How to Minimise the Risk of Mould and Condensation: Trickle Vents Explained

Windows with trickle vents installed by Falcon Windows Ipswich deliver maximum ventilation with minimal heat loss

We all want our homes to be warm, dry and draft-free and to keep our energy bills in check. But in sealing air leaks in or around windows and doors, it’s important not to overlook the ongoing need for good ventilation.

Ventilating rooms properly - especially kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms – is extremely important as it can otherwise lead to condensation and to potentially harmful mould or mildew growth, bringing about health and breathing issues. So how can you ensure maximum energy efficiency and make sure air leaks are sealed effectively, without compromising that all-important air-flow? Trickle vents are the answer.

What are trickle vents and how do they work?

The clue’s in the name. Trickle vents they are small vents - usually fitted with a mesh to prevent insects from entering the room! - with an easy-to-operate, knob or lever-operated open and shut mechanism which allow fresh air to ‘trickle’ into the room and stale air to be released.

By allowing just a small amount of air to enter your home, the air pressure on both sides of the window is kept at an equal level. This not only prevents the window from bowing or breaking, but helps to regulate the indoor temperature too, keeping, the air inside fresh and your home more comfortable - and preventing the build-up of moisture, mould and condensation.

Where are trickle vents located?

Trickle vents are generally sited in the upper part of your windows, in the frame and usually above opening rather than fixed pane windows. The hinged covers are usually in easy-clean UPVC and an be opened by pulling the cover gently forward to allow air to flow behind. An additional sideways mechanism may allow further movement of the cover for regulation of the air flow.

Are trickle vents fitted to all windows?

Trickle vents are standard to all new windows installed by Falcon Windows Ipswich. All new and replacement windows installed in the UK Trickle after 15th June 2022 must by law be fitted with trickle vents in line with regulations. These regulations apply to both domestic and commercial properties and regardless of whether the windows being replaced had trickle vents before or not.

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Can trickle vents be retro-fitted?

If your existing windows do not have them, it should still be possible to fit them retrospectively, even to upvc windows, but the style of retro-fitted trickle vent and the suitability of them for your windows will depend on the material, location and age of the windows.

We would always advocate asking the opinion of a windows installation professional and getting a professional to quote for any retrospective work to your windows. A professional installer will ensure that your trickle vents are located, fitted and sealed properly, delivering the ventilation and energy-efficiency you are looking for.

How do trickle vents help to minimse condensation?

Condensation and subsequent mould are the most common problems associated with poor ventilation and trickle vents can often correct that. If there is no ventilation in a room, or if the ventilation is not adequate, condensation may occur when warm, humid air hits a cold surface, such as a window or door.

Condensation is unsightly. It can obscure visibility by clouding your windows with water droplets or fog your double glazed windows if the seal between the glass is compromised. Should water from condensation run down the windows, it can cause damage to painted frames or cills – or even curtains, soft furnishings or paper located on or nearby.

But more importantly, condensation encourages the growth of the fungi which thrives in damp, humid environments such as mould or mildew. The spores released to the air from these fungi can in turn cause health and respiratory problems, even skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Trickle vents allow for a slow, steady flow of air into a room and this ventilation helps to prevent the build-up of condensation and mould. They will help to keep windows clear and fog-free – but sometimes the damage may have already been done. That is why, if you are fitting new windows then frames with integral trickle vents are not just a sound investment, but an absolute must!

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Trickle vents in windows - other advantages

If people smoke or vape in the house, then trickle vents will keep the air flowing to clear smoke, improve the air quality and keep your room feeling fresher.

Even if there are no smokers in the house – or if they smoke outside - ventilation is hugely important in communal spaces and bedrooms too. It’s easy to forget that breathing is one of the biggest sources of house-humidity! In a 3-bedroom property, the humidity created by four people - 112 pints in a week! – is not just the result of running hot water, cooking or boiling kettles!

Swap out any portable gas or paraffin heaters for other sources of heat. As well as fumes, this type of heating can produce a lot of extra moisture.

It's worth thinking outside the box when considering moisture-heavy rooms which really need extra attention to ventilation . We may think of bathrooms or kitchens straight away, but rooms such as studies, workshops or bedrooms where you may be using a kettle or coffee-machine regularly will really benefit from good, ongoing ventilation and trickle vents are ideal for this.

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More ways to help minimise the risk of condensation, damp and mould

Repair any damage to the sealant around your windows
Install double or triple glazing or high-performance glass
Check for exterior damage and water ingress
Use bathmats in the shower-room or bathroom so pools of water do not sit about
Wipe down cold surfaces
Dry clothes (or bathmats!) outdoors whenever possible. If it has to be inside on radiators, be sure to ventilate the room adequately
Close doors to kitchens, bathrooms and utility/ laundry rooms and ventilate them properly – don’t let the damp air travel into every room of your home!
Using a washing machine? Check it is correctly vented
Put a lid on your pan when cooking
Fit and use an extractor fan – in kitchens, shower-rooms, toilets and bathrooms
Put wardrobes and soft furnishings against inside walls – they are warmer! – and be sure not to overfill your wardrobes or cupboards either.
Introduce heating to all your rooms – turning heating off totally in some rooms can be a false economy. Ambient heating that simply takes the chill off is always a good idea and underfloor heating can be cost-effective an ideal.

All new windows installed by Falcon Windows Ipswich are fitted with trickle vents as standard to help minimise condensation and mould problems in your home. Why not ask us about our wide selection of UPVC and aluminium windows, or pop into our showroom and take a look.

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