What is duct and what are the types of duct materials? Duct is an important component in ventilation and air cooling systems in buildings, ranging from residential to commercial office buildings.

Duct plays a crucial role which is to regulate the flow of clean air into the room as well as removing dirty and dangerous air from the room so the surrounding environment remains healthy and comfortable to live in.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what is duct, and also the types of ducts that are available, let’s dive in!

What is Duct?

Duct, in the context of ventilation and air cooling systems, refers to a series of passages used to flow air from one place to another.

Duct is an integral part of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system that regulates temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality.

It consists of various types of passages made of different materials, such as metal, plastic, or fiberglass, according to the needs of the installation and the environmental conditions in which the passage is installed.

In HVAC systems, duct serves as a link between air control units, such as an air conditioner or a fan, and the room where the temperature and humidity will be regulated.

The air that enters the ducting can come from the outside (fresh air) or from the inside that is then processed as needed.

After passing through the process, air is redirected into the room through the ducting to keep the indoor air quality healthy and comfortable.

Also, it plays a role in removing dirty air, such as exhaust gasses from the kitchen or hot air from the machine, from inside to keep the air inside clean and fresh.

Thus, not only serves as a regulator of air flow, duct also serves as a filter of air that entering the room.

Also Read: “5 Types of Air Filters And Its Pros and Cons“

Types of Duct Materials

1. Galvanized Steel Ducts

This type of duct material is the most commonly used one. galvanized steel ducts is made of steel coated with zinc coating, thus making it having an advantages in strength and corrosion resistance.

This type of material further divided into three types:

External insulation ducts: Ducts with an outer insulation has an insulation layer that only protects the outer part of the channel. This makes it suitable for use in extreme temperatures or harsh environmental conditions.
External and internal insulation ducts: The duct is equipped with insulation layers both on the outside and inside of the canal, thus making it ideal for installations that require additional protection against air temperature, such as in HVAC systems in high-rise buildings.
No insulation ducts: This type of duct is usually used in indoor installations that do not require additional protection against air temperature. Although it does not have an insulation layer, this ducting remains robust and can be used in a variety of applications.

2. Polyurethane Ducts (PU)

This ducting is made of polyurethane material which is a light but strong material. The main advantage of PU ducting is its resistance to moisture and corrosion, so it is suitable for use in installations in environments with changing air conditions.

The PU ducting is also relatively easy to install and move, so it is suitable for temporary applications.

3. Textile Ducts

Textile ducting is made of a flexible and lightweight textile material. The main advantage of this ducking is its high flexibility, so it can easily be adapted to the shape and size of the room.

Textile ducting is typically used in temporary or indoor installations that require high flexibility in airway placement. Despite being flexible, these ductings remain strong and are able to flow air efficiently.

So there you go the explanation of what is duct and the types of duct materials!