Solve Condensation Problems in a Pocket Replacement Window

LESLIE: Jerrod in Nebraska, welcome to The Money Pit. What’s going on and how can we help?

JERROD: Well, my question is I just put a – I put a new window – pocket replacement window; it has the low-e glass on it. On the outside of that is the storm window. And since I’ve put it up I’m getting moisture on the inside of the storm window; not on the new windows. But I’m trying to figure out how I get that to quit building moisture up.

TOM: Well, if you’ve used low-e thermal pane glass, you don’t need storm windows. Because the storm window is not as tight as the thermal window; the thermal pane. So in that case, I probably would not have even put up storm windows because what’s happening now is you’re getting moisture that’s obviously working its way through the storm window, which is very understandable.

LESLIE: Because they’re so – there are so many air filtration units over there. It’s slipping around it and then you’re getting the warmth from the new windows which are really energy efficient and this pocket of air in there is warmer than the cool air on the outside. So now you’re seeing the condensation and now you’re getting a moisture trap.

TOM: And that’s going to freeze. So that’s what’s going on. You’ve got some basic weather science there working against you. I don’t really think you need the storm window. Why did you put that back on, Jerrod?

JERROD: Actually I was – it was just a pocket replacement so I took the inside of the old, existing window out …

TOM: Oh, I see, I see. You slipped the inside out. OK. So you had this storm window on when you had the old wood windows. Well listen, you probably don’t need them anymore. And it’s not hurting you, as long as you don’t mind the frost on there. But you probably don’t need them anymore with the good quality replacement window.