The Secret Behind Those Vents in Your Home
(Photo by Kirsten Drew, at Unsplash)
Have you ever noticed the air vents that can be found near the ground in the front and rear of period properties? If you have attempted to locate them internally, the likelihood is that you were not able to and hence if not to ventilate your rooms, what are those for? What is the Secret Behind Those Vents in Your Home ?
Those vents are a sign that your ground floor is a suspended timber floor and they play a crucial role in maintaining it in good nick.
Suspended Timber Floors:
In many UK homes, the ground floor floorboards rest on wooden joists, with a void underneath. This is a construction detail responds to a variety of reasons that include but are not limited to moisture management, affordability and availability of materials or ease of maintenance.
The Importance of Air Vents:
Where timber suspended floors are used, cross ventilation of the void is essential to prevent moisture build-up and the air vents located in the lower part of external walls will allow fresh air to circulate throughout.
This simple strategy will help prevents moisture accumulation that could can lead to timber decay and costly repairs, but also creates a healthy environment for your timber floor.
Maintaining cross Ventilation:
Because of the above, and regardless of their look, it vital to ensure the vents remain clear of obstructions and in good working order. By blocking the vents you will trap moisture, increasing the risk of rot.
Clearing your air vents is a simple and effective way to maintain your timber floor in a good condition.
Draughty and Cold Floors:
While ventilation is essential, it can also contribute to draughts and energy loss. Should you be seeking to improve the thermal performance of your floor, insulation can be installed between the floor joists (under the floor boards) to create a warmer and more comfortable floor without the need to cover your timber floors with carpet.
This said, remember to maintain the cross ventilation below the insulation level to prevent moisture issues building up in the insulation itself.
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