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HVAC Contractors Using Fiber Glass Duct Board After Rise in Price of Scrap Metal

A sharp rise earlier this spring in the cost of steel led many HVAC contractors to choose fiber glass duct board over sheet metal for construction projects, according to Renee Chesler, director of Mechanical Insulation Business for CertainTeed Insulation Group.

Headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, CertainTeed Corporation is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — the Supplier 100 of NAHB.

The cost of scrap steel increased some 30% by April, said Chesler, as overseas business entities bought up supplies of the material and the cost of natural gas used to process it was on the rise.

Fiber glass duct board has three main advantages over unlined sheet metal ducts, Chesler said: its ability to help reduce sound transmission in the air handling system; its thermally efficient delivery of heated or cooled air; and a reduction in condensation from temperature differences between conditioned air within the system and the air outside.

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From the contractor’s point of view, fiber glass duct board can be easily custom-fabricated at the job site, which eliminates the need to both store prefabricated ductwork at the shop and ship it in its completed form to the site, he said. Also, CertainTeed offers basic training to contractors on how to cut, groove and fabricate duct board.

The light weight of duct board also enables installers to handle, lift and install sections with less difficulty than heavier sheet metal duct, he said. There are no sharp edges to be concerned about and minor adjustments are easily made on site.

To learn more about this issue and the solutions available to HVAC contractors, call CertainTeed Sales Support at 800-223-8990 or contact your local CertainTeed representative.

This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.

 
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