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GEO18
Apr 7, 2009, 05:52 PM
I have a sunroom with 2 steel doors that swing outword, is there anything I can do to stop the condensation on them in the winter months.( it is on the inside of the doors)or is there anything I can put on them .I can't put storm doors on them because they swing outword.

21boat
Apr 7, 2009, 07:05 PM
If theses doors are inactive in the winter I would use foam board insulation on the inside to stop the condensation. The time for the cold to hot air mass is to rapid thus forming condensation.

If the look doesn't bother you urethane foam is they way to go.

Storms will help but it may not be enough

Big box stores have it

ballengerb1
Apr 7, 2009, 07:35 PM
If the foam doesn't appeal to you you can add a shrinking film seal all around the inside door frame, if you are not planning to use the doors. The problem stems from the fact that these doors have no insulation or are poorly insulated. They get very cold and the warmer moist air inside the home condenses. If you can't make the door warmer you prevent the air from reaching the door. Cost would be less than $15

GEO18
Apr 7, 2009, 08:34 PM
If theses doors are inactive in the winter I would use foam board insulation on the inside to stop the condensation. The time for the cold to hot air mass is to rapid thus forming condensation.

If the look doesn't bother you urethane foam is they way to go.

Storms will help but it may not be enough

Big box stores have it

Unfortunately we do use these doors all winter any other suggestions

GEO18
Apr 7, 2009, 08:41 PM
If the foam doesn't appeal to you you can add a shrinking film seal all around the inside door frame, if you are not planning to use the doors. The problem stems from the fact that these doors have no insulation or are poorly insulated. They get very cold and the warmer moist air inside the home condenses. If you can't make the door warmer you prevent the air from reaching the door. Cost would be less than $15unfortunately we do use these doors all year any other suggestions?

KISS
Apr 7, 2009, 08:50 PM
here is a thought. A ceramic additive to paint.

Ceramic Paint reduces the transfer of heat into your home (http://www.ceramicadditive.com/conduction_heat.html)

If you look a dew point table, what you will find is the temperature in which moisture will appear. RH and temperature of the air and the temperature of the surface.

You have to lower the RH or raise the temp of the door.

So, options are:
1. dehumidify (control with a dew point sensor - expensive)
2. Insulate - (the ceramic paint)
3. heat the door. Haven't figured out how.

Make sure there are no air leaks.

Replace the door with one with a higher R-value.

ballengerb1
Apr 8, 2009, 07:05 AM
I agree with the previous post but have a few additional thoughts. Buying a better door is the best option but heating the room more and increased circulation would help. You could also close the door between the home and sun room and open some windows to let the sun room reach outdoor temps. Your real problem is a combination of a steel door and poor insulation. Those two factors cause the sweeting and a new door, wood, can make it all go away.