Ducts are the passageways in an air conditioner. They are used for delivering and removing air. The air ducts evenly distribute air from your house by cooling or heating it. If you are remodeling your home, one of the air conditioning services you should never overlook is ductwork installation. Here is a look at the differences between metal and flexible ductwork.

Installation

One of the significant differences between metal and flexible ductwork is installation. Flex ductwork is lightweight and can bend how you want it to, making it easier to install than metal ductwork. Common types of flexible ductwork material include silicone, polyester, and polyurethane. The installation of flex ductwork is easier and faster than metal ductwork. This makes it cheaper in terms of the cost of labor.

The installation of metal ductwork is much more complex. Common examples of sheet metal ductwork include fiberglass-lined ducts, fiberboard ducts, and sheet metal ducts. You need to take precise measurements with sheet metal to ensure the ductwork fits the building's dimensions. It is also harder to carry and position metal ductwork. This is one of the reasons metal ductwork is more expensive than flexible ductwork.

Air Leakage

The average house loses 20-30 percent of air to leaks. This is mainly caused by poorly fixed ducts and holes. As a result, you are likely to pay high utility bills.

Metal duct sections are shorter than flexible ducts. Therefore, there is a seam where two sections are linked. Everywhere a metal duct turns, there are two more seams. Flexible ductwork has fewer seams. This means there are fewer cases of air leakage.

Applications

Another difference between metal and flex ductwork is application. Flex ductwork is not suited for commercial buildings. This is because of problems such as sharp turns, lengthy duct runs, poorly sealed connections, extra duct length, and unsupported butt joints.

Flex ducts are better suited for short runs. However, metal ducts can work for complete air distribution systems. This is because they involve detailed designs and measurements. Moreover, they are less resistant to airflow, so they do not have the challenges associated with flexible ductwork.

In Conclusion

Failing to choose the appropriate ductwork for your home will affect the efficiency of your air conditioner. Furthermore, you will experience poor air distribution. Whether to choose metal ductwork or flexible ductwork depends on factors such as location, square footage, and the number of occupants in your home. Consult an air conditioning technician for advice regarding the appropriate ductwork for your home. 

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