There is a problem with condensation in our conservatory in the winter months. It is more noticable since installing a radiator in the conservatory (run from the central heating system). Can anyone give any advice ? Is this a fault of the people who built the conservatory ? and why do some people have this problem and others don't ? If this subject has been discussed before, I apologise, I'm new to the Forum. I'd appreciate your help.
Condensation problem
- Thread starter dabhandnot
- Start date
- Joined
- 2 Oct 2006
- Messages
- 6,655
- Reaction score
- 290
- Country
With double glazing etc we live in houses that are almost 'sealed' these days. That's great for keeping the place warm but it means no moisture can escape, which will happen even with a plant in a room let alone the family doing what all people do... Breathing! This can become a big problem (moisture that is... not breathing! I find breathing to been an essential part of my daily routine 
). Do you have ANY ventilation in there? You need to give rooms ventilation.
You don't say what type of conservatory you have but if it has a dwarf wall then you could install a permanent vent (or two depending on the size of the conservatory), through the wall from your conservatory to outside. If you have a 'full panel' type conservatory (ie the glass and/or plastic panels of the conservatory walls rise from the floor to the roof), then you obviously cannot cut a hole through that. If the floor is wooden then you can place a vent in the floor which 'should' have been provided with a vent in the brickwork to outside. If the floor is concrete then you cannot install a vent in that. All I can suggest in this instance is that you install a vent to the adjoining room. Ideally that adjoining room would have a vent to outside.
So ventilation is the key. The people you mention who don't have this problem will have good ventilation. You need to find a way to vent the room and a permanent vent to outside is always the best option. You can of course just open a window in there but that is not a permanent solution as you will no doubt shut the window at night, when you go out etc.
Hope that helps.
). Do you have ANY ventilation in there? You need to give rooms ventilation.You don't say what type of conservatory you have but if it has a dwarf wall then you could install a permanent vent (or two depending on the size of the conservatory), through the wall from your conservatory to outside. If you have a 'full panel' type conservatory (ie the glass and/or plastic panels of the conservatory walls rise from the floor to the roof), then you obviously cannot cut a hole through that. If the floor is wooden then you can place a vent in the floor which 'should' have been provided with a vent in the brickwork to outside. If the floor is concrete then you cannot install a vent in that. All I can suggest in this instance is that you install a vent to the adjoining room. Ideally that adjoining room would have a vent to outside.
So ventilation is the key. The people you mention who don't have this problem will have good ventilation. You need to find a way to vent the room and a permanent vent to outside is always the best option. You can of course just open a window in there but that is not a permanent solution as you will no doubt shut the window at night, when you go out etc.
Hope that helps.
I have this expectation that you heat to space up to 20°C during the evening and the air takes up moisture.
Then you turn off the heating overnight and the air cools and cannot keep so much moisture so allows it to condense on the cold outside surfaces and thats your condensation.
You need to reduce your moisture output or in the extreme to fit a dehumidifier! Do you overboil vegetables in your kitchen or dry wet clothes on your radiators?
Tony
Then you turn off the heating overnight and the air cools and cannot keep so much moisture so allows it to condense on the cold outside surfaces and thats your condensation.
You need to reduce your moisture output or in the extreme to fit a dehumidifier! Do you overboil vegetables in your kitchen or dry wet clothes on your radiators?
Tony
Not a fault, it's just what happens.
your conservatory is mostly made of glass. It has a radiator in it.
In winter, the air inside will be warmer than the air outside.
The glass will be chilled by the cold outside air.
When cold glass is touched by warm air, condensation occurs.
Ventilating from the house will not help as it contains more warm air. Warm air always holds more moisture than cool air. You have to bring in cold air from outside (e.g. an extractor fan turned the other way round) which will reduce the problem, but will not change the fundamental facts.
You can also add secondary glazing or plastic sheet to the inside of the glass to prevent warm damp air reaching the cold glass, but you might not like the look or cost of it.
The better the double glazing, the less condensation will occur, but moisture will be in the air unless you ventilate and replace it with cold dry air from outside.
Also look for avoidable sources of damp air, such as a concrete floor with no dpm; pot plants; air from kitchen or bathroom getting into conservatory.
your conservatory is mostly made of glass. It has a radiator in it.
In winter, the air inside will be warmer than the air outside.
The glass will be chilled by the cold outside air.
When cold glass is touched by warm air, condensation occurs.
Ventilating from the house will not help as it contains more warm air. Warm air always holds more moisture than cool air. You have to bring in cold air from outside (e.g. an extractor fan turned the other way round) which will reduce the problem, but will not change the fundamental facts.
You can also add secondary glazing or plastic sheet to the inside of the glass to prevent warm damp air reaching the cold glass, but you might not like the look or cost of it.
The better the double glazing, the less condensation will occur, but moisture will be in the air unless you ventilate and replace it with cold dry air from outside.
Also look for avoidable sources of damp air, such as a concrete floor with no dpm; pot plants; air from kitchen or bathroom getting into conservatory.
Thanks to all who replied to my query, some helpful advice there, I'll take on board all your suggestions.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local