motormitch
Well-known member
Anyone using fabric style duct work like DuctSox etc.. and thoughts on advantages, disadvantages?
Fabric ductwork
- Thread starter motormitch
- Start date
I'm an HVAC engineer and specify it alot. It's very economical compared to round spiral. Easy to take down and clean. Lots of colors available. Lots of different mounting styles. You can get the fabric that is porous and the whole run releases air rather than localized vents. You can also get it with localized holes to provide air to certain locations. Very good at attenuating air noise.
Look into some other brands that are comparable and probably cheaper.
Fabric air
FOF
Q sox
Ke fibertec
Last edited:
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motormitch
Well-known member
Wow, straight from the horses mouth so to speak. Thanks for all of the pointer to other brands. Is there one you favor over the others?
Honestly DuctSox has always been the best to work with but not necessarily the cheapest.
Weve recently started to stay away from FOF and Q Sox because of some bad experiences, but I wouldn't let that hinder you from looking into them.
We are dealing with them on a commercial level so maybe residential would be a little easier.
Weve recently started to stay away from FOF and Q Sox because of some bad experiences, but I wouldn't let that hinder you from looking into them.
We are dealing with them on a commercial level so maybe residential would be a little easier.
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motormitch
Well-known member
I'm not rich, but I do believe in spending a little more to get quality. Next problem is to find an HVAC subcontractor that knows how to use it. I'll check DuctSox web site to see if they keep a list of approved installers or something.
It's seriously as easy as it gets to install..... The most important part of the whole thing is to get the length you need exactly right because it can't be field modified. It has to be shipped to a distribution area to be modified. DuctSox will do a layout for you and give you a bill of materials.
danski0224
Well-known member
What kind of space do you intend to use the fabric ducting?
I can't see it being cost effective for a small space, unless you are drawn to the features of the product (colors, vent holes, etc). Small diameter (</= 20"), single wall galvanized spiral pipe is relatively inexpensive.
The added cost of gasketed metal spiral pipe and fittings washes when sealing non-gasketed pipe and fittings labor and materials is factored in.
For larger pipe and longer runs, the fabric stuff becomes more economical when installation labor and hanging/support requirements are factored in.
I can't see it being cost effective for a small space, unless you are drawn to the features of the product (colors, vent holes, etc). Small diameter (</= 20"), single wall galvanized spiral pipe is relatively inexpensive.
The added cost of gasketed metal spiral pipe and fittings washes when sealing non-gasketed pipe and fittings labor and materials is factored in.
For larger pipe and longer runs, the fabric stuff becomes more economical when installation labor and hanging/support requirements are factored in.
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motormitch
Well-known member
The building is 55'x70' so it is pretty large for me. Clearly not industrial warehouse size, but still big to most. Do you think that is makes sense for a building that size?
danski0224
Well-known member
It really depends on what you want to do.
The only way to find out is to have the system(s) designed and speced, then get some bids on those specs.
The only way to find out is to have the system(s) designed and speced, then get some bids on those specs.
pseudorealityx
Well-known member
Make sure you pick out a mounting system that doesn't give you the 'dirty laundry' look when the fan is off. Unfortunately, these tend to be the more expensive options. When the air is turned on, since most residential systems don't have any sort of soft-start, the duct can 'pop' as you turn the fan on. Since residential systems also almost always cycle the supply fan off and on, that can put wear and tear on the fabric duct over time.
Benefits:
-cost (sometimes)
-noise when running steady state
-lots of options for air distribution
Drawbacks:
-hard to modify design after install
-noise during start-up
-aesthetics (potentially)
-is more of an 'engineered system', where you have to go through a particular company and have them size our the #/frequency of outlets, or the type of porosity of the duct.
<--Another commercial HVAC engineer...
Benefits:
-cost (sometimes)
-noise when running steady state
-lots of options for air distribution
Drawbacks:
-hard to modify design after install
-noise during start-up
-aesthetics (potentially)
-is more of an 'engineered system', where you have to go through a particular company and have them size our the #/frequency of outlets, or the type of porosity of the duct.
<--Another commercial HVAC engineer...
Highbeam
Well-known member
I've been in a conference room, maybe 15x30, that was serviced by a duct like this. The blower turned on and you could see the bow wave as the air traveled and then POW it popped as it filled. While it was freaking cool and a neat idea, you've got to warn people about the pop.
High cool factor on fabric ducts. Almost as cool as a nicely constructed spiral vent trunk line.
High cool factor on fabric ducts. Almost as cool as a nicely constructed spiral vent trunk line.
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motormitch
Well-known member
Wow, thanks for the heads up on the popping sound. Since this is a "man cave", the sagging look might not be a big issue, but what is turning out to be trickier is finding someone with experience locally. Seems like this is still relatively new for folks around Austin....
pseudorealityx
Well-known member
It's going to be new for the residential contractors. The commercial side "should" have some experience.
danski0224
Well-known member
Fabric ducting in my area is typically hung from a horizontal steel aircraft cable.
It can be quite challenging to get enough tension on the cable to hold the fabric ducting without a sag in the support system. Some type of bracketry at each end usually needs to be fabricated. Don't forget to factor this into your pricing.
And yes, it gets dirty. So does metal duct. Because metal duct usually doesn't collapse when the equipment turns off, the dirt is less noticeable.
Due to the issues with hanging the fabric stuff properly so it looks good, taking it down to clean it can be more trouble than it's worth. That's before trying to figure out how to clean it.
From what I undestand about HVAC in Texas, it shouldn't be a problem finding some flex installers
Whether you go with fabric or metal, either system should be properly designed or engineered so it works.
pseudorealityx
Well-known member
http://ductsox.aiosolutions.cc/prod...rchitecture/performance-enhancement/skelecore
Here's what ductsox brand is doing now. I can only imagine how much that costs... but there's some other examples of hanging systems on that page.
Here's what ductsox brand is doing now. I can only imagine how much that costs... but there's some other examples of hanging systems on that page.
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motormitch
Well-known member
I just submitted a contact request to get an introduction to an HVAC vendor with experience in DuctSox so I can do a real cost comparison. Those stiffeners look cool, but I'll bet they are a pain in the **** when it comes time to remove the fabric for cleaning....
pseudorealityx
Well-known member
Yeah, I don't know if you need to go THAT crazy. I would suggest doing the 2 points at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. You'll still get the pop, but it won't be as bad.