WINDOW CONDENSATION IN ALANYA

Winter in Alanya is mild but damp, and many flat owners encounter wet windows in the morning and black spots on the window reveals for the first time. We explain where condensation comes from, why it is harmful, what you can do yourself and when you need a technician.

Why windows steam up

Condensation forms when warm, moist air touches a cold surface. In winter the glass and frame cool down more than the walls, and moisture from the air settles on them as droplets. On the coast, humidity is high all year round, and inside flats cooking, showers, drying laundry and breathing add to it.

Additional factors typical of Turkey:

• many flats have no central heating and are heated with air conditioning;
• buildings often lack mechanical ventilation;
• flats used seasonally stay closed for long periods;
• many buildings have basic single-chamber glass units.

Windows steam up most in the early morning: overnight the glass cools and humidity in the bedroom rises. If droplets appear only on some days and dry quickly after airing, that is normal. It is time to take notice if water runs down onto the sill every day and the corners of the window stay wet for a long time.

Why condensation is harmful

Droplets on the glass are not just a cosmetic issue. Constant moisture runs down onto the sill and reveals, soaking into the plaster and sealant. Within a few weeks mould appears: black dots in the corners, on the seals and under the sill. Mould damages finishes, furniture and curtains, and its spores are bad for health, especially for children and allergy sufferers.

Owners who do not live in Alanya all year round often discover mould when they return in spring: the flat has been closed for several months, humidity has built up, and nobody was there to air it. That is why prevention is especially important for seasonal homes.

What you can do yourself

1. Air the rooms briefly and regularly — 5–10 minutes several times a day with the sashes wide open is more effective than constant trickle ventilation.
2. Use the extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom, and do not dry laundry in closed rooms.
3. Switch on the dehumidify mode on your air conditioner or use a domestic dehumidifier.
4. Do not block the windows with heavy curtains right against the glass, and do not put wide objects on the sill above a radiator or air conditioner.
5. Wipe off condensation in the morning and treat mould spots with a dedicated product.

If you are away for the winter, ask friends or the management company to air the flat from time to time, or leave a dehumidifier on a timer.

It is useful to buy an inexpensive hygrometer and monitor the humidity in your rooms. A level of roughly 40–60 per cent is considered comfortable. If the reading is constantly higher, airing alone is not enough, and it is worth considering a dehumidifier or better ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen.

When the windows themselves are to blame

If the windows steam up heavily even with normal humidity and regular airing, the cause may lie in the construction:

• a single-chamber glass unit with ordinary glass cools quickly;
• the glass unit's seal has failed — condensation appears between the panes;
• the seals are worn and there are draughts through the gaps;
• the window was installed incorrectly and the installation joint gets cold;
• the sashes are out of adjustment and do not close tightly.

Moisture between the panes does not go away with airing — such a glass unit needs replacing. For this we offer glass unit replacement without replacing the frame. Hardware adjustment and seal replacement are covered by our window repair service.

Another common cause is an incorrectly installed window sill or uninsulated reveals. Cold reveals are where condensation settles first, and that is where mould most often appears. A technician spots such problems during an inspection and can fix them without replacing the window.

If it is time to replace the windows

When the frames are old, the aluminium has no thermal break or the installation was poor, it makes more sense to replace the windows entirely. Choose a profile with good thermal insulation and a double-chamber glass unit with energy-saving glass: its inner pane stays warmer, and almost no condensation forms. Correct installation with a vapour-sealed joint is also important — otherwise even an expensive window will get wet around the edges.

New windows are usually more airtight than old ones, so after replacement the habit of airing becomes even more important. Where air used to come in through gaps, you now need to let it in yourself — otherwise humidity in the flat will rise. Sashes with a micro-ventilation setting help a lot.

Glazed balconies and humidity

A glazed balcony can also "weep" in winter, especially if laundry is dried there. Frameless glazing is not airtight and ventilates well through the gaps, whereas insulated PVC glazing needs regular airing. If the balcony is used as a room, plan insulation and ventilation at the finishing stage.

If you store things on the balcony, do not place boxes right against the glass and walls: air does not circulate behind them, and damp appears there faster. Textiles, shoes and seasonal items are best kept in closed boxes with ventilation holes.

Diagnosis and free survey

If your windows steam up constantly, a technician will identify the cause on site — humidity, the glass unit, the seals or the installation — and suggest the most affordable solution. The survey is free; see indicative prices on our prices page. Call or message us on WhatsApp: +90 535 556 85 25.

Frequently asked questions

See also