From Wednesday 15th June 2022, new legislation for Building Regulations will come into force in England. The new legislation will affect any complete new windows or doors being installed into a property, unless it meets one of the exemption criteria detailed below.
The legislation relates to the improvement of the air quality and ventilation in each habitable room in a property. It requires trickle vents to be installed in all new windows and doors. The legislation is designed to reduce the build-up of moisture, condensation, and mould in buildings.
What are trickle vents?
Trickle vents are a small opening, located in the frame of the window or door, which can be manually opened or closed. When opened trickle vents allow fresh air to come into the room.
External view of a trickle vent on a sash window
What are the main benefits of having trickle vents installed?
By allowing you to let in fresh air without having to open the window or door, trickle vents offer various benefits to your home.
They allow you to easily let fresh air in, which in turn provides various health benefits. The health benefits include helping to alleviate asthma and reduce stale air, which can contain various germs and dust.
In the summer months, trickle vents allow you to let the cool air into your home, without the security risk created by leaving your windows open. This is especially a benefit for basement or ground floor windows, which are more easily accessible.
If your home is prone to suffering from condensation and mould on the walls, trickle vents can be an easy way to help prevent this.
What do trickle vents look like?
There are a variety of different types of trickle vents so this will depend on the product you are having and the manufacturer.
At The Sash Window Workshop, our trickle vents for spiral sash windows sit flush with the timber in the frame internally. Externally the vents are hidden under the frame drip rail. This means you need to look up into the window to see it.
For traditional cord hung sash windows, trickle vents will be the same as the spiral sash windows but will be surface mounted rather than recessed. Below is a video showing how our cord hung sash window trickle vents will look in your window:
In our timber casement windows and doors, trickle vents will sit in the top section of the window or door frame. Externally they will be hidden under the frame drip rail. Below is a video showing how trickle vents will look in our casement windows and doors:
Does this affect new sashes installed into existing window frames?
New sashes installed into existing window frames count as repair work. This means that they are not affected by Part F 2021 legislation, so do not require trickle vents to be fitted.
Is my property exempt from Part F 2021 legislation?
If your home is a listed building or in a Conservation Area, you will be exempt from Part F 2021 legislation. This is due to the requirement for these buildings to ensure that any replacements do not change the character of the building. Please note that this means that you won’t receive a FENSA certificate for the work, but this is not required for these properties. The only exception for this is if ventilators have been fitted to your existing windows. If this is the case, they will also need to be included on the new windows.
For newer buildings, you may already have existing mechanical ventilation systems in place. If this is the case, unless there are already trickle vents in the windows or doors, trickle vents are not required. This is because there are other systems already ventilating the property, ensuring that it complies with the legislation.
Trickle vents are also not required for secondary glazing.
Casement window trickle vent internal view
What if I don’t want trickle vents?
As this is now a legal requirement, you are unable to opt out of having trickle vents, unless you meet the exceptions listed above.
However, trickle vents can be operated to suit you, meaning that you can choose when you would like them open or closed.
Trickle vents can also be hidden in the window or door, so they are not as noticeable. This is especially the case in sash windows.
I have another question about trickle vents and Part F 2021 Ventilation legislation…
If you have any other questions about trickle vents and/or the Part F 2021 Ventilation legislation, please speak to your Sales Representative.
If you are looking for a quote to replace or upgrade your windows or doors, contact us today on 01344 868 668.