Ventilation grilles: how to choose the right model and

The installation of a system for providing residential and industrial premises with fresh air is not complete without the installation of decorative elements, with the help of which air intake and exhaust ducts are drawn. It can be both designer ventilation grilles, and especially functional devices provided by building codes and regulations.

The instructions provided in this article will help you choose the right model and install it yourself.

Device Description

Purpose

The main task performed by the considered elements of the air exchange network is not masking the unsightly openings of the ventilation ducts, as many people think. First of all, we are talking about the effective distribution of air flow in the room.

In addition, some types, for example, ventilation grilles with curtains, prevent the spread of combustion and smoke products through the ventilation channels, which protects people in the room from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Species

At present, specialized shops selling components for the installation of ventilation systems have a huge selection of various ventilation grilles that can satisfy even the most fastidious customer. The price of a particular model depends on the material, size and design features.

There are many criteria for their classification, however, the method and place of their installation should be recognized as the main one.

On this basis are distinguished:

1. Outdoor. Installed on the facade of houses, apartments and commercial buildings. Used to prevent debris, rain, snow, insects, mice, birds, and so on from entering the intake and exhaust air ducts. Most often, a stainless steel ventilation grill is used for this purpose. It is resistant to corrosion, sunlight and other negative environmental factors. In addition, it looks spectacular on the facade.

Note! External grilles must be fitted with louvers and heated to prevent the formation of ice during the cold season.

1. Internal. As the name implies, are fixed inside buildings. Considering that they are influenced not by the example of fewer negative factors, here preference is given to products made from polymers. They are distinguished by their low weight, excellent appearance, low cost, a lot of colors and the ability to install their own hands without using any equipment.

Devices can also be equipped with control louvers or removable front to reduce or increase the intensity of the air flow.

1. Downstream. Necessary in order to organize the flow of air flow from one room to another. For example, from inlet valves located in living rooms and bedrooms to exhaust openings mounted in the kitchen, bathroom or pantry.

Depending on the possibility of changing the intensity and volume of air flow, the described devices are divided into three types:

1. Adjustable grilles for ventilation ducts. They are equipped with blinds that are controlled manually or with the help of automation. They allow in a matter of seconds to change the position of the individual lamellae, reducing the amount of intake or exhaust air, or changing the direction of its movement.

1. Unregulated models. They are simply a decorative element covering the hole in the wall. Such varieties, for example, include gypsum ventilation grilles, organically complementing the interior, but not carrying additional functional load.
2. Ventilation inertia grilles. They have special curtains that close the ventchannel opening immediately after the air flow stops through it.

Note! In addition to ready-made models, in the building supermarkets you can find a profile for ventilation grilles, which allows you to design the product of the desired shape and size. But for this you need to have some skills in plumbing.

Special lattice designs

Concluding the story about the types of lattices, it is useful to note a few more of their models:

1. Ventilation grille with flange. Used to connect a kitchen hood to an air shaft hole using a flexible air channel.
2. Ventilation grille for countertops. It is mounted on the surface of the kitchen unit, in the window-sills and decorative screens covering the heating radiators. Allows free air to circulate through obstacles.

Ways to secure ventilation grilles

Installation of ventilation equipment, which includes fans, air ducts, heat exchangers, filters, air conditioners, etc., should only be carried out by specially trained people with the necessary experience and tools. However, the usual grille covering the opening of the air exchange system in the wall can also be fixed by yourself.

First of all, it should be noted that the majority of modern lattices consist of several components:

• the base, which is firmly mounted on the cut of the ventilation grill and fixed there with glue, self-tapping screws or otherwise described below;
• filter (mesh) that prevents the penetration into the room of dust, insects and rodents, which can live in public ventilation ducts;
• central removable part.

Tip! For those who are interested in how to clean the ventilation grill, dismantled from the base, it is advisable to use ordinary household detergents that are in each kitchen.

Depending on the design of the part you purchased, there are several ways to install it.

1. Self-tapping screws with hidden heads. The most common method, which, however, requires the use of a drill or perforator. Self-tapping screws are easily screwed into the dowels inserted into the plaster, plasterboard surface or concrete monolith.

So that the caps do not spoil the elegant look of the grille, they can be painted over later, glued or puttied.

1. Window bead or skirting. Refers to outdated mounting methods. Used in cases where beadings serve as an additional design element.
2. Corners or special brackets.

In this case, the installation consists of two stages:

• special corners are fixed along the perimeter of the hole (they are screwed to the wall with self-tapping screws with countersunk heads or small anchor bolts);
• the grille is inserted into the prepared brackets.

The advantages of this method in the possibility of quick dismantling of the lattice in order to clean it.

1. Special sealant. Also a very common way. For fixing can be applied any of the existing construction adhesives: Moment, Worn, Budomex and so on.

Ensure that the surface to which the adhesive is applied is completely dry. It is also necessary to check the absence of holes between the ventilation grille and the wall, otherwise insects or dust can enter the room through them.

1. Expansion elements. If the grille has special brackets, which are part of its design, installation is not difficult. You just need to insert the part into the hole and tighten the specially designed bolts that will set the spacers into working position.

Conclusion

By the models listed in this article, the choice of decorative protective panels for air vents is not exhausted. There are, for example, ventilation grilles for the fireplace, stove, and so on.

You can learn more about this topic from the video in this article.