Do Roof Lanterns Get Condensation?

Some roof lanterns are prone to condensation...

This is often a common issue with cheaper products and manufacturers and unfortunately, people don’t realise this is a possibility or problem until it’s a little too late. At Aliwood, our customers can rest assured; our roof lanterns are premium quality and will never cause excess condensation that could damage property. As experts with over 30 years’ experience, we thought we’d take a closer look at condensation, how to prevent it and why Aliwood roof lanterns are always the number one choice for peace of mind.

How to Identify Condensation

Perhaps you’ve seen condensation on your windows and wondered if this would be the same for a roof lantern? Warm air always holds more moisture and tends to rise, then liquefy when it comes into contact with a cool surface. Windows are a natural place for condensation to form, but where possible, you want to avoid build up on you roof lantern to avoid long term structural damage or even damage to your possessions.

Condensation problems can come out of nowhere, so you must be able to identify when you have an issue within your property. There are several signs that you should look out for:

• Mildew or mould on walls and window seals
• Bubbling or peeling paint
• Damage to flooring
• Damp or deteriorating furniture
• Rotting in the structural wood in wall/dripping walls

What Causes Condensation on Roof Lanterns?

Every home holds a certain amount of moisture within its walls. This can be caused by simple everyday activities, such as showering, cooking and even breathing! Extreme differences between the temperature outdoors and indoors results in condensation on windows. The moisture in the air rises and comes into contact with the glass surface on a roof lantern, which is cooler than the temperature indoors. When air becomes moist, it is released in the form of water droplets, resulting in condensation.

Condensation in the home is caused by releasing more humidity into the atmosphere with daily tasks that we complete. This includes even the simplest of activities:

• Showering or Bathing
• Breathing and Perspiration
• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Watering Indoor Plants

Typically, condensation on a roof lantern occurs more frequently in the winter because of the difference in outdoor and indoor temperature. Ventilation helps this issue, but we tend not to have our windows open in the winter months, so the home is not ventilated as well.

How to Prevent Condensation

The trick to combating condensation within the home is to try and keep your space well ventilated. Allow the air to circulate. The goal is to substitute moist air within your property with the fresh dry air outside. This way, you will no longer have to worry about water droplets forming on your roof lantern. To create a better-ventilated environment, you should do the following:

• Open your windows for an hour or two every day
• Open your curtains and blinds to allow air to circulate
• Avoid air drying clothes inside, where possible
• Use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
• Install double glazing
• Use a dehumidifier
• Ensure moist air is vented properly from appliances like kettles, irons and tumble dryers

If you’re about to have a roof lantern installed, it’s fundamental that it is fitted properly. We always recommend that a professional from you supplier fits it. Regularly check the general condition of your lantern and for any small gaps in the panel to ensure that insulation is not affected. This is part of essential preventative maintenance to reduce the chances of future issues arising. If you find any cracks or holes in the joints or the corners, contact your supplier immediately.

Aliwood Roof Lanterns

At Aliwood, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands. Our roof lanterns are internally crafted from premium quality, knot-free laminated Redwood timber, and are fully capped with marine-grade, powder-coated aluminium externally. This means that no timber elements are exposed to weathering, ensuring no water ingress or leakages.

The benefit of our timber roof lanterns is that there are never cold spots to draw condensation. PVC and aluminium lanterns struggle to stop cold bridging – a cold bridge is a weak spot in the insulation surrounding the roof lantern.

Cold bridges, also known as thermal breaks, occur when there is a break in the continuity of the insulation. In our products, these thermal breaks include a rubber gasket, which separates the conductive aluminium components to provide superb thermal insulation and eliminates the risk of condensation. Additionally, our roof lanterns come with ventilation options which will further assist drawing warm, moist air up and out of your home.

Get in Touch

If you’re interested in purchasing a roof lantern this winter, we’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to find out more information about our bespoke roof lanterns in Essex, with delivery and installation options offered nationwide, then get in touch today, call us on 01245 967107 or email info@aliwood.co.uk.