Learn about the types of air ducts
Ducts are the ducts responsible for distributing cooled or hot air throughout a building. Without them, the rest of the HVAC system would be useless. There are several different types of ductwork that can be used in a home or commercial building, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
The type of ductwork to use depends on your HVAC needs and can be determined by an HVAC professional, and through this article we will learn more about the types of ductwork and their importance so keep reading.
If you have a recently constructed new commercial building, you need to know that there are different types of duct systems, knowing them can help you understand their importance and why you should keep them in top condition at all times.
One way to maintain it is to contact duct technicians, they can find and fix potential problems before they get worse, you can get your technicians to do their job faster and easier by installing duct access doors.
What are air ducts?
Air ducts, air conditioning ducts, or AC ducts are ducts that provide warm or cold air to heat, ventilate, and cool each room. Ducts are connected to an HVAC unit that filters the air in your home and then heats or cools it before sending it out. Air ducts are a vital part of your HVAC system, providing thermal luxury and good indoor air quality for the space.
Duct types
There are two broad categories of ductwork: flexible and rigid.
flexible air ducts
Flexible ducts are usually round, spiral tubes of steel wire covered in flexible but durable plastic, and most flexible ducts are also surrounded by insulation to maintain the air temperature it should be.
This type of duct is the easiest to install, and the second least expensive. Flexible ductwork is the best type of duct to use in tight or awkward spaces where solid ductwork is difficult to install.
Because these air ducts are flexible, they can bend around fixed structures to work in almost any space, however, flexible ducts are subject to twists and turns that can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of the HVAC system. Airflow can also be reduced to an extent. What through the ridges that are inside the channels.
Another advantage of flexible air ducts is that they are great for air quality, because because the ducts are made of plastic rather than the fiberglass that makes up some rigid ducts, no dangerous particles are released into the air, which means less inhaled air pollutants.
This plastic is also mold and rust resistant, which means air quality stays cleaner for longer, and flexible ductwork has less potential for air leakage from your HVAC system than rigid ducting, although it's more prone to punctures.
solid air ducts
The second category of ductwork is rigid ducting. Rigid ducts can be of different sizes and made of different materials, and can be either rectangular or cylindrical.
Because ducts are rigid, they are not at risk of kinks or bends that restrict airflow, and, unlike flexible ducts, they cannot be torn or punctured.
However, rigid ducts cannot be used easily in difficult places. There are three main types of rigid ducts: sheet metal ducts, fiberglass lined ducts, and fiberboard ducts.
sheet metal ducts:
Sheet metal ducts are usually made of either galvanized steel or aluminum. Aluminum ducts are lightweight and easy to install, like flexible ductwork, sheet metal ducts are mold-resistant due to their non-porous material, allowing for better air quality for longer.
This type of ductwork is the most durable because it retains its shape and is not easily crushed, however, sheet metal ducting is more likely to experience leaks where two sections are connected.
Fiberglass lined air ducts:
Some sheet metal ducts are lined with fiberglass on the inside of the duct, and this liner provides insulation to keep air at the correct temperature, to prevent condensation from forming, and to silence the HVAC system.
The ability to mute fiberglass-lined ducts makes fiberglass-lined ducts a popular choice in office and commercial buildings. The main drawback of this type of duct is that fiberglass can deteriorate over time and release fibers into the air, and breathing in fiberglass particles can cause health problems after prolonged exposure.
Fiberglass lined ducts are difficult to keep clean because cleaning them can damage the lining and release more fiberglass particles into the air. This type of ductwork is more susceptible to mold, mildew, and bacteria than flexible ducts or sheet metal ducts due to their porous surface. Fiberglass lined ductwork should be cleaned by HVAC professionals to prevent the growth of contaminants and avoid the release of fiberglass particles.
Fiberboard ducts:
Fiberboard is made of compressed glass fibers that have been sealed to prevent particles from entering the air. The outside of these panels is protected by a foil covering that acts as a barrier to air and moisture.
Fiberboard ducts are great insulators on their own and do not require additional insulation, and they are the least expensive type of duct to install.
However, like fiberglass-lined ducts, fiberboard ducts are susceptible to mold growth.
Also, the interior of the fiberboard ducts is rough, which causes airflow friction and reduces the efficiency of the HVAC system.
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Al Shaheen Metal Industries Company