Tired of the mold lining the cracks of your window frame? Unfortunately, a moldy window frame is a common problem for people – especially those in older housing. The question people are asking is, why? Why is your window frame molding, and how do you prevent it from happening? The answer is actually fairly straightforward. Let’s see what’s causing your window mold problem and how to fix it.
Long-Term Accumulation
The good news is, some of you homeowners are simply dealing with long-term accumulation. If you don’t have cleaning your window frame on your chore list, it’s possible that your windows have simply been growing mold for years. A little bit of moisture is all a window frame needs to start accumulating mold in the cracks and crevices. If left to its own devices, that mold can spread across the window track and leave it looking coated in grime. The solution is to simply buy some mold killer or a powerful cleaning spray and clean the window track out.
Rapid Accumulation
If cleaning your window frame has only temporarily solved your problem and mold has returned in less than a year, you are dealing with rapid accumulation. This isn’t caused by simply time; it’s a sign that your windows aren’t doing so great. Let’s look at why that is.
Window Insulation
Modern windows are made with two panes of glass. The space between those two panes is filled with an insulating gas. This insulating gas is heavier than air, which makes it hard for temperature to pass from the outdoors to the indoors, or vice versa.
As windows age, the seal between the window panes and window frame begins to weaken. As it weakens, the insulating gas can leak out. When the insulating gas is diminished or has leaked out entirely, you’re left with an uninsulated window.
Old Windows Cause Mold
When old windows have lost their insulatory properties, they become susceptible to two things: moisture leakage and temperature leakage. Both contribute to window mold.
Let’s start with moisture leakage. If the seal between your window panes has been damaged or weakened, rain water can begin to leak into the space between window panes. You can tell if this is happening if, on warm days, you can see condensation on the inside of your window panes. You can frequently spot this moisture along the edges of the panes. This is not a normal occurrence with functioning windows. This moisture can than cause mold growth between the window panes or further seep past the second pane and into the window track, encouraging mold growth there as well.
Next, we have temperature leakage. You know how a cold glass of lemonade will sweat with condensation on a hot, summer day? If windows aren’t properly insulated, they’ll do the same thing during winter. The cold temperature outside, if not mitigated by insulation, will leave both panes of your window cold to the touch. This cold will draw condensation from your warm interior toward the window. This is why your windows may fog up when it’s cold out. And, as the condensation collects, it will run down the windows and into the window track, leading to window frame molding.
Replacing Old Windows
The only solution for rapid window frame molding is to replace old or damaged windows. Aluplex offers high quality windows to the GTA and we look forward to helping you with your window replacement. Improve the appearance of your home and the quality of your air by ridding your home of window frame molding. Call us today if you have questions about our windows or the installation process.
