trickle vents

cwhaley · 20 Dec 2017

Trickle vents are rubbish - I say that from having lived with them for 2 years. When they're new, they're great at stopping condensation at the top of the window, but the rest of the time they get clogged up with cobwebs and insects and then don't get rid of any moisture in the air. Cosmetically they can ruin a decent new frame.

Best form of ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom is a fan, elsewhere open/ajar windows when possible.

JohnD · 20 Dec 2017

cwhaley said:
they get clogged up with cobwebs and insects

Vacuum cleaners were invented a long time ago.

Try one!

cwhaley · 20 Dec 2017

Oh yeah didn't think of that one. Ace!

The vacuum will scare all the little spiders and insects away -- they'll never ever want to come back to clog them up every other day over the summer!

Jupiter01 · 20 Dec 2017

come on @^woody^ surely you know those things are abysmal right?
ive paid a fortune for high quality insulation and insulated doors and windows. I didn't want to throw that down the pan with these vents. I've lost count of how many friends have taped them up etc. during winter because of the draft they let in. And yes, that's when they are closed! I can get ventilation by opening windows or my bifold but importantly, I can also close these when I want to retain heat!

Thanks for everyones help. The Velcro worked a treat and the inspector didn't have any issues.

garyo · 21 Dec 2017

Jupiter01 said:
surely you know those things are abysmal right?

I'm with you Jupiter, and will be seeing what I can get away with when the chap visits for the final inspection. Interesting if there's an exemption for kitchens with forced extraction - I'll do some reading on that before the big day.

^woody^ · 21 Dec 2017

Jupiter01 said:
come on @^woody^ surely you know those things are abysmal right?

When you go into modern homes, built within the past few years and are not only stuffy and smelly, but have mould and condensation issues, and anecdotally sniffle-ridden occupants, and notice that a common factor is taped up trickle vents, then it makes you wonder if they do work after all.

tony1851 · 21 Dec 2017

Do we not have airbricks these days, with hit-and-miss covers?
When I started out, every habitable room without a chimney flue had to have a high-level air brick.

freddiemercurystwin · 21 Dec 2017

Dear oh dear,

^woody^ said:
When you go into modern homes, built within the past few years and are not only stuffy and smelly, but have mould and condensation issues, and anecdotally sniffle-ridden occupants, and notice that a common factor is taped up trickle vents, then it makes you wonder if they do work after all.

Are you still drunk from last night woody? Or have you started early again today?

^woody^ · 21 Dec 2017

freddiemercurystwin said:
Dear oh dear,

Are you still drunk from last night woody? Or have you started early again today?

Non-stop now until 2018.

IWalkLikeHimaMartian · 21 Dec 2017

For me, one of the main advantages of trickle vents over partially open windows is the security offered by trickle vents.

Notch7 · 21 Dec 2017

garyo said:
Interesting if there's an exemption for kitchens with forced extraction - I'll do some reading on that before the big day

No I dont think so, passive ventilation has to reach X no of mm2 per room AFAIK

One interesting thing about trickle ventilation is that the building regulations considers them 'energy neutral' as far a calculations are concerned, or in other words building regulations bend the rules where there are conflicts

Trickle vents are hopeless in some respects as they let noise through.

Night lockable windows arent accepted for passive ventilation.

Ive never actually seen a building inspector calculate the mm2 but they do check to see they are fitted in each room -usually just glance so you may get away with just fitting the vents on the windows without the actual hole through.

^woody^ · 21 Dec 2017

I can't speak for any bat-eared members, but I do struggle with the "noisy trickle vent" agument.

BTW, does anyone know which approved document covers double airlocks for the porch? This thread has got me thinking. Oh, and in oak too (not veneer), thanks.

cjard · 21 Dec 2017

Roll on MVHR becoming mandatory

John D v2.0 · 21 Dec 2017

cjard said:
Roll on MVHR becoming mandatory

well, you can save 500w or more of heat with the heat exchanger, so if that's a significant part of your heating load, it's worth the 1500£+ to install it? But as far as things go, better to insulate properly and have uncontolled ventilation than to have rubbish insulation with mvhr. Unfortunately we have solid walls and no space to add any insulation.

garyo · 21 Dec 2017

My 1960's dormer bungalow has more leaks than a Caribbean tax haven. It's quite novel that the rear part that's enveloped by the extension is now relatively warm and comfortable place to be. I'd probably give it more thought if the entire house was to a reasonable standard.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

trickle vents

Similar threads