Supply valve for plastic windows: how to choose and install a ventilation valve

Kinds

A wide variety of plastic windows, the specifics of individual buildings and localities, the peculiarities of climatic conditions and the use of ventilation systems lead to a significant range of valves. To adjust the air flow in a number of models, a manual technique is used. Depending on the intention of the designers, sometimes you can use laces (in the same way as for controlling the blinds)

This is important because the valve itself is often placed quite high. There are versions that are equipped with electric motors.

Typically, the leftmost placement of the regulator opens the ventilation duct by 100%. Accordingly, the right position corresponds to its complete closure. Difficulties can be associated with the selection of a suitable intermediate mode, it is very difficult to choose it without the help of professionals. Automated systems can be quite expensive, but the fees are completely reasonable. Saving thermal energy during the cold period compensates for all investments.

The automatic type of ventilation allows you to track whether there are people in the room, and the intensity of ventilation is adjusted accordingly. Such adjustment is carried out by sensors, depending on the type of their adjustment takes place according to indicators of humidity or atmospheric pressure. The system that measures the pressure is equipped with a curtain with a top suspension. This curtain goes up or down according to the pressure of the air flow, that is, there is no need to use a barometer. Pressure gauges are often made from nylon tapes.

The bottom line is that nylon shrinks under the action of moisture, and therefore the passage of air systematically increases. Speaking about the division of valves, it should be noted that they belong to one of three groups:

• slotted;
• overhead;
• folded category.

Slotted products are able to maintain an optimal supply of fresh air. It goes through a channel 17-40 cm wide and 1.2-1.6 cm high. To prevent the penetration of harmful insects and dust particles, an inlet cover is used. It is able to additionally stop the ingress of rainwater into the house. The opening on the reverse side of the hood (inside the building) is equipped with a control system.

Slotted valves can be installed in the upper parts of the leaves or in horizontal dividing profiles. The advantage of such products is increased throughput and ease of fixing. If we talk about the rebate type of the exhaust system, which is placed on PVC windows, its important advantages are cheapness and simplicity. For the passage of air, narrow cuts of small size are used, made in the vestibule. The rebate block differs in the increased noise-protective characteristics.

In addition, such structures are mounted very easily. A serious weakness is insufficient air passage. Therefore, folded equipment in rooms of a large area is not used. If they try to put it there, it will only create a lot of problems. The overhead climate apparatus, according to the developers (and according to consumer estimates), is distinguished by the highest throughput.

There is another option for a constructive solution - a supply valve in the form of a handle. This option eliminates the violation of the design concept of the window. It provides a natural mode of air penetration, which is extremely valuable in the off-season and in the cold season. Combining the valve with an exhaust device allows you to stabilize the microclimate. Valves in the form of a handle belong to the direct-flow format, and therefore the appearance of condensate in the room is excluded.

Choosing a place: what to look for

It is not difficult to choose the optimal place for installing the supply valve in the apartment

It is important to correctly calculate where the warmest air accumulates and correctly imagine the features of its circulation in the room. Based on this, the following wall sections are the best places for installation:

• located between the battery and the window sill;
• at a height of 180 to 200 cm from the floor in standard apartments;
• in the case of high ceilings, the calculation is made based on the height of the window: the valve is mounted in the range from 2/3 to 3/4 of this parameter.

In the case of installing a hood over the battery, everything is explained very simply: the excess warm air goes outside, respectively, the room does not warm up too much. This is especially true for modern warm houses with powerful heating.

The need to locate the valve in the upper third of the window is explained by the peculiarities of air circulation:

• Warm streams always rush up, some of them go into the hood, so that the apartment does not overheat.
• In turn, the cold air entering from the valve goes down and heats up.
• As a result, the overall temperature evens out and becomes comfortable for people.

Valve mounting options

Installation of the overhead valve on the metal-plastic window block is carried out as follows:

• We remove the sash;
• Using a pencil and a ruler, mark the place for future drilling (approximately in the middle, at the same level, in accordance with the size of the valve);
• With a drill of a suitable diameter, we drill according to the marking, after which we connect the holes by sawing with a nail file (it is much more convenient to use a manual milling machine, but unlike a drill, not everyone has it);
• Guided by the instructions attached to the filter, we mount its elements;
• We put the shutter in place.

More details can be seen in the video:

Types of valves for PVC windows

Inlet valves differ in design and control method - their cost, efficiency, installation and maintenance complexity depend on this.

Manual and automatic

The air flow through the valve, depending on the design of the device, can be constant or adjustable. The second option is more convenient to use, so it is much more popular than the first. The ventilation intensity can be adjusted manually or automatically.

Manual involves the presence of a special valve that opens and closes air access to the room and regulates the throughput of the device.

Pros:

• low cost;
• simple design;
• the ability to completely block the access of air from the street and open the valve when necessary.

Minuses:

• for effective work, human participation is needed in order to open and close the valve in time;
• a person controls it, relying on intuition and his own feelings, without taking into account the humidity of the air.

The valve with automatic control is able to perform its function without human intervention, ventilating the room either for a certain amount of air, or until a comfortable humidity level is reached.

Pros:

• the valve works even if no one is at home;
• just set the desired settings and you can forget about the device;
• the device is able to constantly maintain a good indoor climate.

Minuses:

• high price;
• some models do not have the ability to turn off the ventilation completely.

Types of devices by design

The design of the inlet valve determines how it is installed. There are several types:

• folded (without milling);
• slotted (with milling);
• invoices;
• built into the handle.

The folded inlet valve is the easiest to install.It is mounted in the space between the sash and the frame. The kit includes a thinner seal, which is placed only at the valve attachment point, thus, a small gap is obtained, with a length from 17 to 40 cm. The valve consists of two parts: an air intake (visor), which is installed on the street, an exhaust part - it is mounted from the inside. The air flow can be adjusted. The capacity of the device is from 5 m³/hour.

Pros:

• low cost;
• simple do-it-yourself installation;
• if necessary, it is easy to dismantle and restore the sash tightness.

Minuses:

• relatively low throughput;
• only suitable for windows with opening sashes.

False valve.

There are devices that are more difficult to install - slot-hole devices, for their installation it is necessary to mill the sash. They are suitable for tilt-and-turn and fixed sashes. But in the second case, you will have to cut holes in the metal reinforcement, which is located inside the frame.

Such structures can consist of one solid block or two separate ones: one of them is installed on the street, the second - indoors. For their installation, it is required to make holes of an elongated shape in the upper part of the overlap of the sash and the overlap of the frame. To do this, it is desirable to have a template.

slotted valve

The capacity of the slotted valve is up to 40 m³/hour. This is enough to ensure that there is always fresh air in a room where two people live.

Pros:

• high throughput;
• suitable for any windows, including deaf ones;
• most models are equipped with systems for maintaining sound insulation and filters.

Minuses:

• costs more than folded;
• for installation, it is necessary to violate the integrity of the frame and sash;
• difficult to install - the installation should be entrusted to specialists.

The principle of operation of the valve installed with milling.

The most effective inlet valve is overhead or built-in. It is capable of passing up to 100 m³/h of fresh air. For residential premises, this is too intense a flow, so such devices are used in large and crowded premises. Their installation must be planned before the installation of windows, since the device is built into the space for double-glazed windows and the size of the sash must be adjusted to the dimensions of the ventilation device.

Another type of ventilation device is window handles with inlet valves. In fact, these are the same slotted ones, but their throughput is much lower, since the flow does not go through a solid slot in the sash, but through the pipes that connect the street with the room.

For installation, it is necessary to remove the old handle, drill through holes according to the template, insert the tubes and fix the parts of the handle. The air flow is controlled by a valve.

Window handle with ventilation.

Installation of the supply air damper

The finished hole does not have to be completely horizontal. A slight slope towards the street is allowed, due to which the resulting condensate will be quickly removed from the ventilation duct.

The valve installation process is as follows:

• an air duct is laid in the hole;
• the protruding parts of the duct are marked with a pencil;
• the pipe is removed from the wall and cut according to the marks;
• the air duct is again placed in the wall and fixed with mounting foam (all voids between the concrete surface and the pipe are blown with foam);

• a filter and a heat-insulating element are installed inside the channel;
• a protective grille is mounted on the outside to prevent insects from penetrating into the duct (it can either be simply inserted or screwed to the outer wall with self-tapping screws);
• from the inside, a decorative cap is installed on the air duct, which, in combination, is an air flow regulator.

With proper placement, the supply ventilation valve will be completely invisible. In this case, the air flow rate is regulated by reducing or increasing the gap on the decorative cap. If necessary, it can be completely blocked or, conversely, completely opened.

Under normal conditions, the supply valve is able to fully meet the needs of the premises in fresh air, since it guarantees its supply in the amount of 45-55 cubic meters per hour.

Installing a valve on plastic windows

Valve on PVC window closed

The valve is fixed in a horizontal position on top of the window sash. Thanks to it, fresh air will regularly enter the room, creating a normal microclimate. In addition, such a problem as condensation on the windows will go away.

It is important that it will not be difficult for the consumer to manually adjust the amount of wind flow that is required.

The valve works with the window closed. Small air flows will come closer to the ceiling, so the owner of the house will not feel inconvenience from a draft. The choice of valves is varied, they are produced by both domestic and foreign manufacturers, standard and meeting the latest modern requirements, responsive to changes in humidity in the apartment.

The specifics of the damper installation depend on the profile design (with increased noise protection or air permeability).The installation is carried out without milling, 400 mm of sealant is removed in the outer contour. If the profile is with increased noise protection, the removal is done at the bottom of the block. If a profile with increased air permeability is removed at the top, opposite the place where the ventilation valve is installed.

Features of the choice of some technical parameters

First of all, you should not focus on heavy-duty models - their exorbitant power may simply be unclaimed. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the required bandwidth

It depends on the flow area and the resulting pressure difference at the inlet/outlet. Thus, a 15 cubic meter per hour device at 10 Pascals will not necessarily pass more oxygen than a 12 cubic meters per hour model at 5 Pascals. There is no universal volume of air exchange - everything is calculated individually, but experts say that a standard office cabinet will be enough to pass a power of 20-35 cubic meters per hour at 10 Pascals.

It is worth recalling that after installing the clinket, the level of sound insulation in the room should not change. However, it can be further improved by purchasing a damper model with noise-protective inserts (a kind of acoustic labyrinth inside the structure that dampens sound vibrations), which reduce noise when the device is operating in the air supply mode. Thus, the standard 30 - 35 decibels, which is provided by the double-glazed window itself, can be reduced to 15 decibels by means of inserts on the valve.

It must also be remembered that water vapor can be released through the valve openings, which in winter will certainly lead to icing of the device and the risk of its subsequent breakdown. In this case, it is better to take care of the so-called "thermal break" - this is another insert in the clinket between external and internal modulesmade of plastic, designed to prevent the formation of frost.

For the warm season, it is desirable to use replaceable mesh filters in order to prevent large insects from entering the valve channels.

Features, advantages and disadvantages of supply ventilation devices

Having studied the above information, we can conclude about the features, pros and cons of the ventilation valve for plastic windows.

Among the advantages, users and specialists distinguish the following qualities:

• if the installation of the supply valve on the window is carried out directly in the frame, then the amount of sunlight penetrating into the room remains unchanged;
• the valve provides a constant supply of fresh air in the amount necessary to maintain a favorable microclimate in residential, office and other spaces;
• excessive humidity is reduced due to the uniform supply of dry fresh air into the room;
• in winter, you can refuse to ventilate with open windows, which will eliminate the appearance of drafts and reduce heat loss;
• the device works silently and does not let noise from the street into the room;
• the operation of the valve on the window can be adjusted independently or automatically;
• installation of a valve on a PVC window is possible even for people without proper experience, it is simple and does not take much time;
• The operation process is also easy, in order to use the valve you do not need to read the instructions or study additional information.

Exist at valve on plastic window and minor cons:

• the soundproofing properties of PVC structures, although slightly, are still reduced;
• a good window valve for ventilation will be expensive, especially if you choose a model with an automatic regulator;
• sometimes installing one valve on a PVC window is not enough to ensure the flow of clean air in the right amount, so for the system to be effective, you will have to buy and install several such devices;
• in severe frosts from -25С, frost may form in the upper part of the valve.

Comparative table of two ways of ventilation of the room.

Supply valve	Ventilation with an open sash
Comfort	Ventilation occurs without the formation of drafts, heat loss and reduction of sound insulation	In winter, the room immediately becomes cold, the heat goes into the open doors and all the noise from the street is heard
Safety	During airing, you do not need to worry that the ill-wisher will penetrate the window.	Additional possibility of illegal penetration for malefactors. Thus, it is possible to ventilate the room only with personal presence.
Efficiency	Supply ventilation for plastic windows works continuously, so all the disadvantages of PVC structures are reduced to zero. There is always fresh and clean air in the room, there is no condensation on the windows.	In winter, the effectiveness of conventional ventilation is very low, since fresh air does not enter the room constantly, and this is not enough to maintain a healthy microclimate.

An opinion about the supply ventilation valves can be formed on the basis of the above features and a table in which this unit is compared with the traditional ventilation method in three important consumer parameters.

What supply valves are

Valves are of three types:

• wooden;
• metal;
• plastic.

The ventilation device can be adjusted using:

• electric motor;
• manually;
• cord;
• barbell.

Valve active

Depending on the design of the valves, 3 standard operating modes are used:

• When it is open and air from the street enters the house. When purchasing a valve, the technical data sheet indicates the maximum throughput of this device. Standard indicators are 35-50 m3 per hour.
• The valve can be in closed mode, then the air enters the apartment with an intensity of 5 m3 per hour.
• If the valve is automatically regulated, it will turn on when the humidity level rises.

How the adjustment is made

The device may or may not include air flow control. Adjustment is required to achieve the required humidity in the room. The setting is carried out manually or automatically.

Incorrect manual adjustment can lead to hypothermia. This is excluded by automatic tuning. In such devices, a sensor is installed that measures the level of humidity in the room. The higher it is, the more the damper opens. The air circulation in the dwelling is increased. There is no risk of misconfiguration.

Check valve performance. When freezing, the cause is most likely the poor performance of the main ventilation. In this case, you need to clean the hood in the apartment.To check, a sheet is brought to the hole. It should be attracted to the vent by the airflow.

When ice forms on the structure in winter, you need to move the curtain. Thick curtains create a cold zone near the window. Air cannot fully penetrate the room.

If too much air enters, you need to adjust the device. If the damper is retracted to the maximum, it is necessary to block part of the standard ventilation.

The filter and sound absorber can be washed in soapy water. This can only be done if they are made entirely of synthetic materials. The inner case is cleaned of dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Before installation, synthetic filters are completely dried after washing. It is strictly forbidden to install them wet.

The supply valve is a useful design solution. Helps to fully restore the microclimate in the room. It is inexpensive, but does its job perfectly.

Popular manufacturers

When buying, you can choose ventilation for windows from leading manufacturers. This is a guarantee of quality and safety. Large companies use in the manufacture of material that does not emit toxic substances during operation. The range of leading manufacturers is wide. You can choose manual or automatic options.

Aereco valve

Aereco window ventilation looks like an elongated compact plastic cover. Fits on the top of the frame. The design may have a different shade. The advantage is a neat look. The design does not make the window piled up. It has to do with compactness.

Oxygen permeates vertically.When using the structure in housing, the temperature does not drop. Some models have a convenient mode switch.

Air comfort valve

Supply structures from this company are produced in the Russian Federation. It is distinguished by the absence of structural elements from the side of the streets. It is also possible to install the device without drilling. In the future, it will be possible to remove the structure, install it on another window.

The device is cheap. The product does not need to be connected to electricity. The primary disadvantage is the lack of automatic adjustment.

Air box valve

The Air-Box valve aims to reduce heat loss with proper air circulation. Excludes fogging of glasses and reproduction of pathogenic microflora. The air flow is changed by turning the knob. Installation is carried out without drilling or with milling.

Ventilation damper REHAU Climamat

The ventilation damper from REHAU Climamat can be installed both during installation and after prolonged use of windows. The structure is located in the fold of the upper sash.

The valve works when the window is in the closed state. In strong winds, the shutters close automatically.

Installing a valve on plastic windows

Valve on PVC window closed

The valve is fixed in a horizontal position on top of the window sash. Thanks to it, fresh air will regularly enter the room, creating a normal microclimate. In addition, such a problem as condensation on the windows will go away.

It is important that it will not be difficult for the consumer to manually adjust the amount of wind flow that is required.

The valve works with the window closed. Small air flows will come closer to the ceiling, so the owner of the house will not feel inconvenience from a draft.The choice of valves is varied, they are produced by both domestic and foreign manufacturers, standard and meeting the latest modern requirements, responsive to changes in humidity in the apartment.

The specifics of the damper installation depend on the profile design (with increased noise protection or air permeability). The installation is carried out without milling, 400 mm of sealant is removed in the outer contour. If the profile is with increased noise protection, the removal is done at the bottom of the block. If a profile with increased air permeability is removed at the top, opposite the place where the ventilation valve is installed.

Installation of a perforated ventilator

It is desirable to mount the valve for perforation in the upper part of the window. The complexity of the work lies in the need to mill the frame - here you can not do without special equipment and skills in working with power tools.

The nuances of installing a built-in valve

When planning a valve insert, there are a few things to consider:

• installation of the ventilation device is best done on the removed sash;
• installation is carried out in the warm season;
• when sawing the hole, you must work carefully so as not to damage the seal on the sash.

The sash is removed from the hinges, installed in an inclined or vertical position.

Part of the fittings (scissors and corner gear) is removed from the frame, strikers are removed - they can interfere with milling

List of required tools

To install the "supply" you will need:

• electric drill and drills (diameter - 5 mm and 10 mm);
• fine-grained file;
• jigsaw;
• template for marking holes;
• silicone sealant.

It will be possible to prepare a groove without a template, but it is easier to work with it.You can make a template yourself from plywood or hardboard.

Step-by-step progress of work

The entire installation process of the inlet valve is divided into several stages:

Stage 1. Markup. Put a template on the vertical ledge and mark the insertion point of the device.

Stage 2. Sash milling. Using a large diameter drill, drill several holes in a row and connect them with a jigsaw. Repeat the operations on the frame overlay.

Window chambers opened during the milling process must be filled with sealant - this will prevent moisture from entering and whistling during air circulation

Step 3. Mounting plate and valve installation. Treat the back side of the plank with sealant, attach the part to the sash and fix it with self-tapping screws.

Indoor ventilation unit install to the frame and snap the fasteners on the bar. Check the evenness and strength of the valve location

Stage 4. Mounting the visor. From the outer side of the frame, fix the protective visor with self-tapping screws. Treat the joint between the parts with sealant. When installing it is desirable to use insurance.

Stage 5. Completion of installation. Install the fittings back into place and hang the sash on the hinges. Set the ventilation mode on the ventilation device.

Featured Brands

Experts recommend that a potential buyer take a closer look at products (Russia) manufactured under the Air-Box brand. These valves are universal, they are suitable for windows of any type.

The company manufactures the product in three versions:

1. Air-Box Standard is the basic version.
2. Air-Box Comfort - version with improved noise protection.
3. Air-Box Comfort-S is an option for blind windows.It is recommended to install only if the Comfort model cannot be installed, since Comfort-S is ventilated.

Supply valve Air Box without milling

The same manufacturer produces Regel-Air valves with automatic control.

The company Homearea (France) can also be attributed to the number of trustworthy ones. It produces its valves under the Aereco brand.