What are Trickle Vents? Do you need them?

[@davidharris9451]

Magnificient!!! Thanks for making everything thorough and clear in under four minutes!!! Now I know EXACTLY what "Trickle Vents' are after hearing about them only twelve hours ago... Your explanation of inspectors and permits being necessary gave me FAR more good reasoning than I expected. Now it ALL makes sense!! When doing my first KZbin search on the subject, you came up at the very top!!! No need for me to look at what came after you!!! Thanks!!!

[@nottle38]

I had all my upvc windows replaced in my bungalow. The old ones had trickle vents in the kitchen and bathroom but the replacement ones didn't have any vents. I now get condensation in my kitchen - something that never happened before. I'm now going to get trickle vents retro-fitted!

[@stun9771]

It would be interesting to let us know what you are charged, if you find a company willing to do this work...

[@evronetwork]

you can use a dehumidifier if u want

[@nntflow7058]

@@evronetwork Electricity bills going through the roof with that one.

[@GlazingInsider]

So first question when did you have your windows replaced ? Regulations have now changed and all windows should have trickle vents - (if the room doesn’t have another source of background ventilation). Previous to this the regulation was like for like on trickle vents. The two places I always suggested had vents (when people had a choice) where the bathroom and kitchens as both room create excess moisture in the air (steam).

[@barneymaundertaylor]

Very useful thanks and worth watching even if it's just for the deliberate typo at 2mins 🤣😂

[@theunambiguous]

I’m a window fitter myself, I have a love-hate for trickle vents, great for solving condensation but opens up the profile chambers to cold while defeating the object of having A rated glass.

[@Christopher_T_Paul]

Trickle vents are pretty pointless in my eyes, any homeowner can open a window a crack and lock it in the ventilation setting as and when required. The only time where I see a value is if you are a landlord and have non adjustable vents installed to assure your tenants are venting the house properly.

[@GlazingInsider]

This is definitely most people, opening a window and properly venting your home solves a lot of problem - unfortunately like most things we are made to do something because some people can’t.

[@2377shortie]

Hi is it best to have them up throughout winter or keep them closed. I'm confused with making your house warm but keeping airflow

[@GlazingInsider]

Winter is a funny time because we all want to be warm but we also need to exchange the air in our homes to keep them fresh and reduce condensation. In rooms where there is excess moisture - bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms (when we breath at night) try to keep them open to at least allow the moisture out and reduce condensation.

[@AdrianSams]

Just open your windows to "air" the rooms ,like we have done for centuries. I'm a joiner and make windows and doors. I have close on 40yrs experience and trickle vents are a nonsense. Go back 25yrs or so and they made them compuslory, then they made the optional, then they made them compulsory again, then up until last year they were optional (unless the windows they were replacing had them on, as this chap stated) then last years they changed the regs again and made them compulsory. Ask yourself why?. Trickle vents also cause condensation on the iside of the vents which creates mould so even the vents themselves create a problem.

[@ElDubz2025]

​@@AdrianSamsit's so they can bleed us for money probably absolutely hate the things mine are taped up with aluminum tape

[@kevinmount5896]

Open them up at night when you are in your bed and nice and warm. Close them again when the heating comes on and you get up.

[@basbenny7369]

One of my windows with these vents, I removed vents, aluminium taped one side then foamed from other side carefully, attached tape, reffited vents cos looks weird without on new triple glaze window. Now no draughts and noise, perfect. My other new window with intact vent, noisy and drafty, which defeats the point of having triple glazed fitted. My other double glazed units with clear vents still attract condensation, my triple dont.

[@davidsivills3599]

Thankyou so much very informative,i have old upvc windows with no vents the codensation is really bad.I am looking to replace them very soon,with your advice i know what windows to look for thanks again.

[@rcary]

We have them on 15 yr old windows. They definitely create a draft when the wind is blowing hard. They are closed and leak, since the flapper thing is flimsy looking. Tape up the holes inside?

[@GlazingInsider]

Just make sure you have good home ventilation.

[@davidreynolds3082]

99% of the people that I visit for home security checks keep these trickle vents closed all of the time, as they let in small or baby spiders and woodlice, even though they have anti-insect grilles on them. Most of the 99% don't even know that they are there! They can also let in one hell of a draught if you live at a higher elevation or in a bit of a wind-tunnel position, down say a narrow road or alleyway etc. They tend to keep condensation down by making your room cold inside too - might as well put z dmall window on a1/2" vent-setting! They also let in some noise (even when fully closed) which defeats the object of getting newer or triple-glazed units for added quietness.

[@TheBESTPROPSHOP]

Thank you for your video, it was very informative. I have just had a new bedroom window installed and they added a trickle vent without giving me the choice. (Previous window did not have one - my fault for not looking at the paper work) The trickle vent lets sound through which is quite annoying, is there anything to your knowledge that can reduce the sound from the vent. I've seen there are such things as acoustic trickle vents, what is your opinion please? K

[@GlazingInsider]

Acoustic vents would help but I haven’t carried out enough tests to recommend a specific brand. The new regulations that came in to effect in June have meant some companies have had to redesign their products to conform. As soon as I have a recommendation I’ll make new videos to help the many people in your position. Thank you for the question!

[@krzysztofsobierajski9365]

@@GlazingInsider Any update? Some advise would be great. I had my 40yr old windows replaced and there are TVs which are really, really, really annoying letting in street noise. My street is quite quiet but every some time there is someone coming back from nice party merry enough to wake us all up, and it'd be nice to shut those birds at 4am up. We have ventilation bricks in all rooms so they should be enough and they do not let us much noise in as TVs. I see it pointless to seal the house and make it drought free just to install TVs. I think other means of ventilation like vent shafts would be good idea (especially that we have chimney and it could be used for that). I asked installers for 'sound attenuator vents' (no, i didn't know it's called that when I asked for one) and was referred to Titon HF Sound Attenuator 5000EA one but the cost is a £180+VAT for 1pc 😬😬😬 so it's good idea to be sure it will cancel street noise before purchase. Otherwise I will just block and seal them 🤷‍♂ at the end I have vent bricks.

[@carolinelynch2823]

The trickle air vents above my bedroom window leak when there is heavy rain in a storm. Even when they're shut. They still leak. Should I use waterproof tape to put on it. Answer please.

[@GlazingInsider]

How old are your windows as these if less than 10 years they should be under warranty and you can call your installer?

[@Cdon89]

Is it best to put on frame like this video or on the window part??

[@Zebedee2612]

What about when you close your curtains at night? Should they not be fitted in the wall rather than the window?

[@GlazingInsider]

Fitting ventilation into a wall is an alternative to trickle vents, in rooms that have excessive water vapour such as kitchens and bathrooms extraction ventilation is usually fitted in the wall or ceiling. Does your home suffer with condensation ?

[@kevinmount5896]

Water vapour will go straight through your curtains just like air would. Remember water vapour is a gas, just like air. The white stuff you see coming out of your kettle is only visible because it is condensing and not in a gaseous state any more.

[@anglosaxon5874]

But does it stop very small flies?

[@davidreynolds3082]

No. You'll get small spiders, tiny fruit flies and baby woodlice etc try and get through, sometimes succeeding.

[@nicolag7155]

Mine are leaking when it rains heavily leaving puddles on the windowsill inside, how can I fix this?

[@GlazingInsider]

This could be water running in from the top of the vent on the outside, it could be worth running a line of silicone across the top of the vent on the outside - if this window is under warranty call the company as this should be covered.

[@ihreid]

Can these be retro fitted?

[@GlazingInsider]

Yes they can 👍

[@6601va]

Love being educated about windows

[@ryanhunter2730]

Can someone please answer my question that I'm going to ask.. I've just had a guy out to my house who fixes and repairs windows... he replaced hinges,handles and trickle vents on some of the windows.. my problem i have now, is im having a lot of condensation on my windows,not to the fact there is water on the windows or sills,but like mist or steam on my windows, why would this be happening.? Never happened until the fella came out and fixed my windows 🤷‍♂️ Any help or info much appreciated 🙏

[@GlazingInsider]

Hi Ryan, so you don’t have windows on the inside running on to the sills it’s actually mist between the glass ?

[@AdrianSams]

As a Qualified Joiner who has been making doors and windows for close on 40yrs I disagree with you. I've discussed this topic with numerous Building Inspectors over the years and not one can justify trickle vents. Firstly it's a nonsense to make windows as energy efficient as possible with energy efficient double glazed sealed units, draught excluders etc only to then routher a hole all the way through the frame (which by the way creates condensation on the inside of the vents) reduces the thermal efficency of the window when all we need to do is open the bloddy windows to "air" the rooms which we have done for centuries. There are also locking fasteners which have a "night vent" facility to allow the windows to bw slightly opened but also secure. At the time of your video you correctly stated that trickle vents were not compulsory on doors and windows where they were replacing ones which didn't have vents on. The regs have now changed and they have been made compulsory again on windows (Grade I & II Listed exemptions) . So in the past 20yrs we have gone from not compulsory to compulsory to not compulsory to now being compulsory again so maybe you explain why that is?. I will bet you £10,000 that if we walked into 100 homes in the middle of Winter 95% of them would have the vents closed and barely if ever actually open/shut them. Trickle vents are a nonsense, just open your windows to "air" your homes like we have done for centuries. The majority of my clients will fill the voide with expanding foam once the windows have been signed off by Building control.

[@powergin1]

Probably compulsory to make sure you are getting your fair share of chemtrails throughout the night .I wake up sneezing since having this crap fitted .Like you said it's Nonsense having this as it defeats the object and the noise is terrible. I'm going to block mine.

[@stevewhittle9517]

Aren't Trickle Vents now compulsory even on replacement windows following the update to Building Reg Part F in June 2022?

[@GlazingInsider]

Yes! New updated video coming soon!

[@jadep4802]

My trickle vents on the outside have mould on. Is this normal? It's freaking me out 😢

[@GlazingInsider]

Is this on the outside of the window?

[@jadep4802]

@@GlazingInsider outside

[@BlueNukez]

im no expert but id say just clean it, dont want mold spores floating through your home

[@RichardLannen]

Is it near trees or in a cold spot that never gets the sun?

[@6601va]

Not forgetting the rumpy pumpy happening in the bedrooms

[@mrmiruk]

Do you really need them if you install a Positive Input Ventilation system? Considered an approved alternative ventilation method by building control, so I don't believe they are required even then for a new build

[@GlazingInsider]

I would say no you don’t - if you have a ventilation system the window and doors ideally should be trickle vent free to maximise the efficiency of the system. At the end of the day if the building inspector is happy you will get the sign off.

[@318ajay]

HI Jo

[@icooper5236]

You don't need trickle vents if you have night vents on the sash, the need of trickle vents is a myth

[@stevewilliams1122]

Worst invention ever. They are all blocked up in my house as the frame isn’t perfectly flat so don’t seal properly and droughts come through

[@felixscamp]

Absolute waste of cash & never found any that really worked. Blocked every one & installed heat recovery ventilation; absolutely condensation free in the whole house

[@goproexplo9290]

Could you explain heat recovery ventilation please is it expensive?

[@miranda-q6w]

Ridiculous things. I have taped and blocked mine up. I will never ever purchase another property with these awful noise polluting things. Who ever invented these vents should be fired.

[@Da_Spiritualist]

Just more lies, new things are not improving our lives but making it worse. These vents are awful and a scam. Just another lie, how were people living without these vents for years and years? lol what a joke. No we don't need them.

[@robertg9288]

English houses are so seal???? The most funny joke.

[@GlazingInsider]

lol some definitely not all 😀

[@HMFDRAM]

So you spend thousands on windows only to have a massive hole in a frame....I've got these and they are ridiculous. They go on about energy saving but how have these passed any eco regulations with such a ridiculous design

[@GlazingInsider]

You are not alone with your thoughts, this needs to be its own video but - the tests are separate. In short it comes down to health - the risk of people not ventilating their homes correctly/adequately creating - bad air - disease - mould - other excess moisture problems is currently a bigger problem.

[@davidmiller7771]

Trickle vents are the ruination of a good window , i would never fit them unless a customer specifically requested them , they are fitted into all new build properties , bearing in mind the windows fitted have to be pas 24 regulations , and also the doors , so you are fitting a window using a special frame glazed with planitherm glass , giving the frame an A+ rating to meet energy efficiency standards , then you have to put in a vent made of plastic , that when even closed is draughty , and the biggest form of pollution we have at this time noise , so basically that vent has ruined any performance the windows they are fitted in , to top this , building control do an air pressure test on the property , to test for air leakage , and to do this they have to tape the vents up , absolute nonsense , my advice to my customers , never have trickle vents fitted unless its a store room where they dont want an opener put one in for air circulation to stop condensation , but the most important thing a house holder has to do OPEN YOUR WINDOWS , change the air in your house every day , ventilation stops condensation and mould , get rid of stale air , it is unhealthy and full of bacteria , your windows will perform better without trickle vents , will last longer and they will not get full of crap blown in by the wind common sense needed .

[@markturner6755]

I absolutely agree David. I used to fit doors and windows years ago and we never used these devices. I have just bought a new build which to be fair has good window frames and from what I can see great glazing. The compulsory trickle vents are driving me nuts. The traffic noise is so loud When they are shut that I have to double check that I have closed the windows. Now that winter is here the draughts are ridiculous. A complete waste of good windows.

[@mannion1985]

Yep we have older windows with no vents and just have the habit of opening the windows often. Even in winter I'll open the bedroom windows whilst making the beds etc, bathroom window is almost always open with the bathroom door shut. Only had condensation when it's absolutely freezing/snowing.

[@darwinsfish]

Agreed but they’re mandatory now. Sealed mine up with foam. I’m quite capable of opening my windows.

[@davidmiller7771]

@@Robt5610 What you have to watch for is putting to much foam into the slot , i would use a foam called Insta stick it is low expansion but very dense when it sets , , remove the trickle vent covers first before putting the foam in , let it set solid , trim excess off with a sharp knife , then cover with white double sided tape , if you dont the foam will discolour over time and be unsightly , it will improve the performance of the window

[@gavindavis2868]

Problem is some tenants don't seem to open windows at all and dry clothes on rads etc and then mould comes and off they go!

[@kevinwestk7958]

We had new windows earlier this year cost £12k with trickle vents fitted absolutely stupid idea as soon as the wind got up or cold snap came along could feed me draughts worse than the old 20 year old windows and still got condensation on the new windows so have blocked all of the vents with insulation material except for the bathroom and kitchen windows, going to make a permanent job of the blocking the vents in the spring and summer, another stupid example of government interference. They keep saying you must get an energy efficient home then make legislation to cut slots in perfectly good window frame and fit a flimsy plastic vent with a useless thin cover