Today, men are able to build just about anything. There are many modern majestic structures throughout the world. Once a structure has been finished, it is on the the next project. Our cities continue to grow larger, and the building grow older. Many older buildings have been given historic status. They are provided with a sprucing up that holds true to their architectural standards, requiring them to maintain the good old wooden windows or they can be replaced with brand new ones. Many builders add secondary glazing as an attempt to increase the effectiveness of the windows, but there is the potential for problems with 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.
Wooden windows that are failing because of moisture should be immediately replaced. It is important to consider all options when deciding how to weatherize windows, as replacement is costly and laborious. There are positives and negatives associated with all options, but secondary glazing and condensation is an important problem to remember.
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.
Wooden windows that are failing because of moisture should be immediately replaced. It is important to consider all options when deciding how to weatherize windows, as replacement is costly and laborious. There are positives and negatives associated with all options, but secondary glazing and condensation is an important problem to remember.
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