Condensation around window frames; thermal wallpaper?

GeX · 23 Mar 2023 at 10:38

I have an Edwardian house (rare for the time but it does have cavity walls). It had new UPVC windows by the previous owners.
To me it looks like they're too small and have been fitted too far forwards.

They're flush with the exterior brick line and on the inside there is packing around the inside. This gets cold when it's cold outside, condensation forms on it and then it gets mouldy.

I don't want the expense of replacing all the windows at the moment, but it is something being considered in the future. I'm looking at cost effective solututions to the condensation issue.

Has anyone any experience of thermal wallpaper and if that'd be suitable here. If I strip it all back and glue that on, then paint it.. I feel like it'd solve the issue until the windows are replaced. Not sure how far to go with it, stopping at where the packing stops or bring it all the way up to the level of the internal wall - but then I'd have an edge to deal with.

Or is there another, better solution I've not considered?

gingergundog · 23 Mar 2023 at 11:30

Thermal wallpaper might be better than nothing, sounds a bit snake oil though. What's the packing made of? A wider pic might be useful for people give some ideas. We get the occasional bit of mould on the window reveals and insulated plasterboard is the best permanent option but just haven't bothered yet and its minimal since we had a Drimaster fitted. For the small amount we do get its just mould killer and some mould resistant paint.

The mould in your pic doesn't actually look that bad.

SPG · 23 Mar 2023 at 15:40

Stopped a issue in my house, buy extra stanley blades as its a nightmare to cut, i gave up after one room and paid a decorator for the rest

radderfire · 23 Mar 2023 at 17:17

What room is this in?

What are potential moisture sources in the room?

Does the room have any ventilation like a trickle vent?

GeX · 23 Mar 2023 at 21:43

gingergundog said:
Thermal wallpaper might be better than nothing, sounds a bit snake oil though. What's the packing made of? A wider pic might be useful for people give some ideas. We get the occasional bit of mould on the window reveals and insulated plasterboard is the best permanent option but just haven't bothered yet and its minimal since we had a Drimaster fitted. For the small amount we do get its just mould killer and some mould resistant paint.

The mould in your pic doesn't actually look that bad.

I'm not sure what it's made of, it feels / sounds like brick (plastered) but it doesn't seem big enough to be.

https://imgur.com/a/m6MqLp8 here are some more photos

SPG said:
Stopped a issue in my house, buy extra stanley blades as its a nightmare to cut, i gave up after one room and paid a decorator for the rest

I'd not do the whole room, just around the window. The bits where condensation forms feels cold to the touch when it's cold outside and I'd just want to insulate that.

radderfire said:
What room is this in?

What are potential moisture sources in the room?

Does the room have any ventilation like a trickle vent?

It's in a bedroom, the moisture comes from humans. There is no trickle vent but the window is 'on the latch' at night and open durig the day. The door to the bedroom is either fully open or at night left open a touch. The only damp issue in the room is where these bits round the window get cold when it's cold outside, hence looking at insulating them.

gingergundog · 23 Mar 2023 at 21:55

GeX said:
I'm not sure what it's made of, it feels / sounds like brick (plastered) but it doesn't seem big enough to be.

https://imgur.com/a/m6MqLp8 here are some more photos

I'd not do the whole room, just around the window. The bits where condensation forms feels cold to the touch when it's cold outside and I'd just want to insulate that.

It's in a bedroom, the moisture comes from humans. There is no trickle vent but the window is 'on the latch' at night and open durig the day. The door to the bedroom is either fully open or at night left open a touch. The only damp issue in the room is where these bits round the window get cold when it's cold outside, hence looking at insulating them.

From the way the paint is peeling off, it could a UPVC corner trim. Id probably remove it, clean any mould off, paint and then put some cloaking profile in its place. Should be easier to keep clean in future. That's assuming there isn't a massive gap between window and wall, if there is then just build it out with some plasterboard.

GeX · 23 Mar 2023 at 22:32

I think that's just where it's had sealant smeared on it and then painted over. The other side has the tie off point for the blinds screwed into it

Mel_P · 23 Mar 2023 at 22:49

Useful info here?

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/insulating-wallpaper.

rumple9 · 23 Mar 2023 at 22:55

Put a very small bowl (like a ramekin dish) half filled with table salt - no more condensation

radderfire · 23 Mar 2023 at 23:31

Are you using heating in this room?

What is the building material underneath the mould, i.e. the square/box section, is it wood? Is there a water ingress into it? I ask because you don't have a massive moisture source in the room, so are you sure you don't have a penetrating damp problem, i.e. water is getting into the box section surround from a badly fitted window, therefore it's getting colder than it should and mould is forming.

Does/would this mould clean off easily? It's hard to tell from the pics.

GeX · 24 Mar 2023 at 10:44

Yes, there is heating in this room.

The edging of the box section has rust seeping through the paint, from a plaster edging.. thing (not sure what they're called) I assume. The mould wipes off easily.

I've not noticed the problem to be more promintent when it's raining, but I'll check on that. The outside of the windows was re-sealed a few years back but I'll see if I can see if that's failed.

Basically, I'm fed up of cleaning it and wanted to strip it all back and do something to stop it coming back!

radderfire · 24 Mar 2023 at 12:17

GeX said:
Basically, I'm fed up of cleaning it and wanted to strip it all back and do something to stop it coming back!

As a temporary measure if you just regularly wipe it down to keep it dry, maybe once every other day, then the mould won't grow. I realise this is still a chore, but at least you won't need to clean it and you won't have mould growing.

Yes I would check for water ingress as this sounds like a possibility.

SpellowHouse · 24 Mar 2023 at 13:58

People create a ton of water vapour every day. It condenses just about anywhere. Unless a house is ventilated or constantly heated it will be a problem. It has to go somewhere.

People have had tons of problems of late because they aren't putting the heating on enough. It sounds nuts but if you don't put the heating on then the only solution is additional ventilation. I permenantly keep four windows in my house slightly ajar to compensate for the fact that the heating is only on for limited times of the day.

GeX · 24 Mar 2023 at 14:51

radderfire said:
As a temporary measure if you just regularly wipe it down to keep it dry, maybe once every other day, then the mould won't grow. I realise this is still a chore, but at least you won't need to clean it and you won't have mould growing.

Yes I would check for water ingress as this sounds like a possibility.

Aye, I've been wiping it down but in doing so it's taken paint off in places. I want to strip it, clean it and repaint so it's neat again - but if I can solve the issue whilst doing so then that's a big bonus.

SpellowHouse said:
People create a ton of water vapour every day. It condenses just about anywhere. Unless a house is ventilated or constantly heated it will be a problem. It has to go somewhere.

People have had tons of problems of late because they aren't putting the heating on enough. It sounds nuts but if you don't put the heating on then the only solution is additional ventilation. I permenantly keep four windows in my house slightly ajar to compensate for the fact that the heating is only on for limited times of the day.

Yep, I'm aware of this. We've not limited the heating or changed the ventiallation - the house is as ventiallated as it can be for a ~120 year old house. There's just these bits around the window that get very cold and the water condenses on them!

radderfire · 24 Mar 2023 at 14:59

GeX said:
Aye, I've been wiping it down but in doing so it's taken paint off in places. I want to strip it, clean it and repaint so it's neat again - but if I can solve the issue whilst doing so then that's a big bonus.

When you repaint it, paint formulated as "bathroom paint" should help, as it won't absorb moisture, so you can easily wipe any moisture off.

Mel_P · 24 Mar 2023 at 15:38

Is there some sort of metal frame that has contact with outside cold air and the inside (moist air)? the metal will be the coldest point and thus suffer condensation?

SpellowHouse · 25 Mar 2023 at 08:40

GeX said:
Yep, I'm aware of this. We've not limited the heating or changed the ventiallation - the house is as ventiallated as it can be for a ~120 year old house. There's just these bits around the window that get very cold and the water condenses on them!

I'm not exactly sure what I am looking at in the photo. The window seems set a long way back. It's only a few inches away from the surface of the inner wall. Normally, it would be about six inches. That step, the window liner(?), what is that made of? Does it span the cavity? I'm really curious what they have done.
I'm suspecting that material, whatever it is. I am less than sure that a think layer of anything will help.

Doobedoo · 25 Mar 2023 at 09:21

Have you thought about some mould resistant paint?

Zinsser Perma White Self-Priming Interior Paint

Say goodbye to unsightly mould or mildew on your walls. When you use Zinsser Perma-White, you'll be sure of a stain, scuff and scrub-resistant finish formulated to stand the test of time.Zinsser mould-resistant paint excels in areas of persistent high humidity, frequent temperature changes or...

www.toolstation.com

GeX · 25 Mar 2023 at 09:30

SpellowHouse said:
I'm not exactly sure what I am looking at in the photo. The window seems set a long way back. It's only a few inches away from the surface of the inner wall. Normally, it would be about six inches. That step, the window liner(?), what is that made of? Does it span the cavity? I'm really curious what they have done.
I'm suspecting that material, whatever it is. I am less than sure that a think layer of anything will help.

More photos; https://imgur.io/a/m6MqLp8

The stepped bit is plastered, not sure what’s under it. Plasterboard isn’t a thing in this house. It doesn’t span the cavity and the window is flush with the external brick

GeX · 25 Mar 2023 at 10:14

Not sure why I didn’t check what was outside but those internal bits that get cold and form condensation are the other side of the external brick course