New windows - trickle vents?

SoozyJ22

I've just someone round to quote for replacement windows and I'm a bit confused about trickle vents. These are being quoted for separately and I'm not sure whether I go for them or not, so I was wondering what people's views on them was. One option given was just to have them in certain rooms like bedrooms and kitchens.

Additional information that may or may not be relevant:
- Windows will have the option to open them slightly to let air in - I think this is standard though?
- I'm in a flat with 5 windows: 2 in bedrooms, 1 in the kitchen and 2 in the living room which is open plan to the kitchen.
- Existing single glazed windows have vents in, but I still have a lot of condensation. Neighbours with single glazing have similar issues so it's not that my lifestyle is causing it to be so bad. There's no condensation/mould on walls etc.
- That said, I have to dry a lot of washing inside which can't help. I have an extractor fan in the bathroom which is used after baths in the winter (no shower yet), I open the kitchen window when cooking.
- Some neighbours with double glazing have vents, some don't. I haven't noticed any issues with condensation.

So options are:
- no vents
- vents on selected windows (probably kitchen and main bedroom) only
- vents on all windows

I've had two quotes so far which are very very close, so the cost of vents may change which company comes out cheapest. Both companies are otherwise equally as good so I'm finding it tricky.

Any thoughts on this would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

leveller2911

My local building control state that on new builds they are required but on existing properties if they are currently fitted they " would like to see them fitted" but its not compulsory.

There is no logic in having trickle vents. Building regulations require new windows to be energy efficient with Low E glass that lets the radiant heat from the sun in but not out. They require all windows to have draught excluders fitted etc etc and then they want a trickle vent fitted that allows a gale to blow in. No logic at all.Vents will make no practical difference, but they look awful. Your windows will need to have a U value of below 1.5 to comply with regulations.Do the quotes state the U value of the new windows?.

If/When a room needs ventilating then just open a window, its the way its been done for centuries and it works. lol

When I make windows on new builds the trickle vents cost about £3-00 to buy and another £1-00 to fit so the cost is minimal.

thebaldwindowfitter

leveller2911 wrote: »

My local building control state that on new builds they are required but on existing properties if they are currently fitted they " would like to see them fitted" but its not compulsory.

There is no logic in having trickle vents. Building regulations require new windows to be energy efficient with Low E glass that lets the radiant heat from the sun in but not out. They require all windows to have draught excluders fitted etc etc and then they want a trickle vent fitted that allows a gale to blow in. No logic at all.Vents will make no practical difference, but they look awful. Your windows will need to have a U value of below 1.5 to comply with regulations.Do the quotes state the U value of the new windows?.

If/When a room needs ventilating then just open a window, its the way its been done for centuries and it works. lol

When I make windows on new builds the trickle vents cost about £3-00 to buy and another £1-00 to fit so the cost is minimal.

You are right they should be fitted where already present,

we had a job where we installed and the customer would not have them fitted and fensa(bba inspector) failed the installation and the customer had to sign a form .As you say they are pointless when energy ratings are going higher and higher especially as most windows have night vent these days

SoozyJ22

Thanks very much for that leveller, very interesting. I don't have the written quote yet, but looking on the website the windows are Eurocell 70mm A-rated. I'm being quoted £35 (not sure if that includes VAT) per vent.

I had another quote yesterday for Choices windows, also A rated. Is there any reason to choose one kind over the other?

SoozyJ22

What do you mean by 'night vent' please thebaldwindowfitter?

DaisyDavies

I too am looking at quotes from companies and getting conflicting advice on trickle vents..... Really confuzzled....

thebaldwindowfitter

SoozyJ22 wrote: »

What do you mean by 'night vent' please thebaldwindowfitter?

night vent is a position on the locking mechanism which is roughly finger width from completely shut where the sash can still be locked