Can You Fit Trickle Vents to Existing Windows?

The new building regulations came into force in 2022, stating several updates affecting glazing products for home improvement projects. These changes affect all new homes and extensions across the UK. Part F of building regulations have been changed concerning ventilation and trickle vents, but can you fit trickle vents into existing windows to comply?

Let’s discuss trickle vents and why you need them.

What are trickle vents?

Trickle vents are vents situated at the top of a window or door that can be adjusted to allow ventilation. A small hole is routed out the top of a window or door frame and allows air to pass through. The new trickle vents are then clipped to the routed area. The primary purpose of trickle vents is to enable the window operator to control the ventilation that comes through the window and/or door.

Concealed trickle vents in our windows and doors can come in a wide range of colours and finishes to match your frames perfectly, so there is no need to worry about them affecting your home interiors.

Can trickle vents be fitted to existing windows?

Yes, it is entirely possible to fit trickle vents in existing windows. You might like to consider trickle vents if you are experiencing any of these problems:

• Your home feels stuffy
• You are experiencing persistent problems with condensation
• or you would like to increase ventilation within a bathroom or kitchen, for example.

All new houses and new build extensions must now have trickle vents fitted as standard to comply with building regulations. So, if you buy new windows for this purpose, you must bear this in mind.

Emerald Windows and Doors have many years of experience and can help and advise you on how our home improvement products can comply with building regulations.

What are the benefits of trickle vents?

• Cleaner air in your home

Trickle vents provide effective background ventilation in your home and can even help to reduce the severity of health problems like asthma. They can also help to manage air levels of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in your home.

• Improved window security

Trickle ventilators offer constant airflow in the home even when a window is closed and locked. The opening for the trickle vent is very small, commonly less than 20mm wide, which prevents anyone from intruding into your home.

• Trickle vents operate all day, every day 

Even at night or while you are away on holiday, trickle vents give you constant home ventilation. If a trickle vent is left open, it will provide continuous background ventilation to your home.

• Reduced external noise

Trickle vents provide ventilation to any room without needing to open the window, which reduces external noise levels. If you live near a busy road or an airport, trickle vents can be designed with additional acoustic options to give even more noise reduction benefits.

• Condensation reduction

If your home has a problem with condensation, especially in colder weather. Replacing older windows with modern double-glazed units, which include a trickle vent, could be the answer.

• Cost effective

Trickle vents are a passive home ventilation system with the lowest cost for home ventilation. There are no ongoing electricity costs with trickle vents, and they allow you to have better control over the room ventilation than traditional air bricks.

Replacement windows with trickle vents in the South West

Emerald offers replacement windows with trickle vents across the South West and covers areas in Wiltshire, Reading, Bath, Bristol, Marlborough, Berkshire, Gloucester, Oxfordshire, and other surrounding areas.

Visit our showroom in Swindon, where you can see our selection of windows, doors, shutters, and more. Start your next home improvement project with Emerald windows and doors today.

For more information, call us on 0800 612 4151 or use our online form for more information.

Read everything we know about windows and doors

Do I Need Trickle Vents in My Windows? A Homeowner’s Guide on The New Building Regulations of June 2022

Should I Replace My Windows Before Having Shutters Installed?

The Benefits of Triple Glazed Windows

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