Trickle vents - good or not?

leveller2911

the_r_sole wrote: »

on a new build maybe, but they could be mandatory in replacement windows, there is a requirement for ventilation in the building regs, obviously if you can satisy that in another way then no need for trickle vents, also trickle vents should be user controlled to prevent the "gale" through!

Actually no, they aren't mandatory in replacement windows.

Building control officers can't insist on trickle vents in windows...

In fact my local BC officer doesn't even recommend them for the reasons given in previous posts......

I haven't had trickle vents in my windows for the last few years.We don't suffer from mould,fungi,stagnant air etc etc because we air the house daily..ie: open the windows..

wallbash

Am guessing even opening the front door to leave the building would allow the same amount of air 'replacement' as trickle vents.

Esp as I have had mine closed for 'ever'

Ps why was this thread even reopened ???

leveller2911

Engineering_sense. wrote: »

The problem is Humidity.
Without some ventilation in a habitable building there is the danger of a too high humidity building up (by simply breathing we increase the air humidity). A too high humidity promotes the growth of mildew and other airborne fungi. It might also show up as condensation. Too dry a building also may lead to problems with internal fiitings and structures such as timber.
Trickle vents are designed to supply the minium safe (recomemded)ventilation with out having to remember the need to crack open the windows.

If this was right then why can they be closed? People would forget to crack open the trickle vents in the same way as forgetting to "crack open a window". Common sense is what is needed.


Yes there is some heat loss due to this ventilation ,but it is small compared to drafty old windows.

Old buildings retro fitted with double glazing may be sufficently leaky as to avoid the need for trickle vents. But unless there are other means of controlling the humidity levels as a professional engineer I would always recommemd "trickle vents" in double glazing.

If thats true why are they NOT mandatory??? Which they aren't...... Even the Building Control officers have had advice from above that they are not needed.

As a qualified Joiner of some 25 yrs I don't agree..Ive made 1000,s of windowd during my time, some work was ongoing over a period of years and ive seen no evidence that they were needed.Single glazed bathroom windows I would agree that ventilation of some sort is needed..

leveller2911

wallbash wrote: »

Am guessing even opening the front door to leave the building would allow the same amount of air 'replacement' as trickle vents.

Yes if a window was open then a through draught would be created...Most trickle vents allow around 4000 sq mm of air so opening a door with a winow being open at the same time would allow a fair amount of fresh/clean air into the house.If you do this a few times a day then job done..

Esp as I have had mine closed for 'ever'



Ps why was this thread even reopened ???

Not my fault, honest.......:D Just wanted to reply to replies ...

System

leveller2911 wrote: »

Actually no, they aren't mandatory in replacement windows.

Building control officers can't insist on trickle vents in windows...

In fact my local BC officer doesn't even recommend them for the reasons given in previous posts......

I haven't had trickle vents in my windows for the last few years.We don't suffer from mould,fungi,stagnant air etc etc because we air the house daily..ie: open the windows..

please re-read my post, i used the word "could" as building standards "could" insist on trickle ventilation if there is no other way to ventilate the spaces, please see part f of the building regulations availble (ww .planningportal.gov.uk/ uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADF_2006.pdf). When windows are being replaced, as with any alterations, the situation cannot be made worse by the new additions.

leveller2911

the_r_sole wrote: »

When windows are being replaced, as with any alterations, the situation cannot be made worse by the new additions.

My point is they arent necessary (in the vast majority of cases)OR mandatory....The only benefit I can see having them is if the house is left empty and closed up for a long period of time at least then there would be some sort of ventilation..

Welcome to the board BTW...:D

System

if there is no other ventilation to a room they are neccessary, building regulations have minimum ventilation rates for rooms, whether you think they are of benefit or not really isn't important, the fact that they could be required by building standards is!

(sorry, that sounded a lot more harsh than meant! I only know this because i've just had a problem getting some drawings through warrant stage because the trickle ventilation on two windows wasn't large enough!)

System

(double post)

leveller2911

the_r_sole wrote: »

if there is no other ventilation to a room they are neccessary, building regulations have minimum ventilation rates for rooms, whether you think they are of benefit or not really isn't important, the fact that they could be required by building standards is!

(sorry, that sounded a lot more harsh than meant! I only know this because i've just had a problem getting some drawings through warrant stage because the trickle ventilation on two windows wasn't large enough!)

No worries, sometimes on here its difficult to intepret the tone of posts....I won't argue with the point you make above, my point is they aren't mandatory and in the vast majority of cases not necessary....