Trickle vents and the newly updated Building Regulations are front and centre of minds right across the fenestration industry. In particular, the new regulations on background ventilation.
For decades the industry has wrestled with the trickle vents, their pros and cons, their popularity with homeowners and their general use within fenestration.
There are, however, many questions surrounding the new Building Regulations, their interpretations and how the use of trickle vents in replacement windows is going to change our sector.
Installer ventilation survey
In order to know in more detail what we know or don’t know, and what current sentiment is towards the product and the new regulations, DGB has commissioned a survey that will be distributed throughout the sector to gauge opinion on some important questions.
If you are an installer within the fenestration sector please take a moment to participate in this important market survey:
With discussions still ongoing about the implementation of the new Building Regulations and how installers can comply, the results of this survey are important and will form part of the wider discussion about how our sector goes about debating the role ventilation plays with new windows and door installations.
The more installers that take part the more accurate and influential the results will be. Results of this survey will be published soon.
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Most customers do not want vents fitted, if you fit them in the frame it looks better but usually you need wide outer or add ons so aesthetically bad. They reduce the U Value, may whistle in the wind and fill up with cobwebs and dirt. It’s the nanny sate again.
Gary
As outlined in the impact assessment that accompanies the approved document F the key is the education of the end users who haven’t seen the need for the ventilation as when we improve a dwelling it becomes more air tight, which ultimately cannot be inhabited..
The latest designs have addressed the gaping which causes the whistling. In fact the sizes have been halved to deliver the same EQA performance
Most windows have high-level secure ventilation without the need for ugly draughty, noisy vents that customers don’t want or use.
Allan,
Can I suggest you have a look at the new / latest designs have addressed the gaping which causes the whistling. In fact the sizes have been halved to deliver the same EQA performance, now in over 40 colours, 3 finishes that camouflage the vent on the window
This was tried a few years ago and customers did not want trickle vents then. I would not think much as changed since then either. This is an ill thought out change. Trickle vents are noisy, bring in cold damp air, draughty, make the head off the frame or sash filthy and a home for insects. If people want ventilation in their homes let them choose themselves to either open the window fully or using the espagnolette ventilation mechanism already fitted to the sash.
Vanyayam
As in my other comments here, the latest designs have addressed the gaping which causes the whistling. In fact the sizes have been halved to deliver the same EQA performance. The other reason is that occupants wont open windows when they are needed in addition to the issues on security of an accessible window.
Your persistant defence of trickle vents could give the impression that you have a vested interest in getting them fitted in every new window installation . . . . . . .
Many customers will be angered that they will be forced into paying more money for a product that is detrimental to sound & heat insulation. This will force the customer towards installers that will agree to not use them. Also it concerns me greatly where the installer would stand if they were forced to fit tricklevents on an order that was not originally specified with tricklevents. No doubt some customers would refuse to pay as they did not want nor order them.
Mark,
The regulations apply from all installations after the 15th of June 2022, so unfortunately they will be required. The latest designs are significantly smaller and as such perform significantly better on sound reduction.
They have to perform to a minimum standard in order to make the dwelling habitable. There is useful documentation on the government web site to help educate customers, there are links from the Glazpart – building regulations page.
This has been a debate that has rumbled on for decades. The use of ventilators is recognised to provide a healthy home environment but with the need to reduce energy consumption it is a non starter. The ventilation bricks installed in walls were always blocked up by homeowners not wanting draughts. Now with the push towards air sourced heating systems and the necessary draught proof homes how can they work together? It’s fine in the summer when heating is not on but in winter, when damp and mould are at their worst and needing ventilation, they will not be used.… Read more »
Jeff
Interestingly, the more measures you apply to a dwelling this increases the need for background ventilation.
Air bricks were at the wrong height which is why the trickle vents are positioned at height 1.7m.
The trickle vents are designed to be used in winter when occupants wont open windows giving them a better option.
The comments so far reflect practically every installer we have spoken to or exchanged emails with. These are experienced people who know this industry. Why will no other Federation make any effort to come out and say so?
Time to start explaining the positive benefits of good ventilation rather than the negative attitude currently being shown.
With huge improvements in air permeability coming with new regulations for property insulation then improved ventilation rates add to the overall environment for home owners.
Use this as an opportunity to up sell as you did with Security.