Air flow in a steel duct tends to travel smoothly in a coil like motion.
Flexible duct vs metal duct.
It all depends on the unique needs of your home and your budget.
When you use flexible ductwork instead of metal ducts you will save some substantial money.
Rigid ductwork sheet metal ducts are less likely to incur dangerous mold and growths because their surfaces are non porous and smooth.
Metal ducts are more rigid due to the nature of steel making them ideal to build an entire hvac system.
Flex duct has an inherent flaw based on the very attributes that make it flexible.
Flexible ducts are fairly easy to install and will often cost less than the rigid ductwork.
This is because they re more versatile and flexible.
Flexible ducts are good for air quality because you are not breathing in fiberglass insulation lined ductwork like the fiber air ducts and they are mold and rust resistant unlike galvanized sheet metal ductwork.
Air flow in a flex duct tends to tumble probably because of the rib like intrusion every inch or so.
What s the best choice for you.
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Having seen the results from a duct blaster on many different configurations of residential duct work i would recommend keeping the metal duct work and cleaning it.
When you are trying to stick to a budget on the project this savings can help you do so.
Flexible ductwork is going to be cheaper than metal ducts in nearly every case.
Even when doing this the flex duct creates much more resistance.
Flex ducts are better for existing trunk and branch heating and cooling systems.
In comparison to metal duct flex duct is easier and faster to install.
The inner liner ribs restrict airflow more than sheet metal ductwork but not significantly.
This is due to the heavy planning it requires and if something is not well thought through it is normal for the technicians to come into a bit of a situation.