Change Sheet Metal Duct To Flex

Most often flex duct is used to reduce cost or in places where metal duct work will not fit.

Change sheet metal duct to flex.

Flexible duct needs to be larger than pipes to allow the same amount of airflow. You may need to buy a sheet metal fitting to properly connect the correct size of flex duct to the hard duct. If your budget allows you may want to consider resealing your duct work with a mastic product. Metal ducts are more rigid due to the nature of steel making them ideal to build an entire hvac system.

The sample from above calculates out to 7 inch for flex duct size. Online residential ductulator. You can even use three sheet metal screws behind the first rib or two of the duct as long as you use mastic under the duct at the sheet metal connection. This is a great decision.

Long poorly supported runs of flex duct sag stress and separate rigid ducting systems often called hard pipe are prone to their own brand of installer pitfalls particularly extra duct length if cutting off is awkward or just too time consuming unnecessary dead end extents are sometimes capped off and left. Unscrew any sheet metal screws connecting metal duct to a boot or another section of duct. Typically the connector is inserted between the equipment and the ductwork. Ryan shanahan i ve been told to avoid using metal screws with flex duct because the flex can tear easily once you create a hole.

If you have had problems with holes or cracks in the past this may be a good choice. You mentioned that you were considering re insulating your current metal duct work. In comparison to metal duct flex duct is easier and faster to install. Pull the duct from the boots and set it aside to either be thrown away or recycled.

Bob s not a fan of flexible heating ductwork. Cost of installation supplies. Flexible aluminum ducting is slightly more expensive and less prone to tearing. The flex duct size may be different than the hard duct that runs to that room.

Here are the itemized costs for the most common types of ductwork and supplies needed to complete installation. Flex ducts are better for existing trunk and branch heating and cooling systems. This is because they re more versatile and flexible. Flexible duct connector designed to isolate equipment noise and vibration from the ductwork proflex flexible duct connector consists of a fabric which is secured to sheet metal on both sides.

There s no question that flexible duct is easier to install than metal ductwork but consider this. More than likely. Sheet metal the strongest material costs more than non metallic or flexible aluminum ducting with additional labor costs for multiple turns.