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Ice On Window

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  • 25-11-2023 2:39pm
    #1
    gandalfio
    Registered Users Posts: 754 ✭✭✭


    Hi. This morning our Fakro windows in converted attic were completely iced over on the external pane. Is this normal or is there an issue? Doesn't happen to other windows around the house.



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    #2
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,569 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Presumably you mean on the outside of the external pane? It doesn't seem to have been cold enough for frost, but it looks as though there is no heat escaping through the window!



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    #3
    gandalfio
    Registered Users Posts: 754 ✭✭✭gandalfio


    Yes outside of external pane. It certainly was cold enough for frost last night. Car windscreen was frozen also. Why are the attic windows freezing over but not others around the house?



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    #4
    listermint
    Registered Users Posts: 33,979 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416626#Comment_121416626

    It means they're working. If the window was not working heat would escape and melt the ice.

    They're the best windows in your house presently horse. 😎



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    #5
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416626#Comment_121416626

    Presumably the insulation value of those windows is far better than the others, so less heat escaping through the glass



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    #6
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,569 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    There's also a fair chance that there is less heat in the attic to lose?



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    #7
    gandalfio
    Registered Users Posts: 754 ✭✭✭gandalfio


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416841#Comment_121416841

    It's insulated but still pretty cold up there. So do windows with good insulation values on ground and first floors of houses freeze on the outside? Have never seen it before.



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    #8
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 2,837 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416924#Comment_121416924

    They can but only in extremely cold conditions. The reason for the roof windows freezing is the same as why the roof tiles/slates freeze and that it they are orientated towards the sky and the an unclouded sky in winter is extremely cold which freezes anything facing it by radiation. Same reason why roofs of cars freeze and not generally the side panels to the same extent (especially those facing buildings in close proximity) or under the car.



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    #9
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,368 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Windows in general are multiple times poorer than external wall in terms of energy performance so in a typical heated home, there will be enough warmth escaping to prevent any freezing.

    A roof window should be even more susceptible to heat loss as heat rises.

    Saying all that, freezing on outside cannot possibly be a window defect as it is showing superb thermal performance or alternatively it is showing that your attic was unheated or very very minimally heated during night time.

    Either way, no fault of window.

    Fakro generally didn't have a good name but that was mostly down to leaking or draft issues.

    No issue here.



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    #10
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,569 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    *I remember the days* when windows used to freeze on the inside, mostly bedrooms. Pretty patterns in the frost!

    *TM



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    #11
    gandalfio
    Registered Users Posts: 754 ✭✭✭gandalfio


    Thanks for the explanations



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    #12
    houseyhouse
    Registered Users Posts: 693 ✭✭✭houseyhouse


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416924#Comment_121416924

    During the cold snap last winter there were a couple of recently renovated houses near me where the front, north-facing windows were icy all day. Been here three years and only seen it in those few days but if the winters get colder, which is possible with climate change, it could be more of an issue in the future.



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