Distribution of ventilation grilles for air intake

In mechanical ventilation systems, we have grilles to allow air intake. In some cases, it is a connection from the outside to the inside, so that air can access rooms naturally, but we also find double flow systems in which outside air is forced through ventilation ducts and enters enclosed spaces through grilles. Since the location where air enters the interiors is very important, we must carefully calculate the distribution of ventilation grilles.

What is the main function of ventilation grilles? Above all, they serve as protection against impacts or potential access to the ventilation openings or ducts. But beyond that utility, their design is essential for achieving a better distribution of air indoors, or in other cases the admission of air. Still, they should not neglect design and be attractive to enhance these functionalities.

A good ventilation grille is one that can achieve the functionalities previously described as well as the secondary ones it has, such as:

• Achieving the lowest possible pressure drops.
• Distributing air evenly among the different areas of each room.
• Minimizing noise produced by fans or even by air passing through the grilles.
• Eliminating vibrations as much as possible.
• They should be easy to clean, and their maintenance should be minimal.

To achieve the best distribution of ventilation grilles in the home, we must find homogeneous locations to avoid areas without ventilation. In this way, we must first consider the design of the slats so that air is distributed at a good speed.

The ventilation grilles should always be selected based on the type of room where they will be installed. For example:

1. If it is a rectangular room and the opening where the grille will be installed is on one of the shorter walls, the grille should have an aerodynamic profile so that air flows quickly and is distributed from end to end of the room.
2. In the case of small rooms, it is necessary to put a slat profile in the grille that dampens the entry of air and eliminates noise.

We could say that if we have a distribution of ventilation grilles that opts for aerodynamic profiles, we will suffer much more from the disturbances caused by noise and also by air vibrations on the slats. Velocity and flow, two aspects that are very necessary in large elongated rooms, would negatively affect us in other situations.

That is why, first of all, it is essential to study the type of rooms and choose the placement and type of grilles based on that.

The ventilation grilles are always the last thing installed in a mechanical ventilation solution, so we then have to decide on the necessary design that this essential element will have. Fortunately, we can make them attractive and blend well with the environment, as there are different shapes, finishes, profiles, materials, and colors. Normally, they are usually made of plastic or aluminum, with the metallic option being the most common.

The distribution of ventilation grilles according to the type of ventilation system

We can choose between one type or another of grilles, but what will most define our distribution of ventilation grilles in our homes will be the type of mechanical ventilation system we use and its configuration. The total number of grilles will be completely linked to this.

If it is a single flow ventilation system, extraction will be done through ducts and admission by air infiltration, which will pass through the ventilation grilles. Extraction grilles will be placed in bathrooms and kitchens, which are usually round-shaped. Above bedroom and living room windows, admission grilles will normally be placed, and in some cases, there may be others in doors to communicate between rooms.

If we have a mechanical double flow ventilation system, we will have grilles in the walls for air entry. They can be low-profile models with multiple finishes, and they tend to have an aerodynamic character to move air uniformly across the rooms. Depending on the size of the rooms, sometimes two or more grilles will need to be placed. The extraction, on the other hand, does not require aerodynamics.

To make our mechanical ventilation system more efficient, whether single flow or double, it is essential to have a good distribution of ventilation grilles in all the rooms of our homes.