The sheer number of pipe and ducting options can have you wondering what’s best as my industrial ducting. Should you opt for quick-fit clamp-together ducting, or should you try spiral ducting?
Quick-fit ducting works great for projects that may require you to change its components regularly. You can easily switch the parts or remove them for repair and maintenance. Spiral ducting, on the other hand, is aesthetically pleasing and comes at an affordable price that can help you achieve a project with limited resources.
While these perks can help you decide what best suits your ducting project, there are tons of other considerations you should make. We look at what makes each ducting option a good choice, enabling you to home in on the right fit. Get it (ha!)
Why Are Spiral Ducting Pipes Popular?
The ducting decision often comes down to spiral or quick-fit options. What makes the former option an ideal choice for some projects?
a. Aesthetic Appeal
While construction is integral to the stability of any structure, the looks also count. And in a world where aesthetic appeal is now taking the lead in boosting tenancy and enhancing project ROI (return on income), this is not something you can ignore. Compared to traditional ducting, spiral ducting is pleasing to the eye. And that means that you can leave it exposed, even in indoor settings, without running the risk of ruining the façade.
b. Affordability
In the introduction, we mentioned affordability, which is key to spiral ducting. Many people start projects with limited resources. Thus, the focus often leans on inexpensive yet sturdy materials to do the job. And what better choice than spiral ducting?
Spiral ducts are easier to seal and connect. This ease translates to shorter installation periods, a lower need for connections and hangers, and fewer labor costs. So, even on a low budget, you can complete a project without exceeding the bill of quantities.
You might be wondering if this affordability comes at the cost of low durability, as is the case with some cheap structural products. Not at all! Spiral ducting features a long lifespan and can last up to 25 years with good repair and maintenance!
c. Variability
Thanks to the spiral design, you can get a spiral duct that matches the requirements of your ducting system. That’s because manufacturers can customize these ducts to meet your specific needs. For example, when they’re used for dust collection ducting system. But what does this mean for your dust collection system?
- You can ensure there is optimal airflow and reduced pressure drop. That will keep the dust and air moving, ensuring the air in your space remains clean,
- There will be low air leakage coupled with a higher dust collection rate. These ducts are also easy to clean, which boosts the hygiene aspect of your dust collection system, and
- Getting a duct that matches your specifications can reduce the installation and operating costs, lowering your initial capital investment.
The variability also extends to materials such that you can get your duct in copper, stainless steel, aluminized steel, etc.
Why Quick Fit Ducting Has a Cult Following?
Spiral ducting obviously has many perks. So, why do many people still use quick-fit ducting?
a. Ease of Installation
Installation costs can be quite costly, especially when working on a large ducting pipe. So, using pipes that require minimal installation efforts can help you lower these costs. That’s just the thing with quick-fit ducts – they come ready for clamping, and you seldom need to use special tools to connect them. You clamp one part to the next, and your work is as good as over.
And the best part? – The fit is so precise that you do not need to worry about leakages. The parts are built to fit! This ease results in lower labor costs. Plus, it makes it easy to maintain and clean the parts, as you can remove one section at a time if needed.
b. Reusability
Wastage has been a prime topic in the last decade. Not only has it come up regarding environmental conservation but also with respect to project costs. How often have you spent money on materials you used and discarded within five years? If you are like many people, you can probably not quote an exact number as you may have done so at least once each year.
The beauty of quick-fit ducts is their reusability. That’s right! Given their ease of installation and clamping mechanism, you can remove and reuse them. So, if you need to move to another place, you can take the ducts with you. And that will save you a lot of money.
c. Hygiene
Industrial ducting pipes get dirty over the years. And this affects their ability to remove dirt from your space efficiently. The easiest way to keep the ducts working is to clean them. But how can you do this?
Quick-fit clamps are easy to remove and re-attach. So, you can remove the sections, clean them, and fit them back within no time. Let’s also take the example of dust removal ducts. If you can do this at least once a year, your dust remove duct system will work much better. And you can bid allergies and other adverse dust-resulting effects adieu.
The bonus in quick-fit ducts is their variability. You can get them in your choice, whether you prefer mild steel, stainless steel, or galvanized steel. Oh, and they last more than two decades with proper maintenance!
What Differentiates Quick-Fit and Spiral Ducting?
Spiral ducting and quick-fit ducting are strong contenders for any project. So, if you have trouble deciding what’s best for your project, consider the following key details:
i. Is cost a crucial factor in your project?
All projects have budgets, which may be variable or fixed. Based on market standards and holding all other factors constant, spiral ducting incurs lower costs in installation and maintenance. Quick-fit clamp-together ducting has a much higher capital investment. So, if your budget requires you to spend less on materials, you may need to work with spiral ducting. But if not, you can consider both options.
Please note that while the overall cost of spiral ducting tends to be lower than that of quick-fit clamping, the installation costs in spiral ducting can be higher. That’s because the fittings for both ducts incur almost similar costs, and quick-fit ducts only need clamps on specific sections.
ii. Is Adjustability Important?
Spiral ducts and quick-fit ducts have variable handling needs. Spiral ducts come in extensive lengths, which makes handling them quite challenging. They are thus best for projects that require you to install them and leave them in place. If you intend to move them around or weave them around rigid structures, you may face difficulties. This problem is also evident in loading and unloading the ducts. The longer they are, the more maneuvering you will need to ensure they do not get damaged.
Quick-fit ducts, on the other hand, are much easier to handle as they come in smaller sections that you clamp together. So, you should have an easy time when it comes to loading, offloading, and installing the ducts. And as mentioned in the introduction, you can remove and switch sections as you need.
So, will adjustability be crucial to your project? That will inform your need for either of the ducting options.
iii. Will You Incur Shipping Costs?
This consideration goes hand in hand with the adjustability concern. Because of the size and the handling requirements of spiral ducts, you can expect to pay a slightly higher price than what you would incur for quick-fit ducting.
iv. How Fast Do You Want to Assemble the Ducting?
For many people, assembly speed is not a concern. However, if you are working on limited time, you may want to consider the speed limits attached to both types of ducts.
Let’s start with spiral ducting. This ducting requires handling with care owing to its long lengths. Moreover, the joining methods are not easy. You can join the ducts using angle rings, collars, spiral fittings, or crimpings. All these methods require you to deal with an installer with sufficient welding experience.
Quick-fit ducts do not need as much expertise. Furthermore, installing them is easy as you do not lug one big piece at a time. So, if timing is an essential factor, it would be best to consider this key difference.
Conclusion
Both spiral and quick-fit ducts are stable and durable options for your project. However, they differ when it comes to the following factors:
- Spiral ducts are cheaper in the long run, while quick-fit ducts have lower installation costs,
- Spiral ducts require specialized handling due to their lack of adjustability, while quick-fit ducts do not,
- The shipping costs associated with spiral ducts are higher than those for quick-fit ducts, and
- The assembly process is faster for quick-fit ducts than in spiral ducts.
Your choice of duct thus depends on your budget, availability of specialized labor, and time required to complete the project. But all other factors held constant; these ducts are suitable for small and big projects.
