Is it still illegal to remove trickle vents?

jez9999

I've just moved into a new build property and of course all the windows have trickle vents. I detest the things. I'm planning to fill them all with expanding foam, but frankly I'd like to get new window frames fitted without them.

I've read that it's illegal to do so if the existing windows have trickle vents (bloody government regs). However I've also read that those regulations were removed some time ago. So just to be sure: is that still a requirement, or can I get new window frames fitted without trickle vents, given that my current ones have them?

Is expanding foam the best way to fill them to eliminate the noise and heat leakage issues? Is it relatively simple to do or should I looking to be getting a professional in to do it?

ComicGeek

They are there for a reason, not just to annoy you. If you block them up you'll invalidate all your warranties. Particularly in the first couple of years where your house is still drying out and good ventilation is so important.

In your case, leave them alone for at least a couple of years and try and live with them. Otherwise you'll be back here in 6 months complaining of condensation and mould.

jez9999

The thing is, I quite like the condensation. Or rather, the increased humidity. I always found that when I went to bed in my old house with the window open, I woke up feeling quite dehydrated, but with the window closed I didn't. For me, having a higher humidity level in the air is a *good* thing.

ytfcmad

Do what you want with them, no one will care.
Thats rubbish about invaladating warranties etc, trickle vents can be open or closed anyway so blocking them up is no different than closing them.

Within the facade industry they are a joke, they use Doc L to lower u values, better performing glass etc then they go and put a nice hole in the frame to let all the heat the glass was so called saving back out.

Thats why the rules were changed. Absolutely nothing negative will happen if you block them or got rid of them all together.

EssexExile

I wouldn't use expanding foam, just stuff them full of insulation material that you can take out again if necessary.

flashg67

I took the vent cover off mine, covered the holes with duct tape then put the cover back on - reversible if anyone decides they are suddenly essential again

busybee100

I had replacement windows last year, no trickle vents and fensa'd.

ComicGeek

It's not an older house with lots of leaky air gaps - it's a brand new house with large amounts of moisture in the building that needs to dry out.

Blocking up or closing the trickle vents in the 1st year or so is just asking for problems - any issues created by condensation and lack of ventilation will not be covered by warranties. Good background ventilation is really important.

All the responses above are fine for older houses that are leaky anyway - they are not good advice for a new airtight house that needs to dry out!

Doozergirl

ComicGeek wrote: »

It's not an older house with lots of leaky air gaps - it's a brand new house with large amounts of moisture in the building that needs to dry out.

Blocking up or closing the trickle vents in the 1st year or so is just asking for problems - any issues created by condensation and lack of ventilation will not be covered by warranties. Good background ventilation is really important.

All the responses above are fine for older houses that are leaky anyway - they are not good advice for a new airtight house that needs to dry out!

I couldn't agree more.

It would be insane to fill them with expanding foam as it's pretty much irreversible.

Our house is brand new and not finished but as soon as it was up, it was pretty much airtight and condensation started immediately on the walls with no one even living there. We don't have trickle vents as we will have a managed ventilation system, but I had to go and put every window on the night latch to stop it, in the meantime, which it did.

Ventilation is absolutely necessary in all houses but older ones are, without a shadow of doubt, leakier and so trickle vents can be surplus to requirement in some rooms.

Trickle vents are there for a reason and can be closed, so just close them for the moment. If there's no through-flow then even the mechanical extractors won't work efficiently.

Davesnave

busybee100 wrote: »

I had replacement windows last year, no trickle vents and fensa'd.

The key word there is 'replacement.' You were not required to have them.

cattie

I had new windows fitted with A+ rated glass about 3yrs ago & opted to only have a trickle vent in the kitchen. One window company told me is was mandatory to have them in rooms when replacing existing windows with trickle vents, but the company I opted for allowed me to select whether I wanted them or not. I have the full Fensa guarantee, so it's obviously not a problem.