The thick and solid wall makes the duct very durable. Made of galvanized steel or aluminum, rigid sheet metal is the most common type of duct. The interior is known to trap dust and other particles, but the smooth surface is generally easy to clean. So, if you use sheet metal in your home, it's a good idea to have your ducts professionally cleaned from time to time to maintain adequate air quality.
Because of their non-porous surface, they are also the least likely to withstand mold growth. Known as flexible ducts, these types of ducts are designed for HVAC applications. They usually consist of a flexible plastic inner lining that a coil of helical metal wire supports inside. A layer of fiberglass insulation covers the duct.
Although flexible ducts are usually installed in a single continuous piece, a seam leak can occur when connected to a rigid sheet metal duct. Flexible ducts must be properly and carefully installed to avoid restricting air flow. Improper installation of a flexible duct system that allows them to tear, bend sharply, bend, and fold can lead to service problems and possible equipment failure. Robust and distinctive rectangular air ducts are often the best choice for low-pressure air conditioning systems in residential homes.
These ducts can be manufactured in a workshop or on a truck by contractors with a brake, but they are generally considered more difficult to install than round ducts. Flexible ducts are usually round tubes formed by steel wire propellers covered in flexible but durable plastic. Most flexible ducts are also surrounded by insulation to keep the air at the temperature it should be. This type of air duct is the easiest to install and is the second least expensive.
Flexible ducts are the best type of ducts to use in tight or uncomfortable spaces where rigid ducts would be too difficult to install. Because these air ducts are flexible, they can be folded around fixed structures to work in almost any space. However, flexible ducts are susceptible to kinks and kinks that can restrict air flow and decrease the efficiency of the air conditioning system. Airflow can also be reduced a bit by the ridges inside the ducts.
Another advantage of flexible ducts is that they are great for air quality. Because the ducts are made of plastic instead of the fiberglass that forms some rigid ducts, no hazardous particles are released into the air, meaning there are fewer air pollutants to inhale. This plastic is also resistant to mildew and rust, which means that air quality stays clean for much longer. Flexible ducts are less likely to leak air from the air conditioning system than rigid ducts, although they are more susceptible to perforation.
Considered to be the best type of ventilation duct available, semi-rigid ducts offer installers some benefits. An excellent quality semi-rigid duct helps the ventilation system work at its optimal performance because it is a leak-free ventilation system. On the other hand, high-quality semi-rigid duct systems also have high levels of collapsibility. In addition, some semi-rigid duct systems offer the installer versatility to switch between round and oval ducts without losing any loss of hydraulic pressure or system performance.
It's also easier to maintain because many semi-rigid duct systems have antibacterial and antistatic coatings. As the name explains, flexible ducts can be easily curved and offer more opportunities to be placed in smaller spaces. They are a popular choice and are usually tubular and are made of steel spring wire and encased inside a 2-layer polymer plastic. Sheet metal ducts have become popular thanks to action movies in which people crawl through them.
There are two types of materials used for sheet metal ducts:. Galvanized steel is steel that comes with a zinc coating, this helps prevent corrosion and rust buildup. Fiberglass ducts are sheet metal ducts, but they come with a fiberglass coating, either internally or externally. The fiberglass coating provides sound insulation from the noise produced by air conditioning.
Fiberboard air ducts consist of compressed resin plates, which are then joined together with inorganic fiberglass. They also have an aluminum face on the outside, which is a barrier to air and water. Inside, the air duct is sealed to prevent fiberglass fibers and particles from entering the air. Fiberboard air ducts also provide soundproofing and energy saving benefits.
It is the most economical type of duct to install. Another advantage is the flexibility it offers during installation. Round ducts are perfect for medium to high pressure systems, although they require more height for installation compared to rectangular air ducts. Because of the sealed inner lining, fiberglass ducts require intensive cleaning that can make the ducts less durable.
Fiberglass ducts are insulated as part of their construction, and their applications include underground duct systems. These types of ducts are also more prone to mold and bacteria formation than flexible ducts or sheet metal ducts due to their porous surface. Ducts lined with fiberglass are more difficult to keep clean because cleaning them can damage the coating and release more fiberglass particles into the air. No matter the quality and type of your duct system, you may not be able to get the most out of your duct system without regular maintenance.
Fiberglass-lined ducts should be cleaned by HVAC professionals to prevent contaminant growth and prevent the release of fiberglass particles. You'll also be able to get much more efficient heating and air conditioning and overall airflow if you clean your air ducts regularly. Flexible ducts are best in complicated and complicated spaces where it is impossible to install or use rigid ducts to attach non-flexible ducts to an air supply outlet. While there are only a few flexible duct styles, fiberglass duct plates and fiberglass lined ducts are also used in commercial applications.
While they are an excellent insulator used to limit heat loss and used to dampen noise in commercial spaces, these ducts can also harbor mold and require special cleaning. Oval ducts belong to this class and are perfect for narrow-walled cavities, although technically they are only flattened round ducts. .
