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.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term secondary glazing and do not know what it is, secondary glazing is an additional glazing panel added to the inside of an existing single glazed window. Typically a single glazed piece of glass, but sometimes a plastic film or shrink wrap, it is often surround by a metal frame which incorporates some sort of membrane or gasket to create a sealed interior air space between the new glazing and the old.
Although secondary glazing is not a familiar topic for many, most people know about condensation and how it typically happens. With windows, because they are glass, it generally means that the temperatures inside and outside of the glass are different enough to chill the moisture that is in the air between the glass. This results in a layer of condensation on the surface.
Humidity and moisture are two of the most important things to avoid when it comes to wood windows. Both result in the wood becoming warped and rotten, and can cause mold to grow as well. Many times, these issues are not identified until is is much too late, and then the window has to be entirely replaced.
Secondary glazing is not to be confused with double glazing, which is usually vacuum sealed in a factory environment that is moisture controlled. Secondary glazing traps regular, moist air, between the glazing and the single glazed window. Windows that are drafty will allow moisture from the outside to come in, and in the right conditions, the moisture creates condensation between the glass and settles at the bottom of the window. This greatly increases the odds that the window will rot.
Another culprit of condensation is the metal frame on the glazing panel. As is true with glass, metal also transfers the air temperature and can have moisture build-up on it as well. While the moisture on glass is easy to see, when it is on metal, it is much more difficult.
Windows manufactured with a wood frame that are having moisture problems need to be replaced right away. This is usually a labor intensive, expensive project. When considering the best way to protect windows from the weather, it is necessary to consider all the choices available to you, and decide what is best. If you have wood frame windows, you may want to avoid secondary glazing due to the risks associated with secondary glazing and condensation.
Looking for more info on the downside to secondary glazing and condensation. Get the ultimate low down now in our secondary glazing London and sash window restoration London overview.
