skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Design DilemmaKitchens
danny_mathieson

trickle vents vs wall vents

Danny Mathieson
3 years ago

Hi

we have been told by our sliding door company that we don't need trickle vents on the sliding doors in our kitchen extension as our electric rooflights will provide background ventilation. Velux have stated that they don't do this due to the nature of this specific event . Our architect thinks that we will need to install an air brick in the wall of our new extension. Has anyone added an airbrick or a wall vent as a means to provide background ventilation or found another solution?

Thanks

Comments (4)

  • Jonathan
    3 years ago

    Passive houses don’t have trickle vents or air bricks so you don’t actually need either.
    Trickle vents used to be used as a substitute for opening a window- you have a velux that can be opened.
    An air brick is used to get an additional oxygen supply into the space if you have a wood burner or powerful gas fire. Assuming you have neither or assuming that the extension isn’t open to the old part of the house where there is an open chimney then you probably don’t need an air brick or trickle vent. Personally I think you shouldn’t have holes in your home and save on your heating bills.

    Building regs will require you to have an extractor in a kitchen/utility/wc.

    Separately consider how high up your velux will be and if it is worth getting an electrically operated velux.

  • Phil Scott
    3 years ago

    We were told the same thing that we didn’t need trickle vents in our bifolds, but as I understood it this was because we could use the velux windows to provide the background ventilation, not that they did it by default.

    I am not an expert by any means, but I think if you have another form of ventilation in the room then trickle vents aren’t necessary. If your doors are the only opening then you would need them, but if you have other windows (even if you don’t have them open) you don’t need trickle vents. You could, after all, keep the trickle vents closed which wouldn’t provide any ventilation either.

    This is my limited understanding so hopefully someone who knows more can comment and correct me if I’m mistaken.

  • Danny Mathieson
    Original Author
    3 years ago

    thank you both for your comments and advice. We installed two electric Velux roof lights and these are counted as purge ventilation but building regs needs you to have background ventilation which is where the trickle vents come in.We have a gas fire in the same space and this extension is an add on to the old part of the house.We are seeing if we can have a passive vent installed above the kitchen units to be an alternative.

    Johnathan-what did you mean by passive house?

    thanks again

  • Victoria
    3 years ago

    A passivhaus is one that essentially needs no external heating. They do have ventilation but it is mechanical and airflow through the house is controlled. I don’t have one but do have a very insulated modern house, with no trickle vents. We have mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, basically a system of ducts and vents throughout the house which filters the air and maintains temperature.
    It sounds like you will need some form of ventilation.

Sponsored

Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore

More Discussions
How would you lay out this bathroom?
10
reconfiguring floor plan layout and would love help please
2
Interior Design Classes April to June 2024
0
Single story extension
1
Further Education & Training Centre Open Day: Interior Design Classes
0
Ireland
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.