Types and best models of supply and ventilation valves for plastic windows

The installation of sealed window structures entails a deterioration in the microclimate of the room: humidity rises, a lack of oxygen and air staleness appear. Problems can be easily solved by placing a supply valve on plastic windows - the device normalizes natural ventilation and stabilizes air exchange.

We will tell you how to choose the right ventilator to ensure the supply of fresh air to rooms with plastic window frames. We describe in detail popular device models tested in practice. For independent home craftsmen, we provide detailed installation instructions.

Which supply and ventilation valve should I choose for installation on windows and is it needed?

A ventilation valve for PVC windows is needed in order to create the correct microclimate in the room, since the design of profile systems does not provide for natural air circulation. Unlike old wooden windows, which belong to the category of “breathable - blown” materials and are capable of letting air through, plastic windows, aluminum and wooden windows are completely sealed, perfectly protect the house from dirt, dust and noise from the street, but are not always equipped with special devices for fresh air supply.

Possible problems

When operating a valve installed on a PVC window, problems often arise, causing its performance to drop :

• 
  If the valve begins to work worse and insufficient air enters the room, you should check the condition of the mesh filter.
  If the degree of contamination is high, the perforation does not allow air to pass through, and the elements must be cleaned.

• When the intensity switch does not respond and the airflow is not regulated, you need to check the connection of the lever with the petals, as well as their free movement.
• In winter, an open valve flap may freeze, which limits its movement.
• If the metal air intake is deformed due to mechanical damage, draft may be disrupted and the element should be replaced.
• Motorized valve failure requires a professional inspection of the control panel and cabling.

In general, the valve should be inspected at least once every 12 months and periodically cleaned.

Supply valve - characteristics and features of the device

To dilute stale air in the room, the window design provides an air flow function. To do this, just put the sash in the correct tilted position and leave it that way. But, a problem arises with ventilation during rain, with heavy snowfall, or the most common problem of ventilation in winter is an increased supply of cold street air, and not all residents are comfortable with the discomfort from the cold. Supply ventilation valves will solve this problem. Not all of them are installed at the factory; in most cases they are mounted into the frame already when the window is in place; this is considered an additional element of the window and is installed upon request.

The valve consists of the following elements:

• Air intake - an outdoor unit with a visor that will prevent insects, fluff and dust from getting inside.
• The working channel is of a telescopic type - fixed inside the profile using a sleeve.
• Injectors.
• Filter.
• Adjustment element.

The last 3 elements can be attributed to the internal filling of the valve; their main task is to change the intensity of air flow.

Best Mechanical Control Devices

Vents software 400

A reliable model that provides a constant flow of air in residential areas. Thanks to the high-quality construction, the product will last over 5 years. It is installed on windows of various sizes, which allows installation not only in an apartment, but in a country house or office. The device consists of three parts: an external visor, a filter, and an internal grille. Adjustment is carried out manually.

The average price is 760 rubles.

Vents software 400

Advantages:

• Low cost;
• Good performance;
• Convenient control;
• Assembly.

Flaws:

• Not found.

Airone KIV 125/1000

The meter-long structure is designed to be placed inside walls. Productivity is 50 m3 per hour, which allows the product to be used in production. From the outside, the product is covered with a metal grill with a built-in mesh. Flow control is carried out using a special regulator, which is present on the head.

The average price is 1,900 rubles.

Airone KIV 125/1000

Advantages:

• High performance;
• Simple installation that does not require window dismantling;
• Anti-mosquito net;
• Strength.

Flaws:

• Not found.

Air-Box Comfort

A good model that is suitable for installation in office and residential premises. Provides the user with a constant flow of fresh air. There are two installation options: with increased throughput or with increased sound insulation properties. Which option to choose - everyone decides based on the location of the window. The case is made of durable plastic; for convenience, there is a filter that will not allow dust and lint to penetrate.

The average cost is 600 rubles.

Air-Box Comfort

Advantages:

• Good throughput;
• Durability;
• Price;
• Easy installation without milling.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

How does it work and why is it needed?

The valve is designed to create so-called passive ventilation, if you can call it that. If the temperature outside is less than +5 degrees, a pressure difference will be created, due to which street air will be sucked into the room naturally, due to the fact that the main exhaust ventilation is working in the room. If the temperature outside is higher and an air flow is needed, then the room must be equipped with a forced flow of outdoor air, or turned on permanently.

For this to work correctly it is important:

• So that ventilation works inside the room.
• The entrance door to the apartment was sealed.
• The doors in the rooms, on the contrary, were not airtight for air passage.
• Or there were passages in the walls to allow air to escape from the room towards the exhaust ducts
• It is necessary that there is a free exchange of air masses - there are gaps from the room

Window valves in appearance resemble a gap created in the frame of a window with shutters.

Clients often come to me asking how necessary it is to install this type of device. I never tire of saying that installing a supply valve on a plastic window allows you to create a comfortable, healthy microclimate in the room and remove stale air unnoticed by household members. Since there is no ventilation effect in any translucent window structures, they should be equipped with valves. Without them, it will simply be impossible to remove carbon dioxide from the room, which has accumulated in rooms where someone is constantly present, and with the help of valves it is possible to reduce the level of humidity, and, consequently, the growth of mold and mildew on slopes. The worst consequences of constant oxygen starvation for a person are deterioration in well-being and decreased performance.

After all, you don’t have to use air supply devices; it’s enough to ventilate regularly?

Yes, of course it’s possible, and many people do it, I’ll tell you about the disadvantages:

• A constantly open “window” is noisy and cold, especially in the cold season.
• You are guaranteed drafts, since the air masses are not controlled in any way.
• This option is ideal if you like to ventilate the room as quickly as possible, open the window slightly and maximum street air enters the room.

The conclusion suggests itself.

Disadvantages and advantages

The advantages of valves include:

• Continuous flow of outside air and constant indoor air circulation.
• No drafts, which is especially important in a children’s room where a child always lives.
• Creating the right microclimate in a room is important for a person.
• No condensation, reducing the likelihood of developing fungus and mold.
• Preservation of the noise and heat insulation properties of the structure.
• A simple option to use, the main thing is to control the humidity.
• Adjustable, you can let in more or less air.

Flaws:

• If you choose a mechanical valve, it will have to be adjusted manually at height.
• There is a possibility of freezing in winter if there is no traction and humidity indoors.
• If you do not install a filter, lint and dust may enter the room.

As for adjusting the amount of air entering the room, it depends on many factors: the number of people in the room, the weather outside, the temperature in the room, and the rate of air outflow through the ventilation.

Purpose of the element

After installing the plastic structure, the natural circulation of air flow becomes worse. Less oxygen enters the room, and carbon dioxide and fumes cannot escape. All this has consequences:

• Condensation formation;
• Mold development;
• Unpleasant odors begin to appear;
• The residents' health is deteriorating.

These problems are solved by the simple installation of an inlet structure. The main feature of this solution is ventilation of the living space without significant heat loss. Thanks to small holes, carbon dioxide and moisture leave the room, improving air circulation. Maintaining a good microclimate in the office or at home will become much easier, which will stop the development of diseases and mold.

The efficiency of plastic windows is not lost; they still work 100% and do not allow heat to escape even in winter. At the same time, the air becomes cleaner and fresher.

To ensure that the product is not useless, it is important to consider a number of features when installing it. This is the only way to achieve better results:

• The hood must work correctly;
• Outdoor temperature should be no higher than 5 degrees;
• Natural air exchange between rooms is mandatory. To achieve this, you need to open the doors in the room or buy products with a gap of 1 cm between the floor and the lower edge of the structure;
• Ensuring a tight seal at the entrance door.

Choosing the right valve

When deciding to buy a supply valve in Moscow, consider several parameters at once:

• The material of manufacture can be plastic or aluminum. It is worth choosing it based on the appearance of the window, for example, for PVC structures a plastic option will look organic, and for aluminum ones - aluminum painted in the color of the frames, although it is ideal for PVC and wooden windows.
• Type of installation - it can be mortise into the frame, or overhead on top of the window frame, while such an overhead reduces the height of the window frame. There is also a valve that is installed in a double-glazed window; a new one is needed; the old one will not be suitable.
• Type of adjustment - the manual version is much cheaper and more familiar, but the automatic one is simpler and more convenient to use. The cheapest ones come without adjustment at all, therefore, in strong winds they may not function and will blow heavily.
• Size – there are models that are simply invisible, while others stand out. Choose the one that suits you in your opinion.
• The presence of sound insulation will reduce the level of unwanted noise in the room.

It is believed that seam and slot models will be easy to install yourself.

know more

You have questions?

Write!

I'm in touch right now!

More about types

There are these types of valves:

• Seam - has a small capacity, is not good enough in terms of noise insulation of the room. To ensure optimal air flow, it is better to install 2 products per window. The undeniable advantages of this model include its affordable price, simple installation of such a valve, the installation of which does not require the dismantling of double-glazed windows and drilling of window frames.
• Mortise - when holes are milled in a window product to the street and a cover is installed from the streets, and inside the mechanism itself with a filter to control the inflow, this is the best option, for sufficient air flow, you can put one on a window with a width of no more than 1500mm
• Slot cover - with dimensions from 60mm in height and width over the entire length of the frame. This is made in the form of a solid block, and is installed when installing the window, included in the design of the window opening and the window configuration. It has decent throughput. The excellent thermal and sound insulation properties of the window will be preserved, the throughput is 4 times greater than that of rebated windows, in this option I recommend the VILPE ​​RENSON INVISIVENT valve; it will ideally solve the problem.
• Slotted mortise valve - this valve is installed in the area of ​​the double-glazed window itself, while the old double-glazed window is removed and a shortened version is installed in its place so that the valve fits in the sash area. Ideally, such a valve should be stopped in production so that the double-glazed window can be manufactured in advance, and in this case there will be no additional costs. The ideal valve in this case I recommend VILPE ​​RENSON AR 75

As for the type of control, it can be:

• Manual – often present in cheap models, it provides for mechanical adjustment of the valve to the desired operating mode using a part located on the body. The adjustment does not take into account the microclimate in the room.
• Automatic - in this case, the adjustment is performed by a mechanism built into the device, which connects to the smart home. Everything is controlled using a sensor inside the room - which will determine the level of humidity in the room and accordingly control the intensity of the incoming air flow.

On budget valve options, the regulators are equipped with handles to indicate whether the valve is open or closed, and the valve shutter indicates the position of which indicates the direction of the air:

Types of models

Today, hundreds of models are sold, produced by various brands. You can find both a cheap option and an expensive one. The main difference lies in three criteria:

• Material of manufacture. There are plastic, metal and wood structures.
• How is air regulation carried out: mechanically or automatically. In the first option, a person must control the flow independently using a special curtain. This method is more difficult to implement, since you have to constantly adjust the opening level to achieve comfortable conditions. Automatic models are simple, you just need to install them and that’s it, the rest is under the product’s own control.
• The method of flow entering the apartment or office.

The last point is the most important, since the effectiveness and quality of the product depends on it. So there are three types of structures according to the method of entry:

• Folded ones are a cheap option that is suitable for one-room apartments. The capacity is small, but sound insulation is maintained. The cold flow penetrates through a special hole that is cut in the frame. Installation of the product takes a minimum of time and does not require intervention in the main structure of the window product.
• Slotted - these models are widely used. Ventilation of the room is carried out due to the movement of air flow in a special valve. The product is equipped with an air intake and a control element. To install this option, it is not necessary to dismantle the window. The advantage is high throughput. Disadvantage: sound insulation is reduced.
• Invoices – products of this type are common in industrial premises. The advantage of the models is excellent ventilation of the room. Disadvantages - the thermal insulation properties are reduced; the window is completely removed for installation.

What to consider when choosing?

When deciding to purchase a ventilation valve, consider:

• Not all valves can be installed on an existing window, this needs to be diagnosed from a photograph or a paid visit by a technologist can be arranged; in Moscow it costs 2000 rubles, which are then taken into account in the cost of work and materials
• The capacity of the supply valve is a kind of device performance. It is affected by flow area and pressure. Numerical indicators do not always reflect real performance, since they may not take pressure into account at all. It is believed that a device with a throughput capacity of 20-35 cubic meters per hour at 10 Pa will become the norm.
• Sound insulation properties - it is believed that for comfortable use of windows, this figure should not be less than 30-35 dB. Some manufacturers offer windows with the highest noise-proof properties, then the valves must meet these parameters.
• The operating internal temperature and humidity conditions are an important parameter that will prevent the valve from icing up indoors in winter. To avoid this, a thermal break is created, that is, air must flow from the radiator to the valve area.
• Type and ease of adjustment - if it is important for you to control the level of incoming air, choose an option with an adjustment function.

To prevent unwanted dust and dirt, as well as insects, from entering the room, manufacturers equip some models with filters.

Let's compare ventilation options

• A mortise climate control valve for a window will be relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to use and install. Their operation is silent, but they are not able to maintain the original sound insulation parameters of the structure. For maintenance, regular cleaning is sufficient - once every 6 months. Do not wash them with chemicals.
• The valve on the window from above will work properly, but its peculiarity is that you need to install it on the window during installation and design it in advance so that the window is made to the appropriate size, and it has good sound insulation, and is high in cost.
• Wall inlet valve - this option requires installation using a special tool that makes a hole in the wall. In some options, filters are installed that clean the incoming air. Inexpensive and difficult to install.
• A breather is a powerful electrical device that includes a climate control, air supply and air purification system. The throughput is decent - up to 150 cubic meters per hour, and the noise level is very low - 19 dB. Some models may have an air heating function. This option cannot be installed by yourself; a specialist with experience must work here. The cost is high.
• A recuperator is an electric unit, which has in its design a fan for air inflow and outflow from the room, with heating and filtration. Decent productivity of more than 120 cubic meters/hour. and this option requires careful consideration of the possibility of installing equipment. The cost is high for the equipment itself and the work performed.

If you live far away from a highway or an industrial zone, and there are no more than 2 people in the room, you can opt for a classic valve, but if you are near a noisy road, then you need to think about more serious equipment.

Prices

A budget Breezer, designed for 32 m2 , costs 21,000 rubles . Model with a capacity of up to 140 m3/hour – 43,000 rub.

A supply wall valve will cost much less - the cost ranges from 1000 rubles. for a simple device, up to 8500 rub. for a model with a turbine and a high-quality filtration system.

The cost of a valve mounted on a window without milling is from 350 rubles. Overhead modifications that require complex installation - up to 4,500 rubles.

How to install a window valve yourself?

In order to install a valve, you first need to purchase it, and you can install the simplest one, the one that is installed without milling or disassembling the window structure, such a valve can be purchased at any store, and its price starts from 750 rubles

So, you will need a stepladder, a knife (preferably a stationery knife), a screwdriver or a screwdriver. You will need to remove part of the seal at the bottom of the opening sash, 100mm high, to allow air to flow through it into the sash area. And also cut out at the top under the valve itself and then follow the instructions. Devices are often equipped with valves, seals, fasteners - everything necessary for proper installation.

Let's get started:

• The elastic must be cut to the shape of the valve on both sides.
• Install the valve in place of the seal cutout
• Secure the valve using self-tapping screws.
• And the valve is ready for use

Using a thinner seal allows you to create natural air circulation, and regulate the flow intensity with a special handle. If there is a lot of blowing from the valve, then you can correct the situation in this way: in the area of ​​the cutout of the seal, insert it back, but of a smaller size, and thus the inflow will be less.

Installation process

If it is not possible to contact professional installers, you can install the valve yourself by following the following algorithm :

• Window frame markings.
• Cutting a slot of the required length and thickness.
• Cleaning the edges of the profile after cutting.
• Checking air flow through the gap.
• Blowing the internal space of the profile from plastic particles after operation of the cutting tool.
• Installing the deflector from the outside.
• Installation of internal overhead valve.
• If necessary, run the cable along the slope.
• Checking the functionality of the device by adjusting the inflow force.

If the valve is installed correctly, air flow begins within the first minutes after the start of operation.

How to install if you need to do milling?

In some cases, installation requires milling. The valve should be located at the top of the frame, the sash must be dismantled, first removing it from its hinges. It is better to do this work in the warm season, cutting the hole carefully with a power tool, eliminating the possibility of damage to the seal. You will need 10 and 5 mm drills, silicone-based sealant, a jigsaw, and a template that will allow you to correctly mark the installation location.

• Mark the place.
• Drill a hole at the same level, connecting with a jigsaw in one plane. The resulting chambers should be filled with silicone sealant.
• Also seal the outer strip, attach it to the sash and connect it with self-tapping screws.
• Install the inner part.
• Check the strength of the fasteners.
• Install the canopy, securing it with self-tapping screws, and seal the joints with sealant.
• Place the sash in its original place and set the operating mode.

If problems arise after installation, it is likely that the ventilation system will need to be improved. The valve cannot solve the problem if there is a problem with ventilation, it will only help freshen the air and make the microclimate comfortable, provided that everything works perfectly.

It is better to entrust such work to professionals, the valve is not expensive, but a damaged window may cost rework and replacement with a new one, it is better not to risk it.

To get detailed advice on air flow, installation of valves, and working ventilation, you just need to leave your phone number in the callback request form on the website, or contact me in a way convenient for you: through social networks, WhatsApp, by phone number or by writing to [ email protected]