You've probably never given a second thought to your air ducts – but we have. Air ducts come in different sizes, shapes, and materials. Why are there so many different kinds of ducts? Because each type of air duct serves a different purpose and has different strengths and limitations. To the everyday consumer, this might come as a surprise – and it is probably slightly overwhelming. But your local HVAC professionals have all the answers to help you outfit your building with the appropriate ductwork.
You might have heard your HVAC professionals discuss round vs rectangular ductwork – but what is the difference? And which one is right for your needs?
Round HVAC ducts are definitely the more common type of ductwork – and not without reason. There are many advantages to round ducts, from increased airflow, quick installation, and lower costs. If you're trying to create a quiet, appealing workspace for your employees and customers, then round duct work is definitely the number one choice.
However, certain situations do not allow for round ductwork. Why? Round ducts take up more height than do rectangular or square ducts. This means that in tight spaces, round hvac ducts just won't fit. It can also become unappealing to the eye when trying to connect the fan coil to the main duct, which means connecting round to square duct openings.
So, when is it okay to use rectangular ductwork? As mentioned before, rectangular ducts are necessary whenever you've got a tight space that won't allow for the height of round ducts. These square ducts also fix the issue of the ugly connection between fan coil and main duct.
Okay, so why aren't we using square ductwork all the time? Well…. That's because rectangular air ducts have a few big drawbacks. They allow for more noise to escape from the duct, which can cause a lot of problems if you're trying to create a safe and quiet employee environment. Rectangular HVAC air ducts also cost more to install initially, which can put a dent in your company's pocket.