Covering The Latest Building Regulations Update On Trickle Vents

On 15th June, there was a new requirement added to the Building Regulations regarding the installation of windows: all new and replacement windows must have trickle vents incorporated into the design.

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with what trickle vents are. Planet has put together a brief guide on their purpose and why they’re so important.

Trickle Vents Explained

The need for trickle vents in our windows is partly down to the high performance of our modern, energy efficient windows.

Of course, energy efficiency is a great thing. It reduces our reliance on expensive heating systems and helps us to feel warm and cosy during the winter.

However, by doing their job at preventing internal heat from escaping, contemporary windows provide less ventilation when shut. This can lead to a build-up of damp, which can put the household’s health at risk. To combat this, trickle vents are now a legal requirement in replacement windows.

The small hole in the window minimises pollutants and helps improve air quality within the home.

Your window fitter should confirm that your replacement windows comply with the new Building Regulations and they should also be able to provide advice about which trickle vents to go for.

There are only three specific circumstances that won’t require windows with trickle vents and they are: certain Listed Buildings, homes within Conservation Areas and buildings with heat recovery systems.

For every other window, it will need to be installed with trickle vents. Some homeowners already have vents within their old windows. If replacing them, the performance levels of the trickle vents must perform just as well or better than the existing vents.

Failure to comply with the new Building Regulations could prevent a house sale in the future and even worse, it could negatively impact yours or your family’s health. Remember to obtain a completion certificate as proof of installation.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions about the new Building Regulations regarding trickle vents – Planet is here to help. You can give us a call or head to our website to send an enquiry.