Flex Duct Vs Sheet Metal Duct

I am not hating on metal pipe but flex duct is more practical in many applications.

Flex duct vs sheet metal duct.

While sheet metal ductwork tends to be a better long. I ve only been building since 1995 so i can t say for certain why we left the sheet metal guys behind but i suspect it was manly for cost reasons. This is because they re more versatile and flexible. Sheet metal ducts are less likely to incur dangerous mold and growths because their surfaces are non porous and smooth.

In comparison to metal duct flex duct is easier and faster to install. Flex ducts are better for existing trunk and branch heating and cooling systems. Some sheet metal air ducts are lined with an external or internal fiberglass duct liner. Cost of installation supplies.

While they tend not to last as long as sheet metal they are very cost effective. I have seen many leaky metal ducts in crawl spaces as well. I don t know why but i have taken metal pipe apart to find a lot of crud which i don t think would live in flex duct. Flexible ducts are made out of corrugated plastic often wrapped in insulation.

Also i think spider webs are more likely to form in metal versus flex. 1 10 5 25 per foot insulated flexible duct 4 to 16 diameters used as branches or in radial duct attic systems 2 30 13 00 per foot round and oval sheet metal duct 3 to 8 diameters typically used for trunks in small homes and. In this video i ll make a case for going back to rigid metal ducts for your trunk lines and keeping your flexable ducts to the last 10 or less of a. Their shape and size also allows them to be installed in locations that would not accept full sized sheet metal ductwork.

Here are the itemized costs for the most common types of ductwork and supplies needed to complete installation.