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[I_want_an_Omega]

I'm in the process of maintaining some sash windows with secondary double glazing. Basically painting and getting any repairs to the wood done that are needed prior to winter.

We suffer from consensation inside the outer pane on cold winter  mornings. The gap between the outer (sash) panes and the secondary is quite big at about 3 inches - but there aint much that can be done about it as that's the way the house was built.

Has anybody got any proven tips for preventing/reducing the condensation? Someone must have cracked it all those years ago. Does silica gel do any good.

In anticipation. Ta

[aaronjb]

I had secondary glazing in my old flat (and single glazed windows) - never did find a way to stop the condensation other than leaving the windows cracked open, silica gel did nothing..

[feeutfo]

Ventilation. Afaik. We have full double glazing and get some condensation in winter. We need small vents in the double glazing apparently.  :-/

[tidla]

how thick are the frames?

 would it be possible to route out and fit the thin double glazed panels?

[I_want_an_Omega]

Not allowed to 

[Chris_H]

You can't afford to increase the weight of the frames or you need to change the balance weights.

Sealing them is the technical answer but I guess you want to open them in the summer?

What's happening is that moisture is getting past the sashes and condensing on the cold surface.  A solution to that is to ventilate the void, but that destroys the principle of double-glazing which is to have a static barrier of air between the panes.

Check that the frames mate into a slide that is surrounded on sides and top, then the only point of water ingress should be the bottom edge.  This should have some provision for running rainwater off onto the sill and probably a sloping face to discourage capilliary action.

If the window faces prevailing strong winds then your only hope is to ventilate the void manually as and when the weather is amenable.

I don't have sash windows now, but did grow up with them.

[feeutfo]

By nature, that they have to slide to open. Doesn't that mean they either don't seal and leak like a siv. Or as said, seal them so they can't be opened. There by making the double/secondary glazing work.

Horrible bloody things ime. Mostly rotten as well.

New PVC sash shaped equivalent windows would be nice, no doubt?

[Lioned]

Only way to avoid condensation is ventilation and/or warmth,scientific fact i am afraid.Or a 'hermetically' sealed vaccum,which cannot be achieved with these windows.
So your only possible solution is to leave the inner pane slightly open and heat up your room,which kind of negates the principle really.

[hoofing it]

Is there enough room to fit one of those moisture catching gizmos that you put the white crystals in.
Ive got one in my senator and ive never had any mould form and the car is lovely and dry and its been off the road for 4 years.
If I remember I seen a small one in poundland its worth a bash .