When discussing air inlets, attention usually focuses on the visible product installed on the window. However, a much more discreet element plays an essential role in the system’s performance: the slot.
This opening, made on the joinery or roller shutter box, allows for the correct integration of the air inlet and ensures air passage under the conditions specified during certification tests. Even if it becomes almost invisible once installed, it remains essential for the proper functioning of the ventilation system, product compliance, and the overall quality of the installation.
An incorrectly sized cut can indeed have a direct impact on airflow, acoustic performance, airtightness, or even the finish quality of the installation.
What is a sloton an air inlet?
The slot corresponds to the opening made in the joinery to allow for the installation of the air inlet. It ensures air passage through the window and also allows the external hood to properly cover the opening to guarantee a clean and functional finish.
Behind this seemingly simple operation lies a crucial element for the product’s behavior.
Each air inlet is designed to operate with precise machining dimensions. These dimensions are not arbitrarily defined: they are validated during tests related to NF certification. Modifying the slot therefore means modifying the conditions under which the product was tested.
Why is a compliant slot so important?
A non-compliant slot can have direct consequences on several essential performances of the air inlet:
- Airflow
- Acoustic level
- Airtightness
- Finish quality
1. Ensuring proper airflow
The primary role of an air inlet is to ensure indoor air renewal.
To function correctly, the airflow must correspond to the values specified by the manufacturer and validated during NF tests. A slot that is too small can limit air passage and reduce the product’s aerodynamic performance. Conversely, an opening that is too large can alter the behavior of the air inlet and disrupt flow regulation.
Adhering to the recommended dimensions therefore ensures proper indoor air renewal and maintains the stated performance.
2. Preserving acoustic performance
The acoustic performance of air inlets is also directly linked to the machining dimensions.
As part of NF certification, acoustic tests are carried out with a precise installation and slot configuration. A non-compliant cut can create additional air passages or modify air circulation through the product.
Result: the expected acoustic attenuation may be reduced.
In dwellings located in urban environments or near noisy areas, this point is particularly important to ensure occupant comfort.
3. Maintaining good airtightness on the joinery
The slot also influences the overall airtightness of the window.
A poorly executed opening can generate:
- Parasitic air infiltrations,
- Energy performance losses,
- Waterproofing defects depending on the installation configuration.
A compliant slot allows the product to integrate correctly with the joinery and helps preserve the initial performance of the window.
4. Ensuring a clean and durable finish
Aesthetic appearance also matters on site.
When the slot dimensions are respected, the external hood perfectly covers the cut. The installation is then cleaner, more uniform, and more durable over time.
Conversely, an unsuitable cut can reveal visible defects and detract from the perceived quality of the installation.
ANJOS Air Inlet Slot Dimensions
At ANJOS, each of our NF certified air inlets has specific slot dimensions:
- Slot: 354 x 12 mm
- Slot: 354 x 12 mm
- or 250 x 12/15 mm depending on the models
- Slot: 250 x 12 mm
- or 172 x 12 mm depending on the versions
- Round notch of Ø 125 mm
These different formats allow us to meet installation constraints and joinery specificities, while maintaining the performance validated during certification tests.
In some cases, more compact slots even allow for reducing the size of the opening made in the window while maintaining the expected performance.
The right reflex on site: check before machining
Before any machining operation, it is essential to check:
- The exact model of the air inlet
- The associated slot dimensions
- The manufacturer’s installation recommendations
This simple check helps avoid cutting errors, ensures installation compliance, and guarantees the product’s expected performance.
Because a high-performing product also starts with a compliant installation.
