How To Prevent Condensation In Conservatories?

Most Conservatories are prone to condensation, the good news is that you can do your part to fight the problem. Listed below are some simple tips to combat condensation in your conservatory. Tilt and turn windows, poorly insulated windows and doors and poor ventilation are all causes of condensation. The following tips are simple yet effective. You can use one or all of them to reduce the level of condensation in your conservatory.

What Causes Condensation in Conservatories?

If you have a conservatory, cold air can cause condensation. This happens when water vapour in the air comes in contact with cold surfaces like glass. The water molecules in the air condense and form water droplets on the glass. The more water vapour there is in the air, the higher the chances of condensation.

Condensation is an unattractive condition that occurs when air is in contact with a surface that is cooler than the ‘dew point’ of that material. Condensation is most common during colder months, but it can also happen in warmer weather. As condensation causes dampness to accumulate on walls, it may lead to mould growth. In some cases, it may not even be noticeable unless you have a close eye on the area.

Poor ventilation is a major cause of condensation. Excess moisture in the air turns into water droplets when it meets a cold surface. Conservatories are particularly susceptible to this issue due to the abundance of glass in their construction. .

Colder rooms produce the most moisture. Basements, in particular, are likely to develop condensation. Whole-house dehumidifiers can help you combat the seasonal changes and eliminate moisture from your home but are pricer, there are cheaper alternatives we will look at below.

The best way to prevent condensation is to have ample ventilation in your home. When we are not using air conditioning, the moist air in our home can stay inside, causing condensation. In addition, we can prevent condensation by using energy-efficient windows and doors and reducing the amount of moisture in the air.

What problems can Condensation Cause in Conservatories

Condensation has many consequences. It can be dangerous, destroying your indoor and outdoor homes. If it’s not remedied, the moisture entrapped in the structure can lead to corrosion and loosening of nails, cladding rot and more. In addition, it can cause costly rectification work. The causes of condensation are varied, but the best way to eliminate them is to reduce moisture in your home.

• Condensation can cause mould and further issues if left unchecked. If you find that this is not working mechanical help might be needed, a dehumidifier works wonders if you have heavy periods or months of condensation in your conservatory.
• Conservatories are usually not the best ventilated rooms in the house, and poor ventilation is one of the main causes of condensation. Not only can it ruin the decoration of your conservatory, it can also, if left unchecked, make you and your family sick.
• Condensation is not an immediate threat, but it can ruin soft furnishings and can even cause mould and a musty smell.
• While the outside condensation on the windows is unlikely to damage the soft furnishings in a conservatory, the internal condensation is a serious problem and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to control the problem and we have some tips to help reduce both condensation and the chance of condensation in your conservatoires below.

While we all want to reduce the chances of condensation occurring, please remember we can’t completely avoid it.

Quick Tips to Combat Condensation in a Conservatory

• One of the first things to do when dealing with condensation in your conservatory is to remove the plants you have inside it. As much as possible, you should move indoor plants outside during the winter months.
• Another way to combat condensation is to open your doors and windows slightly to the outdoors. The air in your conservatory needs to escape, so if you keep the doors closed, they will hold in moisture and cause damage to your conservatory’s wooden structure and furnishings.
• A good dehumidifier will allow air to circulate freely and remove excess moisture in the air but cost more in money and power of course.
• To combat condensation, choose high quality double glazed windows. They will provide an additional barrier between cold air outside and warm air inside your home. When water vapour hits the cold surface of the window, it is more difficult to reach the cold internal layer of double glazing. This will help keep the room warmer and the condensation lower.
• Tilt and turn windows allow you to adjust the ventilation to suit your needs. They can be tilted open on the top portion and turned inwards if you want a completely open window.
• If you want to keep your conservatory dry, you can install trickle vents. These are tiny openings in your windows or doors that allow a small amount of air to enter and exit.
• Another option is to use a dehumidifier, which can be expensive but can help you to prevent condensation from forming and will dry out a room quicker if needed.
• install draught-proof and water-proof roof vents. You can install a manual vent for a conservatory roof or an intelligent automatic one.
• You can also install plants to help absorb the excess moisture. Despite the fact that plants are often a source of condensation, there are some that will draw out more moisture than they give out.
• you should also consider gaps in your conservatory’s roof, doors, and windows. This could result in cold air seeping in and decreasing its thermal efficiency.

Poorly ventilated conservatories

Keeping your conservatory well ventilated is important. If you have a poor ventilation system, you’ll likely suffer from condensation. The cold weather traps moisture inside, causing it to condense overnight.

One way to reduce condensation is to open a window to let more fresh air in. Another way is to clean the conservatory’s roof and glass panels with a mild detergent. Ensure you wipe off any visible condensation.

If you are constructing a new conservatory then vents are something you should consider to help reduce condensation from the outset.

Insulated lightweight roof reduces condensation in conservatories

Installing an insulated lightweight roof to your conservatory is a great way to keep your room warmer during winter and cooler during summer. Conservatories can often overheat in the summer and feel more like an orangery.

An insulated roof keeps the temperature in the conservatory more stable than a solid glass roof. Listed below are some of the benefits of insulated lightweight roofs. They may be a better choice than solid glass roofs.

Having an insulated lightweight roof will dramatically reduce condensation in your conservatory. You can get an insulated lightweight roof for conservatories for much less than you might think.

Using a specialist Thermal Wadding Membrane for your conservatory’s roof is an excellent way to control condensation. It blocks radiant energy from entering your conservatory while maintaining a consistent temperature. A specialist Thermal Wadding Membrane also includes a Metalised PolyFoil Barrier and Vapour Control Foam Membrane.

Conclusion

Condensation can be a real headache, but it doesn’t have to be. By addressing these problems in advance or at least early you can avoid the more serious issues that may happen later. At its simplest level air flow will help avoid condensation in you conservatory. If you have found a larger condensation problem then you might need to consider vents, or even dehumidifiers to help remove it.

Either way staying on top of it is important as left unchecked it could causes both structural and health issues over time.