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Windows more insulated than walls

okapi222 | Posted in Green Building Techniques on

We have an old masonry building. We are thinking of not insulating the walls but installing very high R windows so that the windows will be outer surface of the windows will be cooler than that of the walls. Are there condensation dangers in a scenario like this? Thanks.

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Daniel,
    It's always possible to get condensation on windows. If you install high-R windows (low-U-factor windows), there probably won't be any condensation on the interior of the windows unless the indoor relative humidity is very high.

    You'll sometimes see exterior condensation on triple-glazed windows, especially if the windows face a patch of open sky (as they might if the house is on a hill). This exterior condensation occurs under the same weather conditions that produce dew on grass -- for the same reasons.

    You should not experience any problems if you install low-U-factor windows in your brick building.

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