Window vents
Author
Discussion

audi321

Original Poster:

5,714 posts

229 months

Wednesday 15th January
quotequote all
I had 4 new windows fitted last week to replace some old UPVC ones which were tired.

I noticed there was a proper draught coming from them and also I noticed the noise from the road was much more noticeable than the old ones.

So I called the fitter about these vents and was told they have to be installed by regulations these days, but that most people (when he's gone) ram cotton wool in them.

So I did and wow what a difference, Before was literally like having the window open! What on earth do they need to be in for and have people been having issues over the past 30 years without them? It's not like I have an open fire or boiler anywhere near these rooms. Some health and safety daft rule no doubt?

Pistonsquirter

361 posts

55 months

Wednesday 15th January
quotequote all
Trickle ventilation required or mechanical ventilation (with heat recovery) to satisfy BR part-F.
Counter intuitive if you ask me - thermally insulated windows have to have holes in to let air past.
I know you can get thermostatic ones, don't know if you can retrofit but not the worst idea (they close when its cold outside)
Regards,
PS

audi321

Original Poster:

5,714 posts

229 months

Wednesday 15th January
quotequote all
If it’s hot I’ll open the window. If not it stays shut. Simples.

Do we have to have automation in every aspect of our lives?

maccas99

1,770 posts

204 months

Wednesday 15th January
quotequote all
Trickle vents have been around for years, nothing new about them.
They are needed for air circulation and it's highly recommended to leave them open otherwise there could be issues created as a result such as mould.
If it's freezing then simply close them, decent windows have this option.

audi321

Original Poster:

5,714 posts

229 months

Wednesday 15th January
quotequote all
maccas99 said:
If it's freezing then simply close them.
They were closed but still the wind just howled through them.

I've had the old windows for 20 years, never had a bit of mould (this isn't a bathroom).

colin79666

2,079 posts

129 months

Wednesday 15th January
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They are a cheap solution for house builders. New build houses are much more air tight and these are needed to provide ventilation in the absence of mechanical solutions.

The building regs are a catch all and don’t fully consider other factors like if you have an older house with other avenues for fresh air or if you live by yourself and aren’t producing so much water vapour as a family.

The stupid thing is new builds are often on brown field sites with lots of noise issues.

dundarach

5,712 posts

244 months

Wednesday 15th January
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I stuffed sponge into mine years ago in my stty Bovis houses....now I'm in a 70s one without them, I'm warm, moist and moldy!


leef44

4,987 posts

169 months

Wednesday 15th January
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We have a technique which has worked for many years. We open the windows to let air in to vent the room in the morning then close them after good fresh air circulation before we turn the heating on.

I know, I know, this will never catch on because it requires you to walk up to the window and use your own hand to turn a handle to open the latch. If only they could come up with something voice activated then other people could vent their homes and stop mould.

AlexC1981

5,362 posts

233 months

Wednesday 15th January
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You "need" them according to regs, but in reality whether or not you actually need them depends on how much moisture the occupants of the house create and how much moisture can exit your house through other means.

A well sealed house at full occupancy with no PIV or dehumidifier will definitely need them. A single person living a a draughty 4-bed house will be fine without them.

roadie

844 posts

278 months

Friday 17th January
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Interesting that cotton wool could be used in trickle vents - I am wanting to block up those in the lounge doors of my house because I never open them. I use the trickle vents in the lounge windows instead!

I replaced the windows in my previous flat and specified windows without trickle vents, as the original windows did not have any. I opened them for ventilation when required.

theboss

7,285 posts

235 months

Friday 17th January
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The regs are intended for the lowest common denominator living in crowded accommodation whilst cooking and drying clothes on radiators with every vent including extractors blocked up tight, who proceed to blame everyone else when the place turns black with mould and their child dies.

I have fitted high spec windows without vents in a modern home, it’s by no means airtight but I’m having no problems whatsoever, in fact my piano’s humidifier is running as it’s too dry in the room.

We have kitchen and bathroom and extractors on whenever needed, clothes are dried in a condensing dryer and guess what, we open windows periodically just to purge any potentially stale air.

There is no way I would buy high spec thermal and acoustic windows then drill holes in the frames.

I have paid for a MVHR scheme for the house, might get round to it or might decide we can manage fine without it.

okgo

40,616 posts

214 months

Friday 17th January
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I’ve just bought a fair number of new wooden sash windows. There was no choice on vents. But they have machined them in such a way they’re almost completely hidden.

Reasons for which mentioned above, lots of people in stty property have damp issues.

NRG1976

1,943 posts

26 months

Friday 17th January
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You need a draught from the window to circulate the heat coming from a radiator around a room. So I’ve been told.