham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Hempstead, Wigmore, Lordswood, Walderslade, Upchurch and surrounding areas.
How do I get my misted windows checked?
Contact Tim and Sam through the TS Glazing contact page or call 01634 553006. Tell us where the condensation appears and which windows are affected. Photographs can also help us understand what you're seeing.