Brick vents are louver assemblies designed for masonry. What makes them unique? Why use brick vents? Read this quick Condenser article for the answer.
What are brick vents? Brick vents are louvers for masonry walls. Brick walls have openings for ventilation, which lead to ductwork or to an interior space. Like other ventilation points, these openings will need protection from the elements.
Brick vents have the same angled blades as a louver. Angled blades deflect incoming raindrops as they reach the face of the vent. These blades are typically straight and featureless in design. They aren’t designed or tested for severe weather, but they will keep your openings dry during rain.
Bricks are porous. Excess water spreads through the pores of the masonry to other parts of the wall. This will damage the masonry and compromise the structural integrity of the wall.
Unchecked water damage leads to mold at the intake point of your HVAC system. This will ruin the indoor air quality of your building.
Brick vents have a unique design. The vent’s frame will have a depth of around four inches deep, like a standard louver frame. Compared to the full vent frame, the vent itself is roughly two inches deep, or about half the depth of the frame.
They are specifically designed for masonry. The vent frame has the necessary depth for a brick wall or similar masonry opening. The “ribs” along the frame help anchor the vent to the masonry substrate. This design ensures adequate clearance and a tight hold between the brick vent and the wall.
Brick vents have straight blades, which provide a basic level of weather protection. Each vent will also have an angled sill that directs drainage out of its face, much like a traditional louver.
They may also have a built-in drain pan to prevent excess drainage from spilling into the opening. These features prevent rainwater from entering and reduce contact with moisture.
If you have ventilation openings in your brick walls, then you will need brick vents to protect the masonry from water damage. Safeguard your brick walls with the right product.
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