What is micro-ventilation in windows?

Micro-ventilation is also called the night vent position. It is a technical solution that allows a window to be opened slightly by introducing an additional position of the window sash, which is locked by the hardware. The sashes of windows fitted with micro-ventilation can be in four positions: closed, open, tilted or minimally tilted (set ajar). In this last position air enters the interior of the house through a small gap created when the seal is released and the window sash moves slightly away from the frame.

Why was micro-ventilation introduced in windows?

In the past windows were not completely airtight. Air entered the interiors of houses continuously through small gaps. Modern windows, however, are very airtight. On the one hand we owe to this their excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, on the other hand, when they are closed, no fresh air enters the interiors of houses. It is precisely for this reason that the condensation of water vapour can be observed in rooms – the inner side of the windows is then misted over.

Such high airtightness means that rooms lack fresh air. They are therefore exposed to damp, and in extreme situations mould may develop. A minimum flow of air is essential for the household to stay healthy and to function comfortably. Micro-ventilation provides them with proper working hygiene, high quality of sleep and rest, and excess moisture is removed from the interiors, so that the risk of mould developing is eliminated. Thanks to micro-ventilation, toxins from the carbon dioxide exhaled by the household are also removed from the interiors. Proper ventilation of rooms and ensuring adequate air circulation are necessary so that the household do not suffer from recurring headaches, drops in mood or reduced concentration.

How does micro-ventilation differ from trickle vents?

Trickle vents are another way to provide interiors with proper air circulation. They are devices mounted in the upper part of the window frame. They allow a continuous exchange of air without the need to open the window. The most popular are humidity-controlled vents (they respond to changes in humidity in rooms) and pressure-controlled ones (they respond to the difference in pressure inside and outside).

Micro-ventilation is an alternative to trickle vents. It works excellently, for example, in old tenement houses. It allows air to be exchanged. It is one of the functions of the hardware, which provides temporary, manually controlled opening of the windows a fraction without interfering with their construction. It is standard in timber windows from the Wiktorczyk company. The only case where it cannot be used is with WK2 security hardware. Nor is it recommended for use in passive house windows, where, for example, the house has heat recovery ventilation.

How does micro-ventilation work?

Micro-ventilation is a function of the hardware that releases the window sash a fraction. In this way it moves slightly away from the window frame. The moment a member of the household sets the window handle in the appropriate position (at an angle), the seal is released, the window sash moves slightly away from the window frame, and as a result a gap is created. Through it fresh air enters the interior, providing it with proper ventilation. Thanks to the micro-ventilation function, rooms are guaranteed proper air circulation, but they are not exposed to excessive cooling. Micro-ventilation can also be used safely in winter or autumn, because neither rain nor snow will get inside through the small gap created in the window.