We have recently experienced some condensation on our Anderson wood windows when the weather is cold and we pull the insulated blinds. Ultimately we are worried about degradeation, mold, and ultimate rotting of the window sash. What is the best way to bullet proof the wood so that this will not happen and that we also have a nice finish?
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In a remodel I put in two wood windows 18"x48" aprox 5' up from the floor. One was done ten years ago in a shower stall the other 2 year ago in a shower bath combo. Both are awning windows both I oiled with Watco Oil then 24 hours later I top coated with 4 coats of exterior varathane water based Diamond Finish and have had no problems with them. The windows are in a customers house. They are painted wood on the exterior,
Edited 5/22/2003 1:04:07 AM ET by wally
Best way would be to reduce the interior relative humidity level or don't close those insulated blinds.
Hopefully, you have vent fans for the bathrooms and kitchen to control vapor production inside the home........and you're using them.
If you have forced air heat combined with a humidifier, hopefully you have a unit that includes an outdoor sensor which controls the unit's output. If so and you find the setting that's appropriate for your home, you should then only experience the lightest bit of condensation briefly when big cold snaps happen. But those insulated blinds toss a big wild card in the mix.
I hope you don't eventually end up spending on new windows what you saved in the heat bills by using those blinds.
Since you're talking about the interior of the windows, you should be able to use a poly if you like, but I'd recommend an oil-based product. I'd make certain that the wood of the windows is dry and clean and that any existing finish has been properly prepped. Then a couple of coats should do the trick.
I don't know if you're ever really going to be able to get and maintain a perfect seal with the poly between the surface of the glass/glass units and the frame in which it resides. Some moisture will likely find it's way in and will cause any finish to start failing first along that seam. Hopefully that won't happen for a long, long time. Depends how much moisture is present.
If there is currently any finish on the windows, do you know what it is?
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 5/22/2003 9:45:13 AM ET by GOLDHILLER