I am needing to block off a window in my model rr room. My wife is concerned about water condensing between the glass window and the cover I build to block off the window. We live in Houston, Texas. Will this be a problem and is there a solution. Thanks for your input
I have seen small aluminum vent plugs for siding. Something like these:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Speedi-Products-2-in-White-Round-Soffit-Vent-SM-RSV-2/202907297
Maybe 2 or 3 at the top and bottom of the panel you are going to use to cover the window will avoid moisture build-up?
Ed
What do you mean block off, like all of it or part of it, or just running a backdrop in front of it. If you just want to eliminate the light, you can paint it.
Yes, I want to enclose the entire window - the room is small and the window would be right in the middle of the layout. My wife is concerned that their would be condensation and then black mold between the Inside of the window and the backgdrop constructed to cover it
My guess is if well blocked in so the air space is closer to outside temp than inside, you would get condensation on the glass in coldest, damp weather. The indoor air would tend to get in there, and at times might be moist enough to condense against the glass at cold morning winter temps. I'd be hesitant to completely block it in. I like the idea of a velcro secured covering. The cover could have a top and bottom vent built in for most days, and then be removed or checked in coldest weather. And for eventual sales of the house, anything done would preferably be removeable.
Another idea. Make the backdrop for that wall on the wall, up to or above window height, but separated from the wall with furring strips, which would provide air circulation between the backdrop and the wall.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
You might consider a window tinting film. A couple layers would block a lot of light.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gila-3-ft-x-6-5-ft-Black-Privacy-Window-Film-PB78/100618512?MERCH=REC-_-NavPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-100618512-_-N
If the layout crosses the window somewhere int he middle (so not right at the bottom or right at the top), leave a gap underneath and don;t have the cover go all the way to the top edge so that air can circulate. As long as it is not sealed up tight there should not be a problem. If you seal it up tight, and the room is air conditioned (I assume it would be - I've visited Houston in the summer), then yes, you would likely get condensation in the enclosed space. As long as there is a way for air to circulate in the space, the only place you could get condensation would be on the exterior of the window.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
textom I am needing to block off a window in my model rr room. My wife is concerned about water condensing between the glass window and the cover I build to block off the window. We live in Houston, Texas. Will this be a problem and is there a solution. Thanks for your input
Yes it is a real concern. Fortunately in my basement the two windows that would most interfere with my backdrop had been replaced with glass brick at some point before we bought the house. Condensation does not seem to happen with that material but even so I left a gap.
One idea that might work is to use a material I just recently read about in the model press (cannot recall if it was MR, RMC, or the NMRA Magazine or NMRA regional publication): Fabric that looks like blue sky with clouds. That particular author used it to make a portable photo backdrop for his model photos.
It might be possible to make a backdrop with that material and NOT seal off the window per se but leave an air space.
https://www.fabric.com/buy/fh-153/timeless-treasures-planes-trains-automobiles-clouds-blue?&cm_mmc=Google-_-Products-_-Products%20Listings-_-FH-153&CAWELAID=172000510000040467&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=172000510000277956&cadevice=c&gclid=CLfC2bGZxckCFYM8aQodax8M3Q
Dave Nelson
LION has similar problem with Chalkboard. There was a chalkboard in the room mounted on the will. LION builded over it like not there it was. Some firring on the wall, then the new wall right over the top of it. New wall stands off about one inch, open top and bottom, plenty of air circulation. Spiders can circulate in there too.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I've been thinking about this problem on my layout also. In my case I think a roll up blind that is sky blue might be the answer because I still want to be able to open the window on a nice day.
If you totally block off a window it might be a building code violation because you are blocking an escape route you might need in case of fire.
Actually painting the glass might be an idea. I see stores doing it with good results.
Hi,
I live north of Houston and have my layout filling a spare 11x15 bedroom, which has a 3x6 horizontal window. My layout backdrop comes up to the lower part of the window sill with land formations, and above that with sky/clouds.
I was troubled with what to do with it and ended up getting a custom set of mini blinds painted sky blue. With the backdrop painted under the glass opening and the sides of the opening, it really kind of blends in.
The beauty with the blinds is that I can open them for natural light, which is something you really don't want to negate by painting or covering the window.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
textom:
Your wife is very astute. If you do not have air circulation you will have mold, guaranteed. I sold windows for a long time and we regularly had problems with condensation in cold weather because the customer had installed window coverings that fit too tightly.
I like the idea of painted or plain blue venetian blinds. You can close them completely in warmer weather so no light gets through and you can crack them open a bit in colder weather to allow air to flow across the glass without allowing full light. You can also pull them up to make cleaning easy because you will get cob webs and spider webs in there eventually.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Up here in the Chicago area, the problem is similar, especially during the winter. In our home, we have blinds on every window, plus curtains and drapes.
During the winter, even with the blinds open, condensation occurs on the windows and then freezes during cold snaps. To prevent this, we need to not only leave the blinds open but also raised about 6 inches to permit full air circulation.
Rich
Alton Junction
We have double pain windows.
It is a pain to clean them!
Textom:
Condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets a cooler surface. I have curtain covered windows that have this occur at night in fall, winter and spring.
Each fall I cover them with a clear winterizing film that is attached clear of the glass with double sided tape, and then warmed with a heat gun to take the wrinkles out so it only touches the wood or plastic holding the window glass.
Then putting your blinds, or removable, air circulating cover inside of this might be what you need.
Such kits can be found at Home Depot or Lowes. Maybe Home Hardware??
I get mine at Canadian Tire, but those are porbably hard to king in Texas.
Could you use a sheet of cardboard to block out the light?