ᐅ Window Replacement: Advantages and Disadvantages?

Created on: 26 Jan 2014 10:35
H
Hebras
H
Hebras
26 Jan 2014 10:35
Hello,
I live in a rental apartment and I notice that very cold air comes down from the Velux roof windows with the designation TGL 22065 R90. In other words, they don’t seem to keep the cold out very well. Additionally, water always collects in the corners and the wood develops some mold. I clean and treat it with mold inhibitor, but it keeps coming back.
Now I wonder... would replacing the windows with new ones featuring better insulating glass prevent the moisture from forming? And would I save on heating costs? Of course, new windows always offer some improvement, but I don’t know how old these are and maybe they are replaced simply because of their age. I would appreciate helpful information to better assess this situation. Thank you.
Der Da27 Jan 2014 10:14
Hebras schrieb:
Of course, new always means an improvement

That’s not entirely true. If the windows in an old apartment are suddenly replaced and the apartment becomes airtight, the occupant must quickly change their ventilation habits. Otherwise, the whole place will develop mold.

What does your landlord say? You don’t want to replace the windows yourself, do you?
Even with new windows, you will face this problem. Maybe less severe, but wherever there is moisture and a cold surface, condensation will occur.
The only solution is: wipe and ventilate, ventilate, ventilate... Especially after showering, cooking, and when hanging laundry.
D
Doc.Schnaggls
27 Jan 2014 13:22
Hello,

as Der Da already mentioned, replacing the windows does not necessarily improve these issues.

In our current apartment (built in 2001 – at that time low-energy standard), we also have two plastic roof windows that tend to develop condensation at the current outside temperatures.

The only effective solution is really this: wipe dry, ventilate, and reheat, because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air.

Best regards,

Dirk
K
Kurt1985
8 Mar 2014 08:47
I also believe that replacing the windows often does not lead to any improvement. What really needs to change is the ventilation behavior. The landlord will be reluctant to install new windows for you, so you can forget about that.
E
Explosiv
9 Mar 2014 09:45
Hi,
if the insulation values of the windows are so poor that condensation forms despite a normal room temperature of 21°C (70°F), in my opinion, this is a defect. Replacing the windows then falls under maintenance rather than modernization, so it cannot be passed on to the landlord through higher rent. I have installed four Velux windows myself from around 1990, and none of them have condensation, even when the indoor temperature is only 18°C (64°F).
Roof windows often have the option to be set to a ventilation position that is rainproof. Proper ventilation should become a habit in every home, regardless of whether the roof windows are new or not. I would suggest discussing this with the landlord.