Why does my conservatory get condensation

The very place you are trying to prevent it. If the weather allows, always hang your washing outside. If we are in one of our typical British downpours try the bathroom. If you have a bathroom fan, this can create the perfect solution.

Even if you have the smallest bathroom, you can purchase specially designed racks that fit nicely over the bath. Try to time your washing so you can hang everything in the morning, and it can dry throughout the day. What is a trickle vent? These are small openings or slots installed in the windows or doors which allow a small amount of ventilation into a room, even when the windows are closed.

These vents can be opened and closed as you wish so they act very much like a window lock but with even more security, even if you forget to close them when you go on holiday you still have security.

You can check the price on Amazon for one here. Some even come with settings so you can control exactly how much air comes through, good for those extra chilly winter days when you want a minimal draught but still maintain ventilation. These are not the prettiest home accessory but can also make a real difference. You can purchase these for a relatively low price online.

They are essentially tubs with crystals similar silica gel but they are great at working their magic. Put them on your windowsill and the crystals attract moisture and water is absorbed. They do need replacing as they eventually become filled with liquid. We are guilty of being huge plant lovers.

If we could, we would turn our conservatories into a jungle. Sadly, plants contribute to condensation. They increase the humidity in a room and add to our problem. Choosing the right plants for your conservatory is essential and remember to not go overboard with them, no matter how much you want to.

There are some plants can help with humidity, these include peace lilies, reed palm, English ivy and Boston ferns. These windows are amazing for keeping condensation at bay. Acquiring a dehumidifier has a wealth of benefits. The level of moisture in the air: With limited air vents there is no natural way for this air to escape. The moisture of the air will therefore further build.

It is therefore recommended that you do not air out clothes in your conservatory, as this further contributes to the level of moisture apparent in the air. The temperature of your windows: The larger the contrast in temperature between your windows and room, the bigger chance you have of developing condensation. This is why winter time is a common time for this to occur.

How to stop condensation in a conservatory? The below points, are all things you should do if you do find condensation on your windows. Ventilate your Conservatory: If you have budget available you may want to consider installing a roof vent or an extractor fan to help circulate the air in your conservatory.

Alternatively, leaving your windows slightly ajar daily, should help better ventilate your room. Consider buying Condensation Catchers: These are handy to have in your conservatory as they capture the excess moisture in the air, stopping it turning into condensation when it hits your windows. Allow air to flow through your conservatory: Although you especially want to keep your conservatory warm in cooler months through using things such as heaters, or increasing your radiator temperature, you should ensure the air can freely flow through your room.

We therefore recommend you open your window for a short amount of time daily to allow any excess air to escape. Opening the doors from your conservatory to the rest of your home will also help reduce the build-up of excess moisture. Purchase a Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier works in a similar way to a vacuum, in the way that it draws the air in, stripping the moisture out of it.

The moisture is collated inside. These are cheap to buy and are one of the best ways to stop condensation. Stop drying laundry in your conservatory: Although your conservatory provides the perfect sun trap to dry out your clothes, we recommend you avoid doing this. The moisture from the clothes is likely to further enhance the chances of condensation building up, so alternatively dry them outside if possible. Limit the number of plants housed in your conservatory: Having multiple plants in your conservatory can cause humidity levels to rise.

Purchasing plants such as a peace Lily or reed palm however, will actually help reduce your humidity levels as they absorb the moisture from the air. Finding a solution to condensation in conservatory In reality there is no one perfect conservatory condensation solution, it is very much dependant on the type of conservatory you have and its uses. Dehumidifiers for conservatories As mentioned, purchasing a dehumidifier is a great solution to prevent condensation in your conservatory.

Conservatory ventilation systems If you are wanting more of a fixed conservatory ventilation system, then there are a few options you can consider; we have highlighted these below. Keep the room warm and leave the windows ajar slightly: this may seem strange, but it will help air circulate and remove condensation.

If you're building a brand-new conservatory — or are planning on refurbishing an existing one —consider using trickle vents on the windows and doors, which will allow air to flow more freely than if the room had no ventilation whatsoever. Ventilate your home when bathing, doing laundry and cooking, to avoid the build-up of excess water. Keep doors to the conservatory open so that air can flow freely, and you'll find that the problem is reduced in a very short space of time.

If you are struggling with very bad condensation in your conservatory, a dehumidifier will help. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, thereby preventing it from settling on the windows as condensation. Roof vents will help prevent the build-up of condensation. Avoid filling your conservatory with too many plants, as they will contribute to the build-up of condensation.

If you are worried about your window frames, sills or carpets, you can buy products designed to soak up excess moisture. If your conservatory is no longer performing as it should, making the above changes may not have the impact you expected.

Gaps in the installation may, for example, be allowing cold air in, and your doors, windows and roof may no longer be providing acceptable levels of thermal efficiency. Updating your conservatory is, therefore, something you should investigate. An approved Ultra Installer will be able to recommend the best course of action — but, in the meantime, here are a few ideas for you to consider in light of your persistent condensation problem. Does your roof have trickle vents included as standard?

All Ultraframe replacement conservatory roofs include these as standard, which means you will benefit from a constant flow of fresh air that will help prevent condensation. A replacement roof designed and built by Ultraframe will include high-performing glass that blocks out most solar rays during summer and prevents heat leakage at all other times. Your conservatory will always be the perfect temperature.

If you are yet to build a conservatory — or have been told that a total rebuild is necessary — you may want to take a closer look at bi-fold doors. These open to almost threshold length and create a wide aperture that lets in lots of fresh air.