Sheet Metal vs Duct Board- the Best Choice for HVAC Ducting

The article covers differences between sheet metal and duct boards. There are a couple of benefits of sheet metal over duct board, which should be kept in mind while choosing the ducting suppliers.

The commercial, industrial and residential segments are still struggling to pick the best option for sheet metal and duct board. Where owners expect superior performance from the ductwork, they are also concerned about the price range. There are lots of ducting suppliers offering sheet metal ducts as a competitive option to duct board, which is said to be a good option due to its thermal properties and acoustic performance.

Owing to the modern-day manufacturing techniques, many companies are providing sheet metal ducts with solved issues of noise transmission and thermal performance. Therefore, the low-cost option duct board has actually become a less effective system.

Construction of Sheet Metal Ducts and Duct Board

The most common types of air ducts are made of sheet metal. Made from galvanized steel, mild steel and aluminum material, these ducts can be used to make rigid and flexible ducting in HVAC systems. Flexible duct manufacturers are offering sheet metal ducts in a variety of shapes, including round, oval and rectangular. Since sheet metal ducts are made from anon-porous material, they are less likely to damage and last longer against mold and mildew growth.

Duct boards are made from resins bonded with fibers. These are one of the least expensive options used in commercial and residential segments for ducting. Made with a foil face on the outside, these duct boards offer thermal benefits.

Which one is the best?

Duct boards may cut your utility bills but are they effective enough to beat the durability standards of sheet metal ducts? Duct boards are lightweight and least expensive, but sheet metal ducts are also recognized for its superior condensation control properties and remarkable aesthetic appeal. Then which one is better, where should one invest? Here is a list of benefits to make the comparison much easier.

1. The Higher effectiveness of sheet metal: Ductwork done with sheet metal comes with the assurance of proven effectiveness. The biggest reason that sheet metal is still the king of the industry is that people want to invest in a material which is long lasting and durable. Durability standards lack in duct boards, whereas, when installed and maintained correctly sheet metal ductscan last a lifetime.
2. The significance of durability: The challenges of industrial and commercial installation simply make sheet metal the winner in the long run. Sometimes, there are ductworks that require fire resistant characteristics. Moreover, higher strength and rigidity is required in challenging environments. Duct boards are not capable enough to handle the rugged environmental conditions in some industries and commercial kitchens. Whereas, it is easy to work with sheet metal in areas where hygiene or fire resistance is a top priority. Stainless steel ducts are made from 304 and 316-grade steel which comes with best finish and assurance of ease of maintenance.
3. Hassle free cleaning: Don’t compare sheet metal and duct board on the basis of its cost, there are some other points that show sheet metal have a couple of benefits over the low cost of duct board. Sheet metal ducts are very easy to install, and they are effective in every area if installed properly. Moreover, sheet metal ducts don’t collect dust too quickly and stay cleaner for longer as compared to duct boards.

You should always keep in mind that no matter how inexpensive product is, there might be some pitfalls in the long run. Same goes with duct boards, so make sure to get in touch with ducting suppliers like KAD Air Conditioning, who are offering AC ducts made from galvanized steel, mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Sheet metal is the right choice for most efficient HVAC system; you can avail products from reliable suppliers that deal in NFPA, BS, and ASHRE compliant ducts.

Asmita is a writer who has very good experience in writing articles & blogs. Since last few years her writing passion & knowledge is educating about industrial equipments.