What Are the Types of Plastic Duct Pipes And Why Do You Need Them
| |New standards in plumbing require that there must be a dedicated type of pipe for every case. That is where plastic duct pipes fit in because of their versatility.
In this article, you will learn more about the types of plastic duct pipes and what they are necessary for.
3 Types of Ducting That Will Help You Ventilate Your Property
There are three types of duct systems. Learn what makes each of them unique.
Flexible ducts
Flexible ducts are generally made of PVC materials. These ducts are usually tube-shaped and consist of a coil of wire covered with a flexible and durable plastic surrounded by insulation.
Flexible ducts are used in complicated and delicate spaces where it is impossible to install or use rigid ducts to attach non-flexible ducts to an air supply outlet.
Although they are versatile and can be used in most general ventilation connection applications, PVC ducts pipes are the cheapest on the market.
Like most central air conditioning components, flexible duct systems have specific installation requirements.
For example, flexible ducts must be properly secured and supported to prevent them from sagging or buckling. Bending and twisting must also be minimized, affecting the air-conditioning system’s efficiency and reducing airflow.
Rigid ducts
You can find rigid plastic and expanded polypropylene (EPP) ducts. They can also be used as a single duct component or as part of a more extensive duct system.
It is recommended that rigid ducts should be used, wherever possible, in a ventilation system to minimize duct resistance and elbows in the system.
Rigid plastic ductwork is suitable for most installations. However, rigid PPE ductwork should be used to pass through unheated areas such as attics or outdoors.
Semi-rigid ducts
Semi-rigid ducts are considered the best type of ventilation duct available, and these offer installers and those using them in their ventilation system several advantages.
Good quality semi-rigid ducts allow a ventilation system to function optimally without leakage problems. They can also reduce installation time by up to 70 percent.
The majority of semi-rigid duct systems also offer you great versatility by changing from an oval to a round duct without any loss of hydraulic pressure or system performance.
The ventilation system’s maintenance is also easier to do.The central semi-rigid duct systems offer an anti-static and antibacterial coating and are also extremely easy to clean once installed.
Advantages of Using PVC Duct Pipes on Your Properties
Although there are several types of PVC ducts out there, they all offer the same advantages to users. Here are some of them:
Usability
The advantage of PVC pipes is that they are durable and can be used for various purposes. In many cases, its sturdiness dramatically facilitates installation. You can also use it in a wide range of environments, whether on walls, ceilings or floors.
Corrosion resistance
In commercial buildings where fumes, gases or exhaust fumes are scrubbed off, corrosion is inevitable.
However, with PVC ducts, it is possible to comply with the mandatory safety regulations and at the same time, reduce the risk of corrosion.
In homes, these ducts allow a heating and cooling system to operate without being corroded by moisture or even radon. You could save money with these ducts because, unlike metal ducts, PVC Ducts do not rust.
Versatility
PVC comes in handy if you prefer to design a house with cooling and heating grilles on the floor.
This is particularly useful if the house does not have a crawl space that would leave room for metal ducts.
In a house built on a concrete slab, it is recommended that the PVC ducts be placed directly under the floor. And as mentioned above, PVC protects against moisture-related corrosion that can occur at ground level.
Insulation
One of the main reasons why PVC pipes are used for cooling and heating is that these are much more insulating than metals, which are conductors that do not retain heat well.
When hot and cold air makes its way through steel-based pipes, it disperses, resulting in a less efficient heating and cooling system than PVC.
How Do You Know Your Ductwork Is Efficient?
Your home must be equipped with efficient ducts so that your comfort is not compromised. To check the efficiency of your vents, make sure they are:
- Able to provide the right amount of warm or cold air
- Correctly sealed to maximize airflow and prevent outside air from entering the building
- Rigorously dimensioned
- Compliant with international specifications
- Capable of minimizing air temperature gains and losses
If everything in this checklist is in order, then your ventilation system should be working perfectly. A trusted plastic processing company can supply the right materials should you need to have work done on the system in the future.
The Right Pipes
When you replace the heating and cooling unit in your home, it is always important to look after your ductwork system as well. Ducting is essential because it is responsible for the distribution of air throughout the house. So don’t hesitate to call in a specialist plastic pipe manufacturer to ensure the integrity of your property.