7 Tips for Cold Frame Condensation Control

If your post frame building has an ongoing wet sill, mold stains or musty smell near windows, scheduling a mold inspection could save your walls from rotting drywall, sagging trim and costly moisture-related wall issues.

Condensation occurs when warm moist air cools quickly and water vapor forms on cold surfaces. Circulating the air using fans and ventilation can reduce condensation as can insulating around window corners and using low E storm windows with nonconductive frames to combat it.

1. Seal Air Leaks

Air sealing is one of the most efficient, cost-cutting ways to lower heating and cooling bills and increase comfort. It involves filling cracks, gaps, or penetrations with caulk or similar materials in order to stop drafts from coming through and loss of energy.

Start at the attic floor and rim joist/foundation zones, where leakage causes warm air to escape into the attic while cold outside air is drawn in through leaky foundation joists or leaky foundation walls and infiltrate into living spaces through infiltration ducts (known as air infiltration). This creates an endless cycle that greatly increases heating and cooling needs while simultaneously bringing in pollutants, dust mites, moisture build-up, mold growth, etc. Into living areas.

Once these leaks have been sealed, condensation control issues can be addressed using insulation upgrades and whole-house ventilation strategies that manage relative humidity levels and speed drying potential. According to EPA studies, damp spots must be dried within 24-48 hours otherwise they feed mold growth and promote wood rot. Therefore accurate assessments, strategic air sealing using professional materials, and using hygrometers are all integral to success.

2. Reduce Moisture Levels

Cold frames require a well-draining potting mix with proper drainage and ventilation to be successful, and should preferably be situated near a southern exposure so as to capture sunrays throughout the day. Furthermore, its cover should have hinges that enable you to open it on warmer days for ventilation and light.

Midwest winters bring with them sudden fluctuations in temperature that exacerbate condensation issues, as rapidly cooling temperatures cause moisture-laden air to deposit water onto cold surfaces like sheathing and concrete surfaces. Wall assemblies with high moisture storage capacities such as solid wood, treated cellulose or plywood that also have furring strips or drainage mats for drying are recommended as walls that provide safe moisture storage capacity can store moisture effectively while simultaneously aiding drying by furring strips or drainage mats are advantageous.

Dry rot is a serious threat in post-frame buildings. Fungi that feed on wood until it no longer supports its own structure are responsible, leading to substantial structural damage and even collapse of entire floors. Therefore, it is imperative that moisture sources be addressed prior to undertaking structural repairs.

3. Dry Out Any Condensation

Even if your building assembly is properly sealed against air leakage condensation, moisture may still collect in hidden spots in its walls and ceiling, often undetectable without an infrared camera or expert eyesight – potentially leading to significant structural damage which may not be covered by insurance policies.

Hidden moisture areas may include the back side of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling; on the bottom of carpets or pads; inside ductwork and walls around leaking pipes; as well as roof materials above ceiling tiles. Temperature fluctuations typical in Midwest winters exacerbate these issues as warm moist air rises quickly to deposit its contents onto cold surfaces.

Addition of exterior insulation can alleviate this issue by raising sheathing and stud cavity temperatures above their dew point temperature during cold nights, thus avoiding condensation. A hybrid solution like that shown in Figure 3 would work well: R-10 continuous exterior insulation along with R-19 sheathing/framing cavity insulation will effectively stop any potential condensation issues.

4. Maintain a Warm Post Frame Building

Post frame buildings provide the ideal space for living or doing business in winter–provided they’re protected against condensation. Here are seven tips for keeping your post frame building warm and dry during the Midwest’s chillier weather.

To prevent condensation in post-frame buildings, it’s crucial to maintain temperatures above dew point throughout the year. Insulating and sealing all areas of the structure as well as using continuous ridge vents in combination with vented eave soffits will help minimize condensation as will dehumidifiers which remove moisture from the air can help achieve this goal.

Additionally, proper ventilation should be implemented within buildings in order to allow warm air to circulate and avoid overheating, which may result in condensation. Finally, roof materials with moisture-wicking properties can help limit moisture absorption into wall assemblies.