Trickle vents

scary69

Hi, We have just signed up to have all our windows and doors replaced with A rated upvc. When the surveyor came he pointed out that because our existing windows have trickle vents on we have to have them on the new windows. I hate trickle vents and always leave ours shut and open windows. I looked on the internet and there is a lot of confusion out there as to whether you do have to have them or not. A lot of sites say that you have to replace with trickle vents but I have also found a few which state it was made advisory in October 2008. Could someone help me as I really don,t want these ugly things fitted. Oh also a couple of neighbors on my street have had their windows replaced but they don,t appear to have them:mad:

System

what's your issue with trickle vents?

cattie

I had new windows fitted about 18 months ago & got 2 different local companies to quote for the work. One company told me I must have trickle vents on windows that already had them, but the 2nd company (who quoted a much lower price for A rated glass) made no such mention & they were the company I used as a friend had highly recommended them.

stukno

I have no knowledge on the law regarding these but a friend doing a self build house argued that because the windows could be locked slightly ajar there was no need to fit trickle vents. He got his way so presumably the Building Control people agreed. I do think that they are unsightly and having gone to great lengths to make the house airtight, putting an uncontrolled air leak in seems pretty bonkers.

On the other hand, most houses need something to manage internal humidity levels but there are better ways than trickle vents

Aylesbury_Duck

stukno wrote: »

I have no knowledge on the law regarding these but a friend doing a self build house argued that because the windows could be locked slightly ajar there was no need to fit trickle vents. He got his way so presumably the Building Control people agreed. I do think that they are unsightly and having gone to great lengths to make the house airtight, putting an uncontrolled air leak in seems pretty bonkers.

On the other hand, most houses need something to manage internal humidity levels but there are better ways than trickle vents

This is why in the winter, this forum is full of posters asking about how to deal with damp, stains and condensation and only the odd one complaining about draughts or noise through a trickle vent.

scary69

They are ugly and noisy when windy. We have lived in 3 other houses and this is the only one which has had these vents. We never had any problems with condensation or damp in any of the houses and I prefer to open windows to let the air flow round the house. Also I think it should up to the home owner if they want to put these in and not be forced into it.

Furts

stukno wrote: »

I have no knowledge on the law regarding these but a friend doing a self build house argued that because the windows could be locked slightly ajar there was no need to fit trickle vents. He got his way so presumably the Building Control people agreed. I do think that they are unsightly and having gone to great lengths to make the house airtight, putting an uncontrolled air leak in seems pretty bonkers.

On the other hand, most houses need something to manage internal humidity levels but there are better ways than trickle vents

Gradually, as the years pass consumers will become more aware about mould spores. allergens, VOCs and all sorts of horrible pollutants from everything including carpets, upholstery, air fresheners, deodorants and so on. Because consumers have been in denial here for at least the last 30 years the government introduced the concept of trickle vents to help improve the health of the nation. With this went the concept of controlling moisture levels, condensation and associated ventilation - which is what 95% of consumers focus on and some of these folks then have a rant. The government knows people do not open windows, but even if these people did then, howling gale through open windows is not an energy saving ethos.

Trickle vents can form very effective ventilation. I know because this is the case with my home. I specified them as a conscious, deliberate part of the Specification to upgrade my home.

System

If you don't like the look of them, buy some decent windows with the vents integrated properly and you don't see them... And if you're putting in cheap pvc windows it's better that they perform well, you're not buying them on looks...

teneighty

I think part of the problem is there is a huge difference between cheap flimsy trickle vents that probably get fitted to the budget plastic windows and the better quality vents you get on good quality windows.


I don't have a problem with them personally and welcome the constant background ventilation.