Ventilation box - description, dimensions, types, characteristics, restoration

External and internal characteristics

The ventilation box is relevant for such premises as production rooms, kitchens, and less often bathrooms. Here it helps to remove uncomfortable air for a person into the ventilation shaft or outside before it is dispersed throughout the room.

The dimensions of the duct make it a noticeable design element, which is why manufacturers pay considerable attention to its appearance; with proper care, it looks at least neat. Many models add elegance to the interior.

The main parameter of the ventilation duct is the throughput. Its calculation for a person without a specialized education has a rather complex formula, there are many tables reflecting the air discharge depending on the dimensions of the structure.

The basic pattern is simple: corners and irregularities create obstacles to air movement, the more of them, the lower the throughput. To remove the same volume of air, in this case, a larger cross-section or more powerful equipment is required.

The inner surface, like the outer, can be smooth or corrugated. Smooth boxes are more hygienic, easier to clean, but require experience to install.

What can be a box for ventilation

There is a wide variety of boxes on the market. Many companies offer to customize them. The design is simple, if you wish, you can make it yourself.

Popular and non-standard sizes of ventilation ducts for rooms

You can find on sale or order a box of any size, but the need to connect it with elements other designs (cooker hood, ventilation shaft) makes it reasonable to use standard sizes.

For flat channels, the popular sizes are 204x60 mm, 110x55 mm, the dimensions of 120x60 mm are used somewhat less often. To increase air discharge, manufacturers offer channels 220x90 mm.

Round boxes are most often produced with a diameter of 100, 125, 150, and also 200 mm.

On sale you can find more rare air ducts. Many firms are engaged in production according to individual customer sizes.

Important! When buying or ordering a box for rare or non-standard sizes, take care of transition and connecting elements necessary for the formation of corners by parts of the structure, attachment to the hood and ventilation hole.

Classification of the ventilation box by other parameters (material and shape)

The most common materials are metal and plastic. The choice depends on the operating conditions, sometimes on personal preference.

Metal are made of stainless or galvanized steel. They:

• durable;
• hygienic, they are relatively easy to keep clean;
• easy to install;
• are much more expensive than plastic.

Plastic have their own characteristics:

• lungs;
• cheap;
• do not rust;
• susceptible to contamination by bacteria and fungi.

You can independently make a ventilation box from any available material, provided that the tightness is ensured.

The boxes are usually rectangular (flat), round or square in shape. Other shapes can be made to order, for example, triangular or pentagonal.

Than special flat ventilation box

Flat systems are used for a rational, aesthetic organization of space. They can be combined with furniture, walls, removed behind a suspended or suspended ceiling.

The disadvantages include:

• reduced thrust due to the presence of corners, as a result, a larger section or more powerful exhaust equipment is required;
• increased noise level.

Restoration of an obsolete ventilation duct using modern tools and materials

Restoration is required, as a rule, for a box that provides general ventilation in the house. There are different reasons for recovery, the most common are:

• previous illegal redevelopment;
• violation of air exchange, characteristic of old rooms.

From the tool you may need:

• level;
• roulette;
• circular or conventional saw;
• hammer;
• screwdriver;
• container for solution;
• trowel (trowel).

Different materials may be required:

• pipes;
• building blocks;
• brick;
• mortar for masonry;
• drywall;
• Fiberboard, chipboard;
• metallic profile;
• screws.

We restore the box:

• clear the ventilation ducts, for this you will have to remove the floor and ceiling covering in the place where the air ducts pass;
• study the section;
• choose the right materials;

Important! When choosing materials, one must be guided by the cross-section of the airways, as well as the principle of tightness. The design options can be different: pipes or corrugations lined with lightweight material (chipboard, gypsum board); a mine made of durable materials (aerated concrete, brick, etc.). Regardless of the materials chosen, it is important to ensure that the air path is sealed. For a construction using pipes, bends will be required to ventilate your apartment.

• build a structure from the selected materials according to the level;
• provide a hole in the ventilation shaft for air exchange in your apartment.

After erecting the box, let it dry. After that, you can proceed to its design and decoration.

Installation of ventilation ducts

Correct preparation is essential for installation:

• the bandwidth is calculated;
• the desired section is selected;
• suitable connecting and transition elements are selected;
• parts of the installation are marked and, if necessary, cut.

The prepared elements are assembled into a single system, attached on one side to the hole in the wall, on the other side - probably to the hood.

Particular attention must be paid to sealing at the joints. Use of rubber gaskets and / or sealant is mandatory.

How is the protection of the ventilation box against ignition carried out?

The most common and affordable methods of fire protection:

• covering the surface of the box with non-flammable paints or mastics;
• wrapping the structure with non-flammable materials.

Among the modern methods are:

• fire sensors that block the flow of air to the fire site;
• fire extinguishing systems supplying limestone to the fire site;
• spark arresters.

Such protective equipment is quite expensive, most of them are designed for large-sized ventilation systems. They are used in industrial premises.

Noise insulation methods for ventilation ducts

Working ventilation often generates noise caused by inaccuracies in installation or materials.

You can reduce the noise level with:

• mineral wool;
• fiberglass;
• rubber plates;
• porous materials;
• organic fiber.

Do-it-yourself soundproofing

The ventilation box is covered in several layers with the selected sound absorption material. All layers must be thoroughly cleaned, after which they are well fixed with an adhesive base or adhesive tape. If there is a reflective layer on the insulating materials, it should point outward. Fastening the material with an overlap significantly increases the effectiveness of the insulation.

The resulting structure is often sheathed with decorative plates attached to a metal profile.

Conclusion

The ventilation box is a fairly simple design. Installation, repair and maintenance works require low qualifications. Specialists perform work quickly and at a high level. However, if you have an elementary idea of ​​repair, time and desire, you can do everything yourself.