"Tight" trickle vent covers?

andre_xs

Dear All,
We got new windows which are great, but the trickle vents let through a lot of road noise (busy road). Naturally, the trickle vents can't be closed properly (otherwise it wouldn't trickle  ). My plan is to close the trickle vents to the front (facing the busy road) by stuffing the hole/opening in the frame with mineral wool insulation and tape the opening.

However, in addition, I would like to have white PVC covers for the cut-out, so that it's water sealed (thus, ideally with a rubber seal), looks proper, and provides additional noise insulation. The current trickle vents are not screwed, they are just clipped in.

There's no need to go into the discussion of whether one should close them or not, I'm fully aware of the potential condensation/mould issues (and we own the property). 

I've already searched around, but I haven't found anything. All I found were covers which are more or less open again (for the trickling). I hope I have just missed what I'm looking for and someone could point me in the right direction?

Many thanks,
Andre

FreeBear

andre_xs said: We got new windows which are great, but the trickle vents let through a lot of road noise (busy road). Naturally, the trickle vents can't be closed properly (otherwise it wouldn't trickle  ). My plan is to close the trickle vents to the front (facing the busy road) by stuffing the hole/opening in the frame with mineral wool insulation and tape the opening.

There is an allowance within the building regulations that permit trickle vents to be omitted on windows facing a busy road - It is a shame who ever installed your windows failed to take this in to account. Further more, trickle vents are not mandatory if there is an alternative method for background ventilation.. Unfortunately, too late for you now..

In your shoes, I'd squirt some expanding foam into the holes and then cut a strip of uPVC trim to glue over the ugliness left behind. Won't look very pretty.

andre_xs

Yes, I've learnt this now as well... We had I think three or four different window companies here for quotes, and all of them were immediately "you need trickle vents, no way around", even after having asked them whether triple glazing would be an advantage over double glazing because of noise. With trickle vents, I can't see how triple glazing can make a notable difference - there's so much noise and cold air coming through the trickle vent anyway...

As I'm a little cautious nature, I'd avoid expanding foam, just in case I would like to have them open again (for whatever reason).

Thanks for the tip with the uPVC trim. In case I don't find anything readily cut, this could be a good option (I'm horrible at exact cutting and alike, so it won't look very neat  )

FreeBear

Had the same argument with a couple of DG companies last spring before the new rules came in to force. At the time, background ventilation was not mandatory, yet they were saying I had to have trickle vents.. Found a couple of local independents that were prepared to read the rules and agree to fit without trickle vents. With me adding insulation around the reveals, there would have been just 25mm or so of frame exposed. So no room for a trickle vent anyways.

At least with using expanding foam to plug the holes, the stuff is relatively easy to cut out again at a later date. A kitchen knife is about all you need.

wigglygiggly

FreeBear said:

andre_xs said: We got new windows which are great, but the trickle vents let through a lot of road noise (busy road). Naturally, the trickle vents can't be closed properly (otherwise it wouldn't trickle  ). My plan is to close the trickle vents to the front (facing the busy road) by stuffing the hole/opening in the frame with mineral wool insulation and tape the opening.

There is an allowance within the building regulations that permit trickle vents to be omitted on windows facing a busy road - It is a shame who ever installed your windows failed to take this in to account. Further more, trickle vents are not mandatory if there is an alternative method for background ventilation.. Unfortunately, too late for you now..

In your shoes, I'd squirt some expanding foam into the holes and then cut a strip of uPVC trim to glue over the ugliness left behind. Won't look very pretty.

I did not know this, we too live on a very busy trunk road and we 'had' to have trickle vents installed too. We have the same problem as the OP. I have stuffed up the vents with cotton wool to see if it helps, but it doesn't, Might have to go down the foam route too.