High-quality air exchange is one of the conditions for creating and maintaining a comfortable and healthy environment in living quarters. Circulation is created by arranging supply and exhaust ducts with different levels of atmospheric pressure. Installation of the ventilation grill is carried out at the final stage of the arrangement of the system. The products perform a practical and decorative function after being installed on the air inlets and outlets. Not all property owners pay due attention to these details, considering it a useless subject for closing holes in the walls. Meanwhile, the installation of ventilation grilles is a simple, but responsible event that requires a competent approach.
The meaning and role of the ventilation grill
High-quality air exchange is achieved by competent design and adherence to the installation rules for each element of the ventilation system. Even if one of them does not work correctly, the circulation will be disrupted, and may even stop altogether.
Installation of a ventilation grill provides a solution to the following tasks:
- The passage of air masses in the volume that is necessary to remove the pollutants and vapors suspended in them, formed during the breathing of living beings, cooking, taking water procedures and establishing internal order.
- Delivering a fresh, oxygenated atmosphere to the premises. This is an important factor for maintaining the proper level of immunity, preventing ill health, fatigue and diseases.
- Removal of gas in the event of leaks and fumes from fires and fires.
- Creation of a barrier to the penetration of dust, debris, insects and small animals into the housing.
- Masking holes in the inner and outer walls through which the inflow and outflow of air masses is carried out. If you choose and install the ventilation grill correctly, it will be an excellent addition to the interior of the room.
With their small dimensions, the products play an important role in ensuring a pleasant and healthy microclimate in the living and auxiliary rooms of a private or apartment building.
Varieties and characteristics
Thanks to the development of modern design and production technologies, the market is saturated with products of a wide variety of formats, colors, sizes and design features.
Products are classified into the following categories:
- Shape, size, color. Depending on the style and interior of the room, a square, oval, circle, regular or elongated rectangle is chosen. Dimensions start from 10 cm and can reach 100 cm side or diameter. Along with the standard white color, manufacturers are ready to interest consumers in black, brown, green and yellow products. There are models with original patterns and ornaments.
- Material. The most common is plastic, which is lightweight and affordable. Low strength and UV degradation limit their use outside the room. Wood products are valued for their environmental friendliness and presentable appearance. They put wooden lattices in living rooms in a conspicuous place. Metal grilles (iron, aluminum) are durable and durable. Most often, their installation is carried out on external walls, where mechanical loads, moisture and ultraviolet light affect the products.
- Design. Regulated and unregulated models are on sale. For models of the first type, you can change the angle of the blinds and the clearance using a movable flap. To adjust the volume of the passed air, some types of grilles are equipped with movable flaps, which are controlled by handles or cables. The second type consists of fixed parts. The presence of a check valve makes it possible to shut off the air flow from the ventilation shaft when the direction of the draft changes.
- Place of installation. Products differ in their location relative to the street. Exterior models are mounted on walls and plinths to keep out debris, insects and animals from the air inlets. Facade grilles are made of metal and are designed for mechanical loads. Internal grilles serve to mask inlets and outlets in external walls and partitions. Sometimes used in conjunction with a fan. Transfer models are designed to ensure air circulation between rooms without the use of electrical appliances. Doors of kitchens, toilets and bathrooms are also equipped with products.
The grill can be placed on a wall, floor or ceiling if ventilation ducts run behind the slabs.
The most common models
Before buying and hanging a lattice, you should decide on its purpose, the ability to independently install and maintain in the future. If it is necessary to close the through hole between rooms, a budgetary plastic product of an unregulated type is sufficient. When the grille is required to be fixed to the outer panel of a multi-storey building, you should pay attention to durable steel products with a check valve and heating. In some cases, it may be necessary to install a flexible or collapsible channel.
To arrange ventilation in an apartment or house, you can choose models of this type:
- Rectangular supply and exhaust. Designed to ensure high-quality air exchange by organizing channels and openings connecting the street, rooms and vertical ventilation shafts. They are used as a filtration device and as a decorative element. Made of wood and plastic, they have removable frames with mosquito nets. You can fasten the products with screws and glue.
- Exhaust. They serve to mask openings through which exhaust air is forced or naturally removed. Made of UV resistant plastic. The products located at the lower levels are made of metal and screwed with self-tapping screws with non-standard notches for the slots. Fixation is carried out on self-tapping screws and plastic dowels. The grilles are equipped with pivoting louvers and valves for blocking backdrafts.
- Ventilation grilles for connecting the kitchen hood with a flexible air duct. They are used in combination with a mechanical exhaust device designed to remove heat, smoke, vapors and moisture from the hob. The products are fixed to the wall or suspended ceiling, above which the exhaust duct is mounted. The design is equipped with a non-return valve and provides for the removal of the mesh for cleaning from deposits. Installation is a cut-in grille with a damper in the middle or end of the duct leading to an external wall or vertical shaft.
- Rectangular shape. Designed for indoor use. Installed in doors, window sills, radiator screens. They serve for uniform and rational distribution of clean air throughout the premises and for the removal of waste masses. The estimate for the arrangement of the apartment can be impressive, but the investments are worth it.
- Metallic. The scope extends to the arrangement of ventilation systems for multi-storey buildings, public and industrial buildings, decoration of the outlets of heating and circulation channels.It is necessary to fasten the ventilation grill with strong hardware that is resistant to corrosion and mechanical stress. To improve its appearance, the metal can be painted with polymer paints.
When arranging one building, lattices of all types and sizes can be used.
Basic installation methods
The installation location and orientation of the grille depends on its purpose and level of location.
The first thing to decide with is the direction of the blinds. They perform more of a camouflage than a directing function. Based on this, it is better to place the products so that the grill panels cover the mesh. If it is under the ceiling, you need to put the blinds up. And vice versa - to put the ventilation grill on the floor should be blinds down.
It is advisable to hang models of large size and weight on strong and long self-tapping screws that can withstand heavy loads. If the gratings are attached to the tile, it is better not to spoil it with unnecessary holes, but to glue it onto a transparent or colored solution.
