What Type of Ductwork is Best for HVAC Systems?

Learn about different types of HVAC systems such as rigid metal sheets, flexible tubes made up of steel wire helices covered with plastic insulation and fiberglass lined air pipes.

What Type of Ductwork is Best for HVAC Systems?

Robust and distinctive rectangular air ducts are often the best choice for low-pressure HVAC systems in residential homes.

Contractors can manufacture these ducts in a workshop or on a truck with brakes, but they are generally considered more difficult to install than round ducts.

Made of galvanized steel or aluminum, rigid metal sheets are the most common type of duct. The thick, solid wall makes the duct very durable. The interior is known to trap dust and other particles, but the smooth surface is generally easy to clean.

That's why, if you use sheet metal in your home, it's a good idea to have your ducts cleaned by a professional from time to time to maintain adequate air quality. Because of their non-porous surface, they are also the least likely to promote mold growth. Flexible ducts are usually round tubes made up of steel wire helices covered with 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 the second least expensive.

Flexible ducting is the best type of ducting for use in tight or uncomfortable spaces where it would be very difficult to install rigid ducting. Because these air ducts are flexible, they can fold around fixed structures for work in almost any space. However, flexible ducts are susceptible to bending and bending, which can restrict airflow and decrease the efficiency of the HVAC system. The ridges inside the ducts can also reduce airflow a little. The fiber ducts are made of resin combined with inorganic glass fibers that act as an air barrier and a water vapor retardant.

In this way, its interior is perfectly sealed to prevent stale air from outside entering the air stream. Flexible ducting is the most popular type of duct, as they are easy to install and inexpensive. That explains why they are used massively in homes. They are usually made of a steel wire propeller for springs and polymer plastic.

Flexible ducts are best suited to separate the main chamber from your air conditioning system. They run throughout the building and carry air to the individual ventilation grilles on the roof. Flexible ducts are available in a variety of materials that adapt to the shape of the building as needed, such as rubber, stainless steel, silicone and polyurethane. Determining the prices of rectangular pipes was difficult, since they are not used as often, but the table below will give you a rough idea of what to expect. The disadvantage of this type of duct material is that, since they are relatively easy to install, all Dick and Harry think they can work. George, Utah, can enjoy reduced energy bills with metal ducting, as the furnace and air conditioning unit won't have to work as hard to supply air to the entire building.

Round ducts are just as durable as their rectangular counterparts, but this type of duct is easier to manufacture with fewer seams due to their design. Flexible ducts are at the opposite end of the spectrum, as they consist of wire coils with a cover that is normally made of plastic. It is interesting to learn more about ducts and how fiberglass lined air pipes are insulated to prevent heat loss or even condensation when the supply air is at a very cold temperature. This type of ducting is the best option for tight spaces where metal air ducts don't fit and homeowners or professionals consider them cheaper and easier to install. A central heating and air conditioning unit is essentially the foundation of a home's air conditioning system, but attic ducts and mezzanines are just as important. George, Utah, should familiarize yourself with the difference between flexible and metallic ductwork to know which one is best for your property. Choosing the right ductwork for your home depends on the materials, the overall design, your heat retention or noise reduction needs and your budget.

There are other types of ducts that, for some reason, are not as common as those listed above. While durable and, to some extent, puncture-proof, this type of air duct is difficult to work with in tight places. Flexible ducts are less likely to leak air from the HVAC system than rigid ducts, although they are more susceptible to perforation. A key difference between flexible and metallic ducts is that flexible ducts are significantly easier to install.

Myrna Dettman
Myrna Dettman

Friendly beer nerd. Lifelong social media enthusiast. Award-winning internet evangelist. Travel aficionado. Freelance music scholar.

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