Knowledge Builders

how is ductwork made

by Michele Nicolas Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The ductwork construction starts with the tracing of the duct outline onto the aluminium preinsulated panel. The parts are then typically cut at 45°, bent if required to obtain the different fittings (i.e. elbows, tapers) and finally assembled with glue.

Rectangular metal ducts are built by putting two pieces of bent sheeting together. The flat pieces of metal are first cut to the desired size with a cutting machine or plasma cutter. Then, another machine folds the sharp edges inward. Thirdly, the sheet is shaped into an L or a tube.

Full Answer

Which type of ductwork is best?

Rigid Ductwork

  • Sheet Metal Ducts. Sheet metal ducts are typically made out of either aluminum or galvanized steel, and these are the most common type of rigid air ducts.
  • Fiberglass Lined Ducts. As previously mentioned, some sheet metal ducts may be lined with fiberglass on either the outside or inside.
  • Fiberboard Ducts. ...

What type duct work is best?

The Best Ductwork Material

  • Pre-insulated Ducts. Pre-insulated ducts are generally made from mild galvanized steel and insulated with polyurethane or phenol.
  • Fiberglass. Fiberglass duct boards are square, like the polyurethane boards, but can be cut with a special knife to form hinges in the boards for easier installation.
  • Flexible Ducting. ...

Should ductwork be replaced?

You should replace your ductwork every fifteen years or sooner if you’re sensing some issues. Your ductwork can affect the efficiency of your furnace and the quality of your air, so it’s essential to get it replaced every fifteen years even if it appears to be in good condition.

What do you need to know about ductwork?

When to Repair or Replace Your Ductwork

  • Upgrading Your HVAC System. Just as there are several reasons to replace your ductwork, so too are there several reasons to replace your HVAC system.
  • Building an Addition. If you’re planning on adding new rooms to your property, they’ll also need ductwork. ...
  • Poor Indoor Air Quality. ...
  • High Energy Bills. ...
  • Old Age. ...
  • Strange Noises. ...

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Gather the Necessary Materials

Before you make your own ductwork, you need to make sure you have the right materials and tools on hand. You should start by purchasing a piece of sheet metal that measures four by eight feet.

Measure and Mark the Sheet Metal

Using the steel ruler, you can then start measuring and marking the metal before cutting and forming it. Place the steel ruler anywhere from 10 to 12 inches from the metal’s long edge. After lining up the ruler to the sheet metal, mark the metal at one inch in two places. Make sure the marks are two feet apart.

Bending the Metal

Bending and crafting the metal into ductwork requires you to use a lock former machine. Follow the measurements on the metal to bend it at each mark. You will have a ¼-inch lip on the duct when it is finished. Use a sheet metal hammer to clamp this down and lock the duct into place.

What is Ductwork?

Put simply, ductwork is a system of tubing that is used to transfer cool or warm air from the air conditioning unit or furnace to the air vents distributed throughout your home. The process involves air being sucked into the air conditioner/ heater, where it is cooled or heated, and then pushed back into your living spaces via the ducts.

Main Components of Ductwork

Before we take a look at the various types of ductwork, it’s important to understand the main parts of your HVAC ductwork and how they function. In fact, the ducts aren’t the only component that makes up the entire system. Here are some of the main parts:

Types of Ductwork

Generally speaking, there are two main categories of ductwork: flexible and rigid. The type of ductwork that your home requires will depend on your specific heating and cooling needs, which can be found with the assistance of an HVAC professional. Here are the various types of ductwork, along with their associated advantages and disadvantages.

Rigid Ductwork

The first category of ductwork is rigid ductwork. Rigid ducts come in a range of materials, sizes, and may be either cylindrical or rectangular in shape. As their name suggests, rigid ducts are inflexible and don’t have any risk of bends or kinks that result in restricted airflow. Unlike flexible ducts, they also cannot be punctured or torn.

Flexible Ductwork

The second category of ductwork is known as flexible ductwork. These ducts are usually round tubes that are constructed out of steel wire helixes and covered in a flexible, but durable, plastic material. The majority of flexible ducts also have additional insulation that ensures the temperature stays where it should be.

Related Questions

Semi-rigid ductwork is another type of ducting that is flexible, but more rigid than foil ducting. It is usually made out of aluminum and should only be used for transition ducting, rather than concealed in the walls or floors of your home. As such, it is mostly used as a type of dryer vent tubing.

1. Field measurement

Measure the size at the installation site of the ventilation system, and draw the measured results into a sketch as the basis for the system to process the air duct. The following items should be noted during the measurement process:

4. Underlining

Determine the thickness of the plate according to the design size of the air pipe, select the number of bent pipes, and the interface mode.

6. Blanking

On the sheet material, the unfolding drawing and clear imprint of the marginal line of the blanking size are made. The next shearing process is possible.

8. Welding form of air duct

It is used for the splicing of plates or horizontal seams and vertical closed seams.

11. Duct reinforcement

Reinforcement method of joint height (that is, using a standing bite).

Creating a Duct Design Layout

The most important thing you’ll be doing in DuctQuote is drawing layouts for your clients’ facilities. Layouts are design drawings within a project. In DuctQuote, your layouts can represent rooms, floors, or even different systems. There’s no limit to the number of layouts you can design in a project.

Tips for Adding the Ductwork to the Design

The most important part of your system will be the ductwork you add to your drawing. Because you set many of your defaults ahead of time, it will be easy to select the right duct, connections, and flex hose.

Designing Ductwork Systems Doesn't Have to Be Hard

The purpose of DuctQuote is to make designing, quoting, and selling ductwork systems easier and faster. If you're ready to get started (for free), register for DuctQuote and a Duct Guy will help you get started.

Also on US Duct

Recently US Duct invested in a laser welder for seam welding duct and tubing. …

It Is As Easy As 1-2-3...4

Contact US Duct and we'll answer the phone (no voicemail jail). Talk to a seasoned duct professional. Get expert help and more duct options than anyone else can offer. Have a drawing and need a take-off? Need a drawing and specifications? We'll handle it.

When it Comes to Delivery: The Incredible Guarantee

If the ordered product is not delivered on time or is not 100% correct with regard to quality, quantity, dimensions, etc. We will have the correction made within 24 hours and credit you for 2% of the ENTIRE order*.

Does your ductwork supplier make the cut?

When it comes to selecting a ductwork vendor, find one that will make ductwork easy.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel is the most common material used for ductwork. Galvanized steel is ideal for ductwork because it is corrosion resistant and can withstand higher temperatures.

Aluminum

Aluminum sheet is used for ductwork because of its high strength and light weight. Lightweight pieces of duct can span longer distances without the need for supports. It is also flexible, which means it can be stretched and bent multiple times, but still hold an airtight seal.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel ductwork is used more frequently in laboratories due to its sanitary benefits as well as its corrosion resistance to harsh substances. It also has greater strength than aluminum and is abrasion resistant.

The Spiral Duct Fabrication Process

Once a customer receives the slit coil it is placed on an uncoiler and sent through a rough leveler to flatten the material. It is then sent through an edge trimmer and formed.

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