For many years, fibreglass has been the primary material used to insulate air duct systems. The objective is to ensure comfort and efficiency every time you run your air conditioning system. Fibreglass insulation ensures temperature control so that your HVAC can deliver cool or warm air that suits your ventilation needs. It also comes in handy for acoustical control, regulating the noise produced by the whole system. Lastly, fibreglass insulation conserves energy and prevents condensed water from damaging the ductwork. Here is a look at the various kinds of fibreglass duct insulation that you can buy:
Duct Wrap
Just as the name infers, duct wrap is applied to the outside surface of sheet metal duct. The blanket-type insulation comprises glass fibres bound together using thermosetting resin, and it can be used on rectangular or round ducting systems. One of the top benefits of the duct wrap insulation is the presence of a vapour-retardant face made using vinyl or scrim kraft. This ensures that your ductwork stays free of condensation water and mould, which often have an adverse effect on the energy efficiency of the ducting system. Note that mould poses health risks to the occupants in the building and keeping the ductwork mould-free does you a lot of good.
Duct Liner
Duct liner is used on the inner surface of sheet metal ducts where it offers optimal insulation. The liner comes in two forms. The first one is a flexible blanket that can change shape and align with any ductwork design. The second type of liner is a rigid board suitable for straightforward ducting systems that do not feature many bends. In most cases, duct liners vary in thickness from one-half of an inch to two inches depending on the insulation needs of your particular system. Installers will assess the condition of your ductwork before advising you on how thick the liner should be. Areas like kitchens with lots of temperature variation will ideally need thicker duct liners compared to bedrooms or living rooms.
Flexible Ducts
Flexible fibreglass ducts have an inner core reinforced with spiral wire for optimal support. They are wrapped with fibreglass for insulation and jacketed in a vapour retardant foil to keep out mould. Flexible ducts come in handy when you want to set up ducting systems in tight spaces within walls or the attic. For the best results, you should use them in restricted lengths, as they lack the strength and sturdiness that sheet metal ducts have.
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