In the months preceding Winter, the outside temperatures fluctuate, meaning we experience warmer days and nights that get increasingly colder as Winter approaches. The result is more condensation on the inside of doors and windows, even in homes with modern double glazing.
Condensation on aluminium bifold doors is caused by warm, moist indoor air meeting the cooler glass and frame. It's normal in autumn and winter rather than a fault, and you can reduce it by cutting indoor moisture, ventilating with trickle vents and extractor fans, and running a dehumidifier. Condensation between the panes of glass is different: it means the sealed unit has failed.
What Causes Condensation on Aluminium Bifold Doors?
If you notice condensation on your double-glazed doors, you might assume your doors are at fault, but they're not. The condensation evident during September and October is normal, so there's no need to worry, and it isn't connected to your doors, windows, or glass. Let's look at further information about what causes condensation on aluminium doors and offer some advice on what you can do about it, noting too that it is not necessarily a fault with recently fitted doors or new windows.
Is High Indoor Humidity Causing the Condensation?
The condensation is likely not caused by any house defect like rising dampness or mould but results from an increase in interior moisture, and it's pretty standard on aluminium bifold doors and aluminium windows during Autumn and Winter.
Condensation occurs when warm air with a high moisture content makes contact with cold surfaces. On contact with a cold surface, like a door, window or frame, the air releases this excess moisture, which forms condensation droplets as it converts to liquid form.
For obvious reasons, we keep our doors and windows closed during the colder months, which means there is less air circulation and ventilation inside, with warmer air containing more moisture. Conversely, outside is growing colder due to the seasons, meaning a lower temperature and a more significant thermal differential between inside and out.
With these kinds of temperature differences in play, condensation thrives because:-
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The inside air is already warm due to central heating.
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We're creating moisture in the air by washing, cooking, bathing and even by sleeping and breathing.
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The outside of our aluminium doors and windows are directly exposed to the colder outside weather conditions.
So you end up with warm and moist interior air, cold aluminium frames and glass, and immediate condensation issues when the combination combines.
Do Aluminium Frames Cause Condensation?
Not on their own. Modern aluminium bifold doors have thermally broken frames and insulated double or triple glazing, so the inner surfaces stay relatively warm. Condensation forms when indoor humidity is high enough to reach the dew point on the coolest surface, which is usually the edge of the glass or the bottom of the frame.
Aluminium itself conducts heat, but modern frames use a polyamide thermal break between the inner and outer sections, which makes them a good choice for door and window frames in UK homes. The energy efficiency of modern aluminium bifold doors and windows incorporates the entire door and window design, not only the double-glazed glass.
The latest aluminium designs afford greater insulation through features such as a thermal break, so you can lower your carbon footprint and maintain the warmth of your home simultaneously through less energy consumption, with U-value also helping indicate thermal performance.
It may interest you that aluminium frames are no colder to the touch than materials like uPVC windows, which is also not generally as environmentally friendly as aluminium. There are many other areas where aluminium vs uPVC bifold doors reveal some interesting facts.
The long and the short of it is that a thermally broken aluminium frame is no more prone to condensation than other modern frame materials; high indoor humidity is the main cause.
Some window and door companies will tell you that their products eliminate condensation. Still, while double-glazed units will assist in reducing it, several other factors produce excess moisture in the air, which is the root cause of condensation. No new door or window, even when properly installed, will prevent condensation entirely, so explore our aluminium bifold doors and consider the benefits.
How Do You Stop Condensation on Aluminium Bifold Doors?
Lower indoor humidity and improve ventilation: use extractor fans when cooking and bathing, open trickle vents, run a dehumidifier, dry washing in one ventilated room and aim to keep relative humidity below about 60%. Wipe or vacuum any condensation each morning so it doesn't damage seals or encourage mould.
There are many effective ways to release moisture from the humid air and reduce condensation on your home's aluminium bifold doors and windows, no matter how cold the outside temperature is.
Where Does the Excess Moisture Come From?
There's no doubt where most excess moisture is generated in a home. The kitchen and bathroom are the two rooms in any house that release the most moisture, contributing to condensation issues. Think about it - hot showers and baths, boiling pots on the stove, roasting food in the oven, and everybody's steaming plates on the counter.
All of the above release moisture into the air, creating excess humidity, which filters into the rest of the home and settles on the coldest surfaces - your windows and doors exposed to the outside elements - to encourage condensation.
If you're generating heat in your bathroom or kitchen, make sure you close the door and switch on your extractor fan if you've got one, leaving it running for a sufficient time after cooking or bathing. If you don't have one, perhaps you should consider having one installed in the bathroom and kitchen, as its purpose is to extract warm and humid air from your living environment.
Alternatively, switch on a regular fan for at least 15 minutes when you're finished in the room and close the door behind you.
Should You Use a Hygrometer to Monitor Humidity?
Without a monitoring device, it's not simple to see or feel moisture build up in your living environment. A hygrometer almost looks like a clock and is ideal for keeping an eye on your home's RH, or relative humidity, level.
A UK household typically has an RH level of between 45% and 55%, so if you notice the level climbing above this, switch on your fan, extraction fan or dehumidifier, or even open some doors or windows for a while.
Does a Dehumidifier Stop Condensation on Bifold Doors?
We all know that a dehumidifier is excellent for getting rid of mould, but it doesn't directly kill the mould; it lowers the relative humidity in a home which, in turn, stops the mould from growing. For this reason, a dehumidifier is potentially one of the best tools for combatting condensation.
So dehumidifiers lower your home's humidity levels. Also, many newer models can monitor the RH levels in your house and automatically switch them off and on for increased energy efficiency. Dehumidifiers also warm the places where they're operating, with the dryer air emitted being 3-5 degrees warmer than the ambient air it's replacing.
Many dehumidifiers also contain shutters that allow you to aim the dryer air in the direction of a window or door to remove any built-up condensation or heat the area. Hence, it's less likely to appear there in the first place. Taking moisture from the air makes the creation of condensation much less likely, and a dehumidifier is probably the best way of doing this.
How Should You Dry Clothes Indoors to Avoid Condensation?
Although tumble dryers are effective for drying your clothes indoors, they aren't energy efficient, and it's no wonder many are white elephants in homes due to inflating energy prices. This is a good thing if you're battling condensation on your aluminium bifold doors and windows, as a tumble dryer likely creates condensation more than most other home appliances, so dry washing indoors needs more careful planning.
Drying your washing inside your house in one dedicated space will release plenty of moisture into the air, and nothing will change that. The trick is to limit the effect of this moisture by planning how you dry your clothes. We recommend you put the following simple measures in place to do this.
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Use one room to dry your washing.
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Please close the door and keep it closed so the moisture spread is limited.
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Leave the window in the drying room open, even if it's only one window latch notch, to allow the humid air to escape. If you need to, block the gap underneath the door to keep the cold air from escaping into the rest of your house.
What's the Best Way to Remove Existing Condensation?
A window vac won't prevent the build-up of condensation but can assist in removing it from glass surfaces. Window vacs were created to remove excess dirt and soap water from window panes, but they're also an effective way to eliminate existing condensation.
It's easy to remove a large amount of condensation in only a few minutes, and you won't need to wet and dirty your towels to remove them, which means no more wet towels to release further moisture inside your home. It's also less messy as you spill the excess water collected straight down the sink or in the bushes outside.
Although you'll never find a door that keeps condensation at bay completely, the above tips might help you to put some steps in place to keep the problem under control. Aluminium bifold doors are certainly not immune from the risk of condensation, but the aluminium door options we have to offer will certainly keep you warm inside and reduce your energy bill.
Bifold Door Condensation FAQs
What are trickle vents on aluminium bifold doors?
A trickle vent is a device on a bifold door that provides a consistent flow of clean air into a room. It doesn't cause a draught and will assist to reduce condensation.
When you open a trickle vent, will it stop condensation?
A trickle vent allows ventilation in and will reduce the chance of condensation by allowing humid air to escape. A trickle vent will not guarantee you won't get any condensation.
Should I wipe condensation from my aluminium bifold doors?
Remove any condensation first thing in the morning when most evident. Consider getting a window vac for this purpose, and use a fresh towel or a squeegee to dry the pane properly once done.
What can cause condensation inside bifold doors?
If you see condensation or misting between the panes of glass, it's probable that the glazing unit seal has stopped working, allowing regular air inside the unit, and the sealed unit may need to be replaced. This is different from normal surface condensation seen on efficient glazing when the temperature rises outside.
Is condensation on new bifold doors normal?
Yes. New homes and extensions release a lot of moisture from drying plaster, screed and paint for several months, so condensation on brand-new bifold doors is common. It should reduce as the building dries out, provided the room is heated and ventilated.
Why is there condensation at the bottom of my bifold doors?
The bottom of the glass and the sill are usually the coolest parts of the door, and cold air sinks, so moisture condenses there first. Keep the drainage slots in the track clear and wipe the sill regularly. If water is coming in rather than condensing, see our guide to sealing aluminium doors and windows.
Does triple glazing stop condensation on bifold doors?
Triple glazing keeps the inner pane warmer, so it reduces condensation, but it can't stop it if indoor humidity is very high. A lower U-value helps, but ventilation and humidity control still matter most.
Can condensation damage aluminium bifold doors?
Aluminium won't rot or rust, but water left to sit on the sill can degrade seals and lead to mould on the frames and gaskets. Wipe it away daily during colder months. For windows, see our guide to preventing condensation on aluminium window frames.
