Ventilation grates - types, material and how to choose

09-09-2018
Ventilation

If you have a thought that the ventilation grilles are needed only for decoration, it is erroneous. These elements play an important role in determining the direction of the air flow, its intensity, comfort of living and the efficiency of the ventilation system. The grille is also an important element of the fire protection system; therefore, when installing it, it is necessary to take into account the norms and requirements of fire safety.

In the photo - various types of ventilation grilles

Today, our goal is to help you learn how to properly select the ventilation grille for your ventilation system from the many on the market. You will learn their features and installation rules.

Kinds

The various options offered by manufacturers can be easily divided into three categories, depending on their location:

Outdoor
  1. Install from the street side of the house.
  2. Used to cover air ducts from falling into them of precipitation, foliage, birds and small rodents (models with a grid).
  3. They are produced most often from aluminum alloys.
  4. The blinds which are established under a necessary corner can be equipped.
  5. There are models that are protected from icing heating function.
  6. The instruction recommends that the outdoor ventilation grilles be fixed to powerful bolts and dowels.
Internal
  1. Mounted indoors.
  2. They are made of wood or plastic, as they are not exposed to the effects of weather, as well as the raids of rodents.
  3. The main selection criterion is ease of installation and design corresponding to the interior.
  4. May have adjustable louvers that are used to direct the air and adjust the intensity of the flow.
  5. There are models in which the central part is removed to facilitate the cleaning of the duct.

This category also includes convection gratings used for ventilation and air conditioning.

  1. They are distinguished by a small distance between the plates, which turns it into an interesting object of interior design.
  2. The profile is usually made of aluminum, the slats are fixed at a fixed angle of 45 ?.
  3. The grid is almost not used.
  4. Exclusive ventilation grids, made to order with the help of laser cutting, have become widespread. Make them from wood or a thin metal plate.
Downstream
  1. Necessary for the free movement of air masses from one room to another.
  2. Install in the lower part of the wall or doors.
  3. Usually the profile is plastic.
  4. To preserve the sound insulation of the premises they are installed with blinds that overlap each other.
  5. Properly selected re-vent vent provides insulation of the premises without disturbing the movement of air.
  6. The manufacture of this type of products is simple work, so their price is affordable.
Inertia grilles for supply and exhaust ventilation systems

Material

For the manufacture of ventilation grates used:

  • plastic;
  • aluminum;
  • steel;
  • tree.

Installation

Let's take a closer look at where you can install what:

  1. Wood can be installed only in rooms with normal humidity. Their cost is quite expensive, besides the products require special treatment with antiseptics, otherwise they lose their decorative effect.
Round wood products for baths

Typically, such a lattice set in saunas, pre-selected for air flow. Decorative ventilation grilles are made to order from valuable breeds, and the drawing is selected by the designer.

These products are made embedded or overhead, they are fastened with their own hands with bolts with decorative caps or screws.

Plastic ventilation grille with non-return valve
  1. Plastic ventilation grilles are much cheaper and resistant to high humidity, chemicals and temperatures, they do not warp or rust.. The size range is from 150x150 mm to 300x300 mm, the shape is rectangular, square and round.

Manufacturers equip products with a fine mesh, which prevents large dust and insects from entering the room. The grille is attached either to the mounting frame or by self-tapping screws through the holes in the housing.

Their color is usually white, but there are models and "under the tree", as well as different shades. The disadvantage is that it turns yellow or fades over time, and also becomes scratched.

  1. Aluminum are more expensive than plastic. Products are durable, have low weight, resistant to corrosion and endure the impact of external factors. They have proven their practicality, so in modern construction they are in great demand.
Aluminum slotted air grids

The optimal size is 150 mm x 150 mm. For large ducts we recommend the use of steel products. In addition, increased strength will be required when using powerful air installations that are able to bend aluminum plates of standard gratings.

Tip: if necessary, use extra strong products with a profile shaped like the Latin letter S, which are comparable in rigidity to steel frames.

Under production conditions, they are painted in the powder method.

  1. Steel ventilation grilles are much higher than aluminum in terms of cost, they are also heavier, but stronger.. Often they are made to individual orders, and the welding of blinds is carried out manually.

Tip: for the installation of steel ventilation grilles prepare fasteners of special strength.

Metal square grilles

We select the lattice for ventilation

Usually the basic parameters should be specified in the project to the ventilation system. Most often, the selection is carried out using nomograms. The main parameters in the design of large systems are the flow rate and air flow rate. Ventilation grids with a regulator, usually aluminum, are made to order.

In addition to the technical requirements for air distributors there are aesthetic.

Below we briefly describe the criteria for selecting the ventilation grille:

  • installation site (outside the building, inside) and installation features (what fastenings are needed);
  • where in the room it will be installed - on the wall, ceiling, door or floor;
  • the size of the air channel or hole that needs to be covered;
  • aerodynamic and noise characteristics of the product;
  • waybill or built-in installation method;
  • whether adjustment of position of blinds is required;
  • the need to install a fine mesh;
  • ease of operation and maintenance;
  • Colour.

Tip: when choosing adjustable ventilation grilles should be taken into account air flow.

What to look for when choosing

In a country house to 200 m2 or in the apartment the owner himself can choose the right air distributor. If it is necessary to provide large-scale industrial facilities with air exchange, only specialists should deal with this.

Conclusion

In the ventilation system there are no unnecessary elements that do not carry a certain load. Therefore, when choosing ventilation grills, you should be guided by the rules and requirements, including fire safety.

The video in this article will help you find additional information on this topic.

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