Soft-Lite Barrington Windows Leaking.

[tim sager]

My new barrington vinyl (Soft-Lite) double hung windows are sweating on the outside of the window, just above the seal. I think its the cold air migrating from the inside thru the seal to the outside and makes the window sweat. We keep the house 68 degrees and its hot and steamy outside this time of year. It appears to be leaking air thru the seal. As the morning goes on it burns off. My local installer (Zero Draft) in Syracuse, NY sais its normal. NOT! Supposidly a factory rep is showing up this Monday for a look see.

T

[HomeSealed]

From Gorell's website:
What causes exterior condensation?

Exterior condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with cool surfaces, such as glass. This type of condensation appears when the dew point in the air is higher than the temperature of the glass. This occurs when a cool night follows a warmer day, most typically during the spring and fall seasons.

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How does low-emissivity (Low-E) glass affect exterior condensation?

Low-E glass reduces heat conducted through the glass from the warm interior of the home to the outside glass surface. Heat conduction can be reduced by as much as 50 percent with an efficient Low-E coated glass. This reflected heat energy reduces the outside glass temperature and can result in condensation on the glass. Exterior condensation is actually an indication that the insulating glass in the window is performing as it should.

[Windows on Washington]

My new barrington vinyl (Soft-Lite) double hung windows are sweating on the outside of the window, just above the seal. I think its the cold air migrating from the inside thru the seal to the outside and makes the window sweat. We keep the house 68 degrees and its hot and steamy outside this time of year. It appears to be leaking air thru the seal. As the morning goes on it burns off. My local installer (Zero Draft) in Syracuse, NY sais its normal. NOT! Supposidly a factory rep is showing up this Monday for a look see.

T

Above what seal? At the meeting rail? Pictures would help.

Exterior condensation is completely normal in many cases and certainly possible with the low interior temperature you maintain.

[shamu]

Warm air holds more moisture than cold so its not the cold air condensing. Just the opposite, the warm moist air condenses on the cooler glass surface which is lower than the dew point. No radiant heating from the sun at night so it doesn't take much for the glass to cool below the dew point especially during the "hot and steamy" summer. Do you notice condensation on your car in morning if you leave it outside? How about the moisture that forms on the outside of a glass of ice water? Are both leaking cold air causing condensation to form?

[randy]

It's a shame the thread is titled as it is. The windows are NOT leaking. This is actually quite common and does not indicate any deficiency with the window.

shamu is right on this one.

[tim sager]

yes they appear to be leaking at the meeting rail, (where the top and bottom window meet and where they lock). No where else does this condensation appear.

[Window4U (IL)]

LEAKING WINDOWS DO NOT CAUSE EXTERIOR CONDENSATION.

[Windows on Washington]

yes they appear to be leaking at the meeting rail, (where the top and bottom window meet and where they lock). No where else does this condensation appear.

Tim,

The condensation on the exterior of the window is the result of the thermal bridging of temperature from inside to outside. The best performance in the window is at the center of glass (COG). This is why less reputable sales people quote COG numbers for their U-factors and R-Values.

At the meeting rail and glass edge (spacer), more of the interior temperature will be transmitted to the exterior surfaces of the window. If you have high relative humidity outside and a slightly cooler meeting rail, you will see some condensation form on the meeting rail and edge of glass.

If we have high enough relative humidity outside (hot and muggy), it only takes a few degrees difference to form condensation.

If you phrased your post as a question, rather than an assertion and slam against the manufacturer, you will probably get more feedback.

There are several dealers for Soft-Lite, myself included, that would not carry that product line if we identified it to have defect.

Best of luck and please keep us updated.