How to Get Rid of Window Condensation

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

Condensation can sometimes appear on the inside or the outside of your windows. No matter where the condensation takes place it needs to be dealt with as it is a potential hazard for your home.

If you don’t deal with condensation it can eventually lead to mildew or even mold.  And this is far more unpleasant than actually dealing with the condensation issue.

It is not just a matter of wiping away the condensation that has a covers the window. As you are just wiping away condensation but not fixing the root of the problem. The water from the condensation is still going to be seeping into the window frame causing damage that is not visible until it’s too late.

What Causes Window Condensation?

The main cause of having condensation appear on your windows is excess humidity. One of the easiest thing you can implement in your home is to buy a dehumidifier. This takes out the excess moisture in the surrounding environment and that keeps the moisture off the windows.

Something else that you can buy is a moisture eliminator. They work in a very similar fashion to a dehumidifier. They take the excess moisture out of the air and some moisture eliminating products even contain different scents. So if you have an old home they can double act to remove musty odor smells.

Window Condensation in the Bathroom

Dealing with window condensation in a bathroom is a different story.

Generally this situation is solved with a stronger bathroom fan. It is not advisable to leave the fan switched off with hot water is running. No fan is the perfect situation for the breeding of mold. And this is something you want to avoid. If your bathroom does not have a fan then you would want to consider employing a contractor coming to install one.

If you take these simple steps and you noticed that you still have condensation occurring on your windows then it could be a different issue.

What to do if the Window Condensation Wont Stop?

Older windows are generally held in place with caulk  as a sealant. It is an option to replace the caulk to see if this helps with the prevent condensation. But keep in mind that this is a quick fix and not a permanent solution. If you do this it you might actually increase your energy bills as a result. So it’s more a short term solution to prevent condensation while you deal with a long term fix. Such as replacing your windows.

If you have tried to stop window condensation to no avail then it might be time to call a window replacement company. You do not want to ignore window condensation because it can have very damaging effects to your property and your health in the long time as have been discussed above.

We are happy to do an assessment at your property to see if we can help fix the issue and if we cannot we can help with a quote for replacement windows.

Russell Cotes Art Museum and Gallery – A Must for Art Buffs!

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

If you’re considering a visit to Bournemouth then something that might spark your interest is the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. The museum is a local hotspot for art fans. It’s got a huge collection of artwork. It is a historical structure of architectural heritage in and of itself, going back to 1897.

Originally commissioned by Sir Merton Russell Cotes, a previous mayor of Bournemouth and developed by the distinguished designer John Frederick Fogerty, the building is created in the Celtic motivated Art-Noveau style, which preceded and partially motivated Art-Deco in the 20th century. Russell-Cotes is likewise historically exceptional in that it was originally designed with art-exhibition in mind, making it among the couple of art museums housed in a heritage site created for the function that still shows initial works in its collection.

Sir Russell-Cotes was a strong fan of female artists, and the museum’s initial collection reflects this with portraits by Lady Violet Manners, including a portrait of the well known author and poet Rudyard Kipling, paintings by the pioneering Swiss Neoclassical artist Angelica Kauffmann and sculptures by Kennett Kathleen Shaw.

The founding collection likewise consists of 173 works by Edwin Landseer, understood for his animal portraits, historic scenes and sculptures. Especially noteworthy is his 1860 painting Highland Flood’ which illustrates a biblically suggestive gathering of individuals and animals nestling on a home roof from a devastating flood in the Scottish Highlands.

After the second world war, the museum obtained Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s masterpiece Venus of Venticordia. Russell-Cotes art museum also has Albert Moore’s prominent pre-Raphaelite work Midsummer on display screen.

One of the collections that is show in the exhibits is that of Merton Russel-Cotes’ and his personal tastes. On their way around the globe, Russell-Coates and his spouse got many regional paintings and artifacts consisting of a comprehensive collection of Japanese Noh masks and ritualistic shrines which are also on display screen throughout the museum.

They were no supporters of the impressionist movement and no such works were gathered by him personally. However, the collections were consequently broadened to include modern art from the post war period and beyond, with a focus on local artists from the Bournemouth area, most notably Leslie Moffatt-Ward and his painting A Dorset Landscape, influenced by the Bloomsbury Group, a progressive early 20th century cumulative that included Roger Fry, who was affected by post-impressionism.

If you feel intimidated by the stretching collection, there are free guided tours offered. There is likewise a constant rotation of exhibits, workshops and trips.

Those with a love for plants and decorative gardening will also value the gorgeous yards, ponds and Japanese-inspired garden outside.

Looking for glazing services in Bournemouth. We can help!

Can I Just Replace the Glass of a Broken Window?

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

It’s a good question to ask but the answer to the question is not a simple one. It’s not just a plain “yes” or a plain “no”. It’s really going to come down to how badly the window was broken and how old the window is.

The best thing to do in this situation is to speak with a window replacement company. The first step that should be taking is to find out if your window is covered under some kind of warranty that deals with breakage. If this is the case you might not even need to deal with replacing the window yourself as your insurance company will organize a contractor to come out and do the work. If that is not the case then keep reading for the longer answer.

In which Situation Can Glass just be Replaced?

If you have a single pane window then generally replacing the glass is not an issue. You can even do it yourself and it’s simply a matter of removing the caulk that holds the glass pane in place. Then adding the new glass pane and then re-caulking. If you’re not the type of person who likes to do home renovation then you can always get a window repair company to come out to your property.

If you are dealing with a multi-pane window such as double glazing or triple glazing glass then there are times that replacement is the only option. Especially if you have warranty on the windows but this is definitely best left to a professional window replacement company. It is not recommended try and reply multi-pane glass yourself if you are not qualified.

In what Situation should the entire Windows be Replaced?

There are definitely times where you want to completely replace window units. Situations that would deem this to be the case are when windows are coming up to the end of the life cycle based on manufacturing recommendations. Or when Windows are very old. If Windows a very old it might be quite hard to find a proper replacement so a new unit is the best option.

An obvious situation that a window needs to be replaced in its entirety is when there is damage to the window frame itself. If a new pane of glass cannot be put into the window frame and secured then it is physically impossible to replace the window.

Another example situation is if you have timber frames and they are starting to rot. This could be dangerous for your home and your families safety as they could be easily be used as a break-in entry point. The last thing you want is a robbery because of a failing window frame.

If you’re unsure as to what steps you need to take. If it’s double glazing repair in Bournemouth or if it’s to repair a window feel free to give us a call as we will be happy to help assess the situation.

How Long do Replacement Windows Last?

Posted on by Abacus Glazing

Replacement windows that are installed do you have a lifetime. You might be in the process of replacing your windows or you might be building a new property so you are considering what type of Windows to install based on your budget.

Every window has a lifetime. There is going to be a point in the future when the window needs to be replaced. The lifetime of a windows is going to depend on various external elements that you can’t control. But don’t stress out as even the shortest lifespan windows last for a good 10 years.

If you’re replacing windows in 2018 and beyond the good thing is that a lot of window manufacturers have put extra effort into energy efficiency and going green.  This will really help you cut down your energy bills during summer and winter.

So how long will a New Window last?

It really depends on the material that the window is made from. And something else to keep in mind is that it’s not so much the window that has the lifetime it’s more about the window frame and the material that it’s made from. Below is a Rough Guide of how long you can expect to get out of your replacement windows:

  • Aluminum: 15 to 20 years
  • Skylights: 10  to 20 years
  • Double Pane: 10  to 20 years
  • Vinyl: 20 to 30 years
  • Wood: 30+ years
  • Glazed: 10+ years

There are also two main reasons why you might need to replace your windows during this time frame.

Condensation in the Windows

If you are dealing with double pane windows or more commonly known as double glazed windows. Or even triple glazed windows for that matter. Then overtime condensation can take place in the empty space between the two window panes. This generally happens when temperatures vary quite drastically. The gas between the two window panes expands and contracts continuously. Eventually this causes problems with the windows.

What does this mean? What kind of problems? It means that overtime the seals in the window is going to crack and moisture can form inside the window. This means that your windows can potentially look foggy and might need to be replaced or if possible repaired.

Single glazed or single pane windows can also get condensation issues. Those are easier to fix and we have a blog post on condensation you can read here to fix those issues.

Damaged Windows:

An obvious reason that you might need to repair or replace a window is if it gets damaged. This could be from a heavy object striking the window. This could be from an attempted break-in. This could be from a severe storm that came through the area which protected your home but now the integrity of the window is no longer in tact.

There are many reasons that this could happen. When in doubt it is always best to speak to a Bournemouth glazing and window repair company to come out to do an assessment of your windows.

 

Why You Should Check your Window Seals

Posted on by Abacus Glazing
Phil working at clients home for Abacus Glazing

A well-maintained and comfortable home stays warm and cozy in winter. Or if it’s summer time it stays nice and cool.

As time goes by natural wear and tear takes place and your windows are no exception. You might notice that a draft is seeping into the property when it’s a little windy outside. Or you might notice that when you’re standing next to the window it feels too cold or too warm.

These issues can come down to your windows not being sealed properly.

Why is it Important to have Correctly Sealed Windows?

Having a window that is sealed properly reinforces a windows true purpose. And the purpose of a window is to ultimately keep your window free of rain, pollution, bugs from outside, and even drafts. All while giving you a nice view of outside.

If a window is sealed correctly you’re not going to be paying extra money on your energy bill and your home is also going to be safe and secure. Let’s expand on these two topics.

Cost Efficiency and Improved Energy Usage from your Windows

If you have a window that is not sealed properly even when it is closed then you’re home can end up being chillier during cold months of winter. If this happens then your heater is going to have to use more power than normal and this will increase your energy bill.

The same also applies in summer. If you have a window that doesn’t have correct sealing in place then more heat will come inside. This means your air conditioning unit is going to have to work a lot harder than normal and this will also contribute to your energy bills.

Ultimately having windows that are correctly sealed will reduce your energy costs and this will save you money and make your life at home more comfortable as you be living in the right temperature.

Windows Safety

The safety of your home is not just about protecting your family from break ins. A properly sealed window will prevent anything that mother nature throws at your home. What should stay outside, will!

This is not something that should be taken lightly. Some examples of what can happen if you do not have a properly sealed window could be:

  • Rain that gets into your property can gradually degrade your window frames, your flooring and even furniture. Overtime this can ultimately lead to mold build up. This is very dangerous to breathe in.
  • If you live on a busy road or a Main Street you will probably find a lot of dust ends up in your home. This is not good to breathe in.
  • Expanding on what gets into your property from outside if you live close to a busy road you can have a lot of pollution from cars in your home. This is not good for your health.
  • From a safety perspective, windows that are not sealed correctly can potentially be used as break-in points.
  • If windows are not sealed properly than bugs from outside can get into your property. Even if the area you live in has no poisonous insect then it is still a very frustrating and annoying to see bugs inside your home.

At the end of the day having properly sealed windows is going to protect your home, your contents in your property and your family. Click here to see all out services.