Windows more insulated than walls
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.
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
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.