As summer approaches and spring showers come and go, the humidity levels rise – and we start to feel that icky, uncomfortable air. You start to see windows fogging and doors getting stickier. But how does humidity really affect your home?
Humidity
Humidity is the water content in the air, which leaves your skin feeling moist and warm when you go outside on a rainy summer day. As the air gets warmer, the more humidity the air can hold. It sounds harmless, but humidity can do major damage to your home’s exterior over time.
Doors
If you have found that your door is getting harder to open, sticky and sealed shut, it could be due to the humidity. When the relative humidity is high in the summer, your doors start to stick. The wood expands with all the extra moisture, making the door stuck in its frame, becoming more difficult to open. Humidity can cause the wood to warp, twist and expand to different shapes and sizes, permanently making your door unable to fit properly in its frame in a worst-case scenario.
Windows
When you start to see condensation that you can touch on your window (meaning, not between the panes of glass), it means there is a high percentage of humidity and water vapor in the air. Some condensation is totally normal, and it’s called “sweating.” Windows are the coolest surface of the home, since the glass is a good conductor of heat, and perfect for forming condensation. Again, this is a normal scenario with windows – especially at the start of summer.
Excessive condensation, on the other hand, is a problem. You’ll notice excessive condensation when paint begins to peel or wet spots start to show up. If you’re experiencing excessive condensation, it’s key to control your indoor humidity.
Summer is here and so is humidity. If you are having problems with humidity on the exterior of your home, call Window World TX to discuss your home improvement upgrade options.
