Steel Windows and Condensation DON'T have to go hand in hand

In cold climates the inside temperature of steel window frames become very, very cold. When this cold surface comes in contact with warm moist air on the room side, condensation if likely to form especially when the relative humidity of the room exceeds 30%. Condensation forms because the warm air has the capacity to hold more moisture than cold air does, and when it cools quickly next to the window it has to give up the moisture to the window surface. It is bad enough on the surface and can drip down and ruin plaster and other fine finishes, but it also can form unseen and run behind the wall where mold is likely to grow.

It doesn't have to be this way . . . there is a solution . . . finally.

First, it helps to understand that condensation has been a problem for a long time and the window industry has a way of rating it called Condensation Resistance Factor – or CRF. This is a rating number that is tested for in laboratory conditions and/or computer simulations. It provides a comparison rating between different window and door products permitting fair comparisons. Geographical data is also available to show what CRF is recommended, and where, based on how cold it gets in a particular climate.

Window and door frames are tested for condensation resistance with an interior air temperature of 70ËF and an external air temperature of 0ËF, and a number is assigned to the window based on the test results. Some manufacturers include this number on their NFRC labels and some don't participate in this labeling program.

A CRF rating of 35 is generally considered to be the minimum acceptable rating – the higher the number, the better the rating in terms of condensation resistance.

Traditional hot-rolled steel windows with double pane low-E insulating glass typically test to a CRF only in the 10-11 range – an abysmal figure which means condensation is going to occur regularly unless you take special precautions to introduce air movement at the window openings, heat the frames and/or don't cover the windows with curtains. Radiant heating in a building with steel windows was also a major problem and always had to be be avoided, until now.

“One thing many customers are quick to point out to us is that our products do not experience the condensation that most other steel windows do,” said Ed Page, President of Windorsky, manufacturers of steel and bronze windows and doors. “That's because our product if manufactured differently.”

In fact, Windorsky's Thermal Steel and Thermal Bronze door and window frames have twice the condensation resistance as traditional hot-rolled steel windows, testing in the 20-24 CRF range with double pane low-E insulating glass.

And taking it a step further, Windorsky's revolutionary Thermal Steel Extreme and Thermal Bronze Extreme door and window frames have a whopping five times the condensation resistance as traditional hot-rolled steel windows, testing in the 50-54 CRF range with double pane low-E insulating glass.

Why? Because Windorsky is the first manufacturer to successfully design and manufacture a thermally broken steel window system that has the same aesthetics and strength of traditional hot-rolled steel windows.

Windorsky's attention to detail is unmatched in the industry. Using only the best materials, absolutely no compromises have been made in the product design, material selection, or the manufacturing process.

Windorsky steel and bronze windows and doors have been tested well beyond window industry standards for air infiltration, water penetration and structural load performance and have passed with flying colors. The best framing materials, manufacturing methods, finishing technology, weatherstripping, hardware systems and glazing methodology in the industry means that Windorsky windows will last and last and last.

Handcrafted in Texas and Poland under the most strict engineering specifications, Windorsky's old world craftsmanship has earned it the distinction of being the first steel window company in the world with a prestigious National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) rating

And taking Windorsky's commitment to thermal performance a step further, Windorsky recently designed a custom thermally broken bronze window system for a penthouse project in New York City, where the CRF value tested at an unheard of 60.

Now that's impressive.