What is a Glazed In Window Vent and Its Benefits

There are many ways to provide the correct level of ventilation and new buildings have several options…

These options run from full mechanical ventilation, through partial mechanical all the way to complete natural ventilation. All these systems have their own benefits, and the building designer can choose. In the refurbishment market, it can be easy to incorporate window vents into the strategy even if you now need more than you did before.

The easy option for replacing the windows must be incorporated through the frame vents. That is the favoured choice. A simple slot, a few screws, and the job is done. But what, given that we now need more ventilation, if you cannot get enough air through the frame? Frames have their own limitations in terms of size and available positions. Sometimes the plasterboard or render is going to cover much of the available area. You can place your trickle vents in the sash but that potentially limits size even more. It doesn’t take a structural engineer to realise that sometimes the required slot size would severely compromise the window’s structural integrity. Most projects will not cause any issues but what can you do when you do have not enough space, and you need more air?

There is a terrific option that your architect will love. Over frame, vents can give superb airflow and acoustic control and can be hidden away at the head of the window, visually lost in the shadow of the reveal. The downside of these vents can be cost. In the big scheme of things, the cost of an over-frame vent is reasonable. But when a build is over budget it can be an area that will come under scrutiny. The key point is that these vents must span the whole width of the window. So you may be getting more air than you need. The potential for more air through a controllable source is a good thing but you may be paying for more than you need. Ultimately the client and builder may be looking for cost savings and this could be a target for value engineering.

So, is there a more cost-effective method of getting more air?

The answer could be the humble glazed in vent. Once, this type of vent was very popular but while ventilation was being neglected, they dropped out of fashion. The upside of these vents is that you have more choice over where they can be fitted, and they can give really good and controllable airflow.

The downside is that they intrude into the visible area of the window. Of course, many of the items on a window are visible and with blinds and curtails etc. the glazed in vent swiftly absorbs itself into the overall design. But at that initial stage it can seem like any loss of glazed area will feel like a big imposition on the building user. The percentage loss may be small, and the ventilation gains may be large, but humans are not as logical as we like to think.

So, we can perhaps expect an initial resistance but common sense, the building regulations and the wellbeing of the residents will win through in the end.

Benefit of the Glazed In Window Vent

Imagine we have a refurbishment project, and we realise that we need more ventilation. The windows were replaced a few years ago, and while they are not completely up to date, they are perfectly adequate. They keep the weather out and keep the heat in. There are a few through the frame trickle vents here and there but they are clearly not going to give enough ventilation to meet the proper needs of the occupier. Could there possibly be a method of enhancing the ventilation without having to try cutting slots in situ. Routing a slot in the factory is simple. Trying to do the same to an installed window is not impossible but it is awkward and time consuming. So that is best avoided.

Fitting a glazed in vent, on the other hand, is simplicity itself. Order a new glazing unit 70mm shorter than the existing. Order a vent which will be the same width as your glass. When the items arrive pop out the beads, remove the old unit, place the vent on top of the new unit with the gasket supplied. Now just insert the new unit (don’t forget the packers) complete with vent, clip the beads back in and the job is complete.

At Brookvent we can supply various glazed in vents that can cater for pretty much any situation. We have vents to fit standard 28mm units, vents that can fit older thinner units and vents that can be made to fit even the thickest triple glazed unit.

Options that we have let in terrific amounts of air and those with a regulating flap to avoid draughts in tall buildings. We also offer glazed in vents that will fit sliding doors with fouling the action. We even have glazed in vents that can give 55dB reduction in noise in the open position.

Click here to view our full range of our Glazed In Window Vent

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Please get in touch to learn more about how Brookvent can help manage your properties, Click and get in touch with Brookvent today! Or call our office on 02890616505 or email, hello@brookvent.co.uk.

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