UPVC double glazing / trickle vents

[sm_jamieson]

My plans for the extension contains the usual wording about ventilation and windows:

Windows to habitable rooms to have opening vents not less than 5% floor area of room, plus 8000mm2 controllable trickle ventilation. Kitchens and bathrooms to have 4000mm2 controllable trickle ventilation.

But I've been looking at the UPVC windows around and the trickle venting seems to be ugly sliding things on the inside, horizontal slots on the outside, and looks horrid. Also, it is a noise path even when "shut". What is the alternative to these, that will satisfy the regs ?

Simon.

[Owain]

Windows that can be locked slightly open.

Passive stack ventilation.

Whole house ventilation and heat recovery system.

Airbrick on the outside wall ducted to slidy-shut covers on the inside. (These are quite easy to block up later...)

[Tony Bryer]

Airbrick (probably plastic louvred to get the area) outside, hit-and-miss vent inside. You could like the opening between the two with acoustic tiles to reduce any noise.

[Bob Mannix]

I don't believe there is as, to satisfy the regs, you will need a FENSA certificate for the windows and FENSA certified units will come with trickle vents automatically. I supect you wouldn't get a FENSA certificate without the vents either as it's not their job to see if you are sorting out ventilation in some other way, just to certify the windows.

[Mathew Newton]

I could be wrong (it does occaionally happen) but did I read somewhere that windows that can be locked/secured in an 'ajar' position are acceptable alternatives to having 'permanent' trickle vents fitted?

Certainly our Rehau units, only a couple of years old, don't have trickle vents - but they can be locked in a 'slightly-open' fashion (very handy that feature is too). Of course, perhaps they're not regulation compliant but it's a reputable brand I believe (which is good enough for me).

Mathew

[Lobster]

Might be worth checking with your local BCO whether they are an absolute requirement. They aren't round my way; I have no idea why. I've fitted several under BCO supervision with no problem at all. The local window manufacturers are well aware and I think don't routinely fit the trickle vents!

David

[Phil L]

I agree, around here no one cares neither...the BCO probably isn't interested in the slightest.

[Steve]

Is that new? I had loads fitted a couple of years ago and they didn't have vents, they came with the normal fensa certs.

Steve

[Brian Sharrock]

That's my understanding of what the FENSA subscription man told me. HE said that owner/occupiers tended to buy the lock-in-an-intermediate-position windows ('cos they look nice) whilest rentiers (including councils and Housing Associations) specify the ugly looking windows with trickle vents ('cos they're cheaper - and tenants tend to dry clothes indoors with windows shut tight leading to damp problems).