If you have a conservatory, you’ll probably have experienced condensation.
It’s more likely to happen when it’s cold outside and warm indoors but it’s made worse by poor insulation and ventilation. A tell-tale sign of condensation is seeing windows steamed up on the inside or feeling droplets of water fall on you, which can turn your conservatory from a relaxing retreat into a damp and mouldy space.
We explore the common causes of conservatory condensation below and what you can do to prevent it.
What causes conservatory condensation?
Condensation happens when warm air vapour collides with a cold surface. Warm air contains more water vapour than cool air, and so when this meets a cold surface it causes the air to cool down quickly and small water droplets are formed.
It usually happens in bathrooms or kitchens where activities like cooking or showering increase the amount of moisture in the air. But it’s also common in conservatories, particularly older ones, during the winter. This is because the heating is typically cranked up and it might be too cold to open windows, which can result in humidity and a vast temperature difference.
Poor insulation
If there’s too little or no insulation in your conservatory walls and roof, the risk of condensation is higher.
That’s because there’s a bigger temperature difference between your conservatory and outdoors. These cold and uninsulated surfaces make way for condensation to form, especially if you use your conservatory for activities like exercising or drying clothes.
Older conservatories aren’t as well insulated as modern ones, especially those with a roof manufactured from a single layer of polycarbonate. While polycarbonate helps decrease condensation as it absorbs moisture, this may not be enough over time as any insulation may have broken down.
Single-glazing
Single-glazed doors and windows also increase the risk of condensation.
When it’s freezing outside, the interior glass surface will be cold to the touch because it's manufactured from one pane of glass. Heat is also lost quickly through single-glazed windows, so you could end up using more energy to keep your conservatory warm.
Old roof
Poorly-insulated and single-layer polycarbonate or glass roofs can also become cold to the touch. These are commonly found in older conservatories and allow heat to escape easily.
If there are gaps or cracks in the roof panels, you could also experience leaking. You can tell the difference between a leak and condensation because condensation typically appears on windows or mirrors, and droplets of water can be seen running on surfaces like walls. It usually happens when you’re doing an activity that raises the temperature, whereas leaks are constant and can leave behind a water stain.
Little airflow
Poor ventilation is a common cause of conservatory condensation. Conservatories need to be airtight to prevent leaks and improve energy efficiency but without good airflow, humidity can increase leading to condensation.
How to stop condensation in a conservatory
Heating a room can reduce condensation, but it might also contribute to it.
Using an electric heater can increase the temperature suddenly but if your surfaces are cold, condensation will form. It can also increase humidity if there’s no ventilation.
Once your surfaces have warmed up, there will be less chance of condensation. But this is a short term and expensive fix because if your conservatory is poorly insulated, the heat will escape quickly and you will end up wasting lots of energy.
Use a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier helps with condensation because it sucks humid or moist air from inside your conservatory. The warm air converts to water, which gets collected in a tank. It can be picked up for around £50-£300 depending on the make and features.
Open doors and windows
Open doors and windows to improve air flow and reduce humidity. But be aware that opening windows might not be the most practical solution in the winter months.
Limit activities
Drying clothes can also cause conservatory condensation because the moisture is released into the air. It’s best to limit this, especially in the winter. Activities like exercising, using kettles or hairdryers, might also be better moved to another room in your house because they raise the internal temperature.
Use condensation catchers
A condensation catcher, also known as a moisture catcher, draws warm air and collects it similar to a dehumidifier. These devices are smaller in comparison and can sit on shelves or window sills. They can also be picked up for under £15.
Improve ventilation
Consider installing a roof vent to let moist air in your conservatory escape.
These are priced up to £300 and some are electronic, so can be controlled by a remote. However, it will need to be fitted into your roof panel by a professional.
Double or triple-glazing
Double or triple-glazing is a big investment but worthwhile because it can reduce condensation significantly.
Double-glazed doors and windows are manufactured from two panes of glass with a gap between them, which is sometimes filled with a gas. This improves insulation and prevents heat transfer, so your interior window pane stays warm even when it’s cold outside.
Triple-glazing works in the same way but with three panes of glass.
Insulation
Insulation will also help prevent condensation because it reduces the amount of cold surfaces in your conservatory. For example, using structurally insulated panels (SIPs) will stop any cold spots forming and keep walls warm.
Roof replacement
Replacing older polycarbonate or glass roofs with a solid tiled roof reduces the risk of condensation.
That’s because solid tiled roofs are fully insulated helping the interior surface stay warm. There are also fewer cold spots because of the way the tiles are laid out and it improves energy efficiency.
The roof replacement can be completed in around 2 days because it’s fitted to an existing conservatory frame.
How to prevent condensation in a conservatory
A conservatory conversion (a EurXtension) provides a way to permanently fix your excessive condensation issues.
A EurXtension replaces your existing conservatory with a solid and fully insulated extension that’s built from insulated wall panels, a solid tiled roof, and double-glazed doors and windows.
This helps to regulate the temperature, solving the ‘too hot and too cold’ issue with conservatories, but also means that surfaces stay warm. It also helps to maintain a regular temperature regardless of the weather and less heat is lost which reduces your reliance on heating appliances.
How it works: Your old conservatory is recycled and a EurXtension is built on the existing base. You’ll have a home consultation and site survey, and then you’ll be given a quote. Once you’re happy with the design, the extension is built off-site to minimise mess and disruption. The expert installation team will arrive at your house ,remove your old conservatory and build the EurXtension in around two weeks.
A permanent solution to stopping conservatory condensation
If you want to put an end to conservatory condensation, the first step is to insulate it and improve ventilation.
Our tips can help to minimise excess moisture, but a Eurocell conservatory conversion is a better long term solution because it’s fully insulated with a tiled roof, double glazing and insulated wall panels.
These help to reduce cold surfaces and in turn, condensation. It’s also more energy efficient and maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year.
Request a design or book a home consultation to get started.