Looking to install air conditioning ducts as part of your new home construction project? AC ducts are a network of conduits that are used to extract and supply air to the interior spaces of buildings. The warm, stale air is drawn into the air conditioning system via the return air vents while the cooled air is delivered to your home via the supply air vents. 

If you're considering using sheet metal ductwork for your air conditioning installation, aluminium is one of the two main material options available for you to choose from: the other option is galvanised steel. 

Aluminium sheet metal ducts are generally preferred over their galvanised steel cousins because of the many unique benefits they can bring. Continue reading to learn about the many different advantages that aluminium sheet metal ducts have to offer.

Aluminium sheet metal ducts are lightweight

One of the biggest advantages of aluminium over galvanised steel is its lightweight design. Aluminium is about 3 times lighter than steel, meaning that AC ducts can be made thicker and stronger without as much weight as steel. This helps to reduce the AC duct loads imposed on buildings.

Aluminium sheet metal ducts are anti-corrosive

While steel sheet metal ducts offer more strength than their aluminium counterparts, their strength can be compromised by corrosion. That's why they're usually dipped into zinc during a hot dipping process to make them corrosion resistant.

Aluminium, on the other hand, is naturally resistant to corrosion. When exposed to the air, aluminium chemically reacts with oxygen to form an oxide coating that protects the underlying metal from corrosion. This helps prevent AC ductwork from corrosion damage.

Aluminium sheet metal ducts are non-porous

The porous nature of steel surfaces can make it difficult to keep AC ducts clean as they encourage the growth of mould and other biological microorganisms. Left unaddressed, bacteria-infested air ducts can exacerbate the condition of allergy sufferers, asthma patients, and household members living with respiratory diseases.

Since the surface of aluminium is smooth and non-porous, it discourages bacterial growth and allows for easy cleaning of AC ducts.

Aluminium sheet metal ducts are cheaper to install

Because aluminium is a metal and does not require the additional fabrication processes needed to make steel by combining iron, carbon, and other materials, it is generally cheaper to use for AC duct installation. What's more, the lightweight design of aluminium sheet metal ductwork helps make the installation process easier, leading to further financial savings.

While aluminium sheet metal ducts offer many advantages over galvanised steel versions, the latter still have their place in today's air conditioning applications. If you'd like to learn more about your air conditioning duct options, talk to an industry expert about your needs.

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