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The Different Types of Ducts

By Angie Lyczkowski | Published: March 29, 2016

The Different Types of DuctsThe types of ducts used in your home’s heating and cooling system affect how efficiently they can keep you comfortable throughout the Lorain area’s humid summers and snowy winters. The better you understand your ducts, the more easily you can spot any problems.

Sheet Metal

Sheet metal ducts are made of thin metal sheets formed into rectangular or round tubes. Galvanized steel is the most common metal choice, but aluminum may be used where lightweight ducts or customized duct shapes are needed. By far the most common type of ducts, sheet metal ducts are typically used to form the main trunk line. Sections slide together to form connections. To prevent wasteful air leaks, connections must be secured with sheet metal screws and sealed with mastic or appropriate heat-resistant tape.

Fiberglass Ducts

Ducts made of fiberglass boards are surrounded by a thin foil layer meant to create a vapor barrier that protects the ducts from moisture damage. Fiberglass ducts are often used to connect trunk lines with room registers, but may also be used to form trunk lines. Connections involving fiberglass ducts should be sealed with mesh tape and mastic to prevent air leaks.

Although fiberglass ducts have the advantage of being lighter, quieter, and lower in cost than metal ducts, they’re more susceptible to moisture damage and mold growth. This makes them less than ideal for use in humid spaces.

Flexible Ducts

Better known as flex duct, these types of ducts consist of a metal coil surrounded by plastic, insulation, and an exterior vinyl or foil jacket. Their ability to bend around obstacles makes them useful in areas with limited space, such as attics.

Although the ducts themselves are inexpensive and simple to install, they’re easily damaged, so they require careful handling. Because they’re relatively inefficient, provide limited airflow, and are prone to tears and collapse, their use should be limited and long stretches of flex duct avoided.

To find out if the types of ducts in your home are as efficient as possible, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning in Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Mathias Rosenthal/Shutterstock”

This entry was posted in Ductwork and tagged duct types, Ducts, ductwork, elyria, HVAC, HVAC system, Lorain, oberlin, Ohio, types of ducts. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
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  • About Angie

    Angie Lyczkowskin Angie Lyczkowski is the owner and manager of operations at Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning... More »
  • Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning is a residential and commercial HVAC provider that has been serving Lorain, Ohio for 33 years. The NATE certified staff of this family business has more than 50 years combined experience in the industry.

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The opinions and statements contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and are not instructions. Only trained, licensed and experienced personnel should attempt installation/repair. The author assumes no liability for the opinions/statements made in this article. Any individual attempting a repair or installation based on this article does so at their own risk of loss.