Duct Bd.

[DanW13]

I am new to this fourm and I have been pondering the idea of replacing my existing metal ducting with Duct Bd. What are your thoughts and or opinions on this product and how often do you see this material out in the field ? Is it worth the extra money as opposed to leaving my existing ducting in place and just wrapping it with insulation ?

Dan
Cedar Grove, Wi

[lolson]

duct board has a higher frictoin loss so it must be resized and will takeup more area

[marter]

if it every gets wet it needs to be replaced (think cardboard)
stay with hard duct and insulate it

[falkenater]

I am new to this fourm and I have been pondering the idea of replacing my existing metal ducting with Duct Bd. What are your thoughts and or opinions on this product and how often do you see this material out in the field ? Is it worth the extra money as opposed to leaving my existing ducting in place and just wrapping it with insulation ?

Dan
Cedar Grove, Wi

I hate duct board! Before you even think about it look inside it, all you will see is fiberglass. It holds dirt better than any other duct out there plus gives you a constant supply of fiberglass to circulate through yor home. IMO you can't beat metal duct. Seal any leaks before you insulate. Duct board isn't a better product, it was made to save time & money.

[DragRag]

Duct board is some of the worst ducting around IMO. Stick with the metal and insulate.

[nashobasales]

Don't waste your money, like it was said, if it gets wet you gotta replace it. You cannot have your ducts cleaned ever either. Actually I'm sure some dingbat would come out with the Roto Brush and do it anyways. Then you would still have to replace it.:rolleyes:

[Irishmist]

No practical reason to go from galvanized to ductboard. If you need to replace your duct, then go galvanized. period.

all the best, Irish

[Tech Rob]

with ductboard would be a big mistake.

[bmathews]

Let's put it this way. The only reason why most people don't use metal is cost. It is cheaper to use ductboard and flex and much easier to install which translates into cost again. If you already have metal, you're already over the hump. Stay with it. Ductboard will get nasty over time and can't be cleaned. Metal will stay cleaner and is much easier to clean.

[roadsideridged]

going from metal to SUCKBOARD Is not a good move. that $hit should be outlawed.

[karsthuntr]

Let's put it this way. The only reason why most people don't use metal is cost. It is cheaper to use ductboard and flex and much easier to install which translates into cost again. If you already have metal, you're already over the hump. Stay with it. Ductboard will get nasty over time and can't be cleaned. Metal will stay cleaner and is much easier to clean.


I disagree, not the only reason.

I think the biggest thing is, they don't know how to bend metal. :)

To the OP, if you want duct board that bad, use it to insulate the existing duct.

[diesel65]

Here in Florida residential and a lot of light commercial is ductboard, I hate working with it, I will say that if installed correctly it will last and if needed can be cleaned if the person cleaning it knows what they are doing.

Most residential is "all flex" systems, (spider systems) for those up North, you have a glass plenum and feeder ducts to distribution boxes and more flex from these to the grills, if designed and installed correctly it will last forever.

Too many times I have seen a sheetmetal duct system installed incorrectly, one square trunk with 50 miles of 6" diameter pipe to the grills coming off it.

Sheetmetal wins hands down, only if it is designed and installed correctly, attic spaces are very tight and lead to shortcuts, if the company is good at their job you will have a great system that can be cleaned many times but you will pay a premium for this.

If you are going to stay in your home for many years and can afford it, Sheetmetal and wrap. If cost is an issue "All flex".

Do your homework on your contractor.

[I_bend_metal]

Before you get these thoughts about WHAT you are going to use....maybe you should decide WHY you want to use them. Where is your ductwork located? Is it in a crawl space? Conditioned or unconditioned? Basement? A little more info would be needed. If you have a basement, that is conditioned.....seal up what you have and spend your money on something useful.