FLEX DUCT: IS IT A GOOD CHOICE FOR YOUR HOME 


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When considering renovating or remodeling your home, you should consider changing your HVAC system. Poor flow in the house can make it unconducive, for example, too hot, cold, or stuffy. In most cases, poor air quality is caused by faulty ducts. Probably, it needs some good cleaning, or they are damaged or leaking hence requiring some repair. When you want to replace your vents, you only have two options: rigid metal or flexible ductwork.  

This article will examine why flexible ductwork is the best choice for your home.  

Here Is Why Flex Duct is the Best Choice for Your Home  

  1. Efficiency  

An efficient and effective HVAC system should have lead-free ductwork. During installation, flex duct professionals ensure that they seal all joints between ducts to prevent any leak, which can lead to low efficiency and high energy bills.  

Most flex duct professionals use two types of sealing- mastic and foil tape. These two materials are used together to create the best and strongest seal. Mastic such as spackle is applied when wet and dries into a robust, hard coating. Flex duct doesn’t need any sealant in its raw form, giving it a significant advantage regarding leak vulnerability. Additionally, they are insulated with pre-sealed or seamless insulation, reducing any leak possibility.  

Flex ducts are made up of three major components that increase their efficiency.  

  • A thin metal coil gives them a tube-shape design 
  • A layer of plastic covering the coil 
  • An outermost layer of foil-made fiberglass insulation  
  1. Flexibility 

Another significant benefit of using flexible ductwork is its flexibility. When choosing between rigid metal and flexible ductwork, flexibility is a critical component to consider. For rigid metal, they must be used or run in a straight line. If it must curve, use two ducts, join them with an elbow joint, and seal it with mastic and foil tape. Sealing is essential to prevent any leak and ensure successful duct installation. However, any sealed surface or connection is liable to leak. This means rigid metal ducts are susceptible to leaks since they need an elbow joint to curve around walls and attics.  

Flex ducts are highly flexible and hence can bend in any direction. They don’t require any joint, which means no sealant, foil tape, or mastic is required. Flexibility reduces the use of extra sealant, decreasing risks of leaking and ensuring maximum efficiency.  

Nevertheless, flexibility has its flaws since it has restricted airflow. When flex ducts bend around obstructions, the tube molds around the studs, joists, or trusses around it. The tube also compresses once the ducts bend, restricting airflow in the duct. Therefore, to ensure maximum efficiency, you should avoid bending your flex duct too much.  

  1. Cost 

Flexible ducts are cheaper compared to rigid metal ducts. This is because they require less foil tape and mastic since they don’t require much sealant. They are also insulated, reducing installation time, process, and labor costs. Their flexibility also helps to reduce the installation requirement and process.   

When renovating your home, the cost is one of the basic factors you tend to consider. Sometimes, the renovation process becomes expensive due to materials, installation, and labor costs. Therefore, going for cost-effective materials and easy processes that will save you on labor costs is an added advantage.   

  1. Ease of Installation 

Duct professionals consider two significant factors when estimating the labor cost for installing ductwork- material used and obstructions/ location of installation.  Some common obstructions include; structural steel beams, receptacles for electrical outlets, switches, or can lights, and other HVAC equipment. Installing ductwork in areas with numerous obstructions can prove expensive and complex when using rigid metal ductwork. Installing elbow joints may take more time. This makes installing flexible ductwork easier, more time-efficient, and cheaper. This is because flex ducts can bend around the obstructions without requiring any elbow joint.  

Flexible ductwork is also pre-insulated. Installing this insulation is a complex process that requires experienced and skilled individuals. This makes installing rigid metal ductwork challenging since they don’t have a pre-insulation. Therefore, when looking for an easy to install ducts, flexible ductwork is the best choice. Going for an easy to install ducts will help you save high labor costs and installation time.  

Variety of Options 
 
Another reason why flexible ductworks are the best choice is that they come with a variety of options to choose from. They are also easy to obtain. Flexible ducts are readily available, and you can always access them whenever you need them. Going for flexible ducts means you can easily get your choice.  
 
When to choose Flex Duct  
 
When you want to save on the cost. Flex ducts will help you save up to 50% on materials compared to rigid ductwork. The installation process of flex ducts is easy; hence, you will save a significant amount. Therefore, flex ducts are essential when you are on a tight budget and want to reduce the remodeling cost.  
When You Plan TO Do It Yourself. If you plan to install a duct yourself, you should go for one that is easier to handle and install. Flex ducts are easier to handle and are not complex as rigid metal ducts. It requires a few pieces of equipment that are cheaper and easy to handle. They also don’t need any connections or joints since they can flexibly bend around obstructions. Additionally, they are pre-insulated, so they don’t require any insulation installation. However, if you plan to DIY, you should do thorough research, watch some tutorials, and follow the instructions to ensure you install your flex duct properly.  
When there are More Obstructions. If where you want to install your duct has more obstruction or is hard to reach, then flex ducts are the best choice. Flex ducts can easily bend around various obstacles or hard-to-reach areas in the house. 
When Your HVAC Systems have Flex Duct. If your current HVAC system comprises flex ducts, it will be cheaper to duplicate them instead of replacing them when remodeling your system.   
 
Cons of Using Flexible Ductwork  
 
Though flexible ducts are associated with a good number of benefits, there are a few cons that you should note. They include friction which leads to an increase in demand for energy, high energy cost, and are liable to problems such as reduced airflow, interference, damage by rodents or pests, and compression. Lastly, flex ducts are not durable compared to rigid metal ducts since they can be interfered with or affected by pests and rodents.   

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Bottom-Line  

Flex ducts are convenient, affordable, and easy to install, making them an ideal choice for your home. If you are not sure of the best duct to use or if you’re confused if your ducts need replacement, you can always contact your technician or consult any expert. Ductwork professionals can guide you through the best duct to use, the cleaning process, repairing, or replacing.  

You should also ensure you hire a reliable ductwork professional when installing your ducts. This will guarantee you quality work.  Go for energy-efficient ducts that provide high-quality airflow in your home. Considering all features of flex duct, we can conclude that it is the best choice for your home. 


Kevin Peter