“SSti-Flex 1650”
“Aluminum Flex 400”
“SS-Flex 800”
Screw Clamps
Dryer Ducts
Table of Contents:
1. What Is a Dryer Duct?
2. Residential vs. Commercial Dryers
3. What Is an Industrial Dryer?
4. Which Is Better: Flexible or Rigid Dryer Ducts?
5. What Is the Best Duct to Use for a Dryer Vent?
6. Can You Use an HVAC Duct for a Dryer Vent?
7. Are Silicone Flex Hoses Good for Dryers?
8. Should You Use Plastic Ducts for Dryers?
What Is a Dryer Duct?
A dryer duct is a type of flexible hose used to vent hot air, moisture, and lint from a dryer machine to the outside of a building. Drying is defined as the vaporization of absorbed moisture from wet materials. The basic process revolves around transferring heat generated from a source, such as metal coils or natural gas, to the material, which causes the absorbed water to vaporize. The evaporated water is transferred and carried by the surrounding air or inert gas through a flexible duct and vented outside. Removing all the excess heat and moisture from the machine prevents the growth of bacteria on the dried materials and protects and maintains the quality of the machinery and materials. There are two installation methods when installing flexible ducting for dryers: outdoor and indoor. An outdoor dryer duct is a flexible duct connected to your dryer, and the hose is lined and attached to the exterior of the wall, expelling hot air, moisture, and lint outdoors. On the other hand, an indoor dryer duct is installed inside the wall throughout a building and has a filter to trap lint and moisture to prevent the two from getting stuck inside and accumulating bacteria such as mold.
No matter what kind of installation method you choose for your dryer, cleaning out the lint filters is important because lint is highly flammable and can cause more damage than you might think. If the dryer duct is clogged full of lint, it can entrap hot air into the machine and part of the ductwork, and if the inner temperature reaches a critical high, the heat could ignite the lint and everything within. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), dryers cause an average of 16,000 fires yearly, and lint-related fires are the leading cause. Considering the number of accidents for residential and commercial dryers, it is incredibly vital for industrial dryers to expel heated air through a flexible dryer vent because they operate at a much higher capacity and heat level than their counterparts.
Residential vs. Commercial Dryers
When it comes to understanding the differences between residential and commercial dryers, it mainly falls into their operating capabilities. Whether it is a residential or commercial dryer, both types use a heating element such as metal coils or natural gas to generate heat and dry a load of clothes during a drying cycle. The most noticeable differences are in their size, capacity, and functional efficiency. Commercial dryers have a larger drying cylinder size, higher airflow, and higher BTU ratings that can significantly reduce drying time and increase the efficiency of the laundry process. Residential dryer units are designed for individual usage, and as a result, they are meant for less frequent usage than their commercial counterparts. However, while commercial dryers perform at a more optimal rate, they are larger and more durable than residential models and require more space to be placed and installed. With that in mind, commercial dryers would require larger-sized flexible ducts to accommodate their channel size. Depending on your application, commercial dryers are better suited to handle larger quantities at a time. However, it comes at the cost of space and additional charges.
“SS-Flex 800”
“SS-Flex 800”
- Lightweight & hand bendable allowing for elbows and turns to be formed easily during installation
- Self-supported construction allows for bends to stay in place
The “SS-Flex 800” is a single-ply helically corrugated stainless steel hose with a four-ply finished seam that is folded flat and crimped, allowing for excellent tightness and strength. Unlike other forms of steel, stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain when it comes into contact with moisture. Stainless steel is essentially low carbon steel, which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is this addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique corrosion resisting properties. This flexible steel hose is also very lightweight allowing for easy installation. The hose’s flexibility allows for this stainless hose to be hand bendable, allowing you to easily create elbows and turns during installation. Because the stainless steel is resistant to weathering, moisture, corrosive fumes, and chemicals, this product exhibits excellent life.
The “SS-Flex 800” stainless steel hose is also very resilient to high and low temperature extremes. This flexible high temperature hose has a temperature range of -400 degrees to +800 degrees Fahrenheit. This truly wide temperature range gives this flexible steel hose great versatility, allowing it to be used in a large variety of industries. Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion and staining, low maintenance and familiar luster, makes it an ideal material for many applications. This flexible high temperature hose is also an aesthetic choice in commercial kitchens with exposed fume hoods.
“SS-Flex 800”
What Is an Industrial Dryer?
An industrial dryer is a high-powered device that removes moisture from products, materials, and mixtures. They are large, durable industrial machinery capable of drying high volumes of products efficiently with precision and control. These machines are often lumped together with industrial-grade clothes dryers, and while both machines incorporate the same level of power, they are used in different applications. Industrial dryers are used in industries such as food production, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles, metal fabrication, and automotive manufacturing. It is important to note that all these industries incorporate different variations of industrial dryers to cater to their specific needs and products, and the main differences between all the various types are based on the mechanism used to remove moisture, size, and drying capacities. However, these industrial dryers require hot air to be vented through sturdy and reliable ductwork.
“Bridge Clamps”
“Stainless Steel Connectors”
Which Is Better: Flexible or Rigid Dryer Ducts?
Flexible ducts are widely used as a dryer duct vent due to their accessibility, range of options, and easy-to-install nature. For most residential and commercial applications, a flexible hose is more than enough to handle the daily rigors of dryer ducting. While rigid ducting is made from sturdier materials such as stainless and galvanized steel, it is mainly designed to handle long-term and heavy-duty ducting within the industrial sector. With that in mind, rigid ductwork is considerably heavier than flexible ducts and requires a costly and time-consuming installation process. As a result, rigid ductwork is mainly geared towards those looking for a permanent solution for their dryer ducting needs. However, in most residential and commercial applications, the initial costs of installing rigid ducting outweigh its benefits because, in addition to a meticulous installation process, it requires the architecture of a building to be strong enough to support its weight. Most industrial machinery and applications choose flexible ducts over rigid ductwork for their flexibility and practicality. A dryer flex duct is meant to be a semi-permanent solution to a semi-permanent machine; as such, if the condition of a flexible duct has deteriorated to the point of no return, it can be easily replaced within a day. Despite some timely upkeep, flex hoses are a tremendous, cost-effective alternative to hard, rigid ductwork for any dryer venting needs.
What Is the Best Duct to Use for a Dryer Vent?
Aluminum flex ducts are among the most popular and widely used ducts for dryer vents due to their lightweight, cost-effective design. Made from single-ply aluminum and a corrugated aluminum alloy hose wall, aluminum flex ducts are readily available in a large assortment of inside diameter (I.D.) sizes and lengths. Aluminum hoses are ideal because of their resistance to metal fatigue, weathering, and extreme temperatures, making them perfect for residential and commercial dryer ducts. While aluminum hoses are not recommended for continuous flexing and stretching, their self-supporting construction allows them to be easily bent and formed during installation. For example, the “Aluminum Flex 280” is an excellent aluminum dryer duct that can be used for dryer ventilation due to its sturdy compressible design and natural resistance to high temperatures. The “Aluminum Flex 280” is classified as a semi-rigid duct, which means it offers both the flexibility and durability found in flexible hoses and rigid ducting. By using an aluminum dryer duct, you are using one of the most reliable and common types of dryer ventilation that can withstand the test of time, and should you ever require a new one for whatever reason, they are readily available wherever you go.
“Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible”
“Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible”
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- Designed for extreme temperature applications
- Resists metal fatigue, weathering, and most corrosive fumes and chemicals
The Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible comes prefabricated in a variety of different inside diameter (I.D.) sizes: 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″. The walls of this flexible metal tubing are 0.1 to 0.11 mm. thick, and it has an I.D. tolerance of 0 to 0.1 inch. Its end finishes are plain cut, and it comes in a classic, metallic-silver colorway. This flexible metal hose is also semi-rigid, which means that, once you bend it into a certain position, it will stay that way without any added support. Of course, you can bend it again to reform the duct into a different position. In sum, it’s likely that you will not need to use any accessories such as elbows to fit your Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible into looping or bent positions.
This flexible metal duct is designed with air and fume ventilation applications in mind, thus making it well-suited for a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial applications—especially those that intend to transport high-temperature matter. Wood stoves, for instance, need to properly ventilate hot smoke from the wood they burn. The Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible is a natural fit for these kinds of applications—especially since, oftentimes, a wood stove’s exhaust duct must navigate a circuitous pathway to reach the destination where it expels the stove’s fumes. Other common uses for this metal flex-duct include chemical fume ventilation, circuit board cooling, and air conditioner ducting, among other things.
“Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible”
Can You Use an HVAC Duct for a Dryer Vent?
While HVAC ducts are known for transferring temperature-controlled air throughout a building’s ductwork, they can also be utilized as a flexible dryer vent. However, it is crucial to note that HVAC ducts must match the size specifications and length to fit onto a dryer. These flex ducts also need to be made from materials that can handle the daily rigors of dryer ductwork. For instance, the “HVAC Ventilation Flex” hose is a fantastic example of an HVAC hose that can be utilized for dryer ducting. The “HVAC Ventilation Flex” hose is a high-quality and affordable flexible hose that is made from a combination of materials, including PVC, aluminum, and a layer of PET film. As a result of this design, the flexible hose provides excellent air movement and a high level of noise and heat insulation, all of which are critical when choosing a dryer duct. The “HVAC Ventilation Flex” hose can withstand a temperature range of -20 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and the flexible body of the dryer hose can be shaped and installed into various shapes and tight spaces, which makes it ideal for buildings with limited architectural space. With all of these factors in mind, the “HVAC Ventilation Flex” hose is a great example of an HVAC hose used as an effective alternative to your dryer ducting needs.
“Aluminum Flex 400”
Are Silicone Flex Hoses Good for Dryers?
Due to their strength and durability, silicone-based flex hoses are suitable alternatives for industrial dryers and are considered the most relied-on choice. As a material, silicone is a non-organic synthetic polymer that will not deteriorate as quickly when compared to organic elastomers. Depending on the application, a silicone-based dryer flex hose can last very long, and the material can be altered to suit any specific application. As such, silicone flex hoses come in different types and features that cater to specific applications. From an insulated design to a flame-resistant feature, silicone flex hoses are best suited for air-handling applications in harsh conditions. Silicone flex hoses can withstand an extreme temperature range from -65 to +500 degrees Fahrenheit, making them perfect for industrial dryers venting scorching hot air. Silicone hoses are also resistant to many oils, solvents, ozone, water, fungus, and alkalis and feature a non-kinking design that assures hot air is properly ventilated from industrial dryers. As industrial dryers require a flexible hose to vent out hot, damp air, they need a flexible hose that can handle the rigors of their daily applications.
“Aluminum Flex 400”
“Aluminum Flex 400”
- Self supporting construction allows for bends to stay in place
- Designed for extreme temperature applications
This flexible ductwork is lightweight, pliable and can easily be bent or manipulated by hand. Our aluminum lightweight ducting is self-supporting, which means the hose will maintain its shape when bent. This important attribute helps in the formation of elbows for easy bending and turning during the installation process. This same self-supporting construction allows any bends to remain in place without the use of additional support materials. One thing to keep in mind is that flexible ductwork should not be exposed to repeated bending and moving. Flexible ducts are not recommended for continuous flexing. Hose connectors are also available for the “Aluminum Flex 400” flexible ducts. Use hose connectors (straight unions) to fit additional pieces of hoses together for extra length.
“Aluminum Flex 400” flexible ducts can be purchased in either 5 or 10 ft lengths. The flexible ductwork is available in several internal diameter sizes including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 inches with internal diameter tolerances of -0.00 to +0.250 inch. These lightweight ducting can be utilized in a variety of applications that includes removal of the following: chemical fumes, circuit board cooling, exhaust systems, HVAC, oil mist removal, pollution control and ventilation. If you have any questions or need further assistance with these hi-temp hoses, please do not hesitate to contact one of our ducting experts today.
“SS-Flex 800”
“SSti-Flex 1650”
Should You Use Plastic Ducts for Dryers?
While plastic ducts are a cost-effective alternative for those looking for an affordable dryer flex duct, due to plastic’s material composition of plastic, the hose would slowly deteriorate and could melt from the ventilated heat. However, plastic coatings on poly-fabric flex hoses are a different story. Flexible hoses such as the “Acrylic Flex 325” are acrylic-coated ducts that are designed to handle industrial ventilation applications. The lightweight dryer hose is capable of handling temperatures between -20 to +325 degrees Fahrenheit and features a flame-retardant feature that follows the U.L. 94V-O fire standard. While acrylic flex ducts are not as sturdy when compared to other dryer ducts, such as silicone flex hoses, acrylic flex ducts are meant to serve as a cost-effective alternative to handle lower temperature applications. With that in mind, acrylic flex ducts are an excellent choice for residential and commercial dryers to take exhaust overhead.
“SSti-Flex 1650”
“SSti-Flex 1650”
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- Suitable for fume and air exhaust applications with extremely high temperatures up to 1650 Fahrenheit
- Excellent Flexibility & Crush Resistance
The “SSti-Flex 1650” is a titanium stabilized stainless steel hose that utilizes patented roll lock construction. The titanium stabilized stainless steel adds increased heat resistance to the already resilient qualities of stainless steel. The titanium compound and roll lock construction set these high temperature hoses apart from comparable products because it offers excellent flexibility and crush resistance. This stainless hose features durable corrugation, which allows the product to be dragged, bent, and reshaped without taking damage or breaking. Due to this stainless steel hose’s unique composition, it is suitable for chemical fume exhausting, high temperatures, and corrosive applications where both positive and negative pressures are involved.
The “SSti-Flex 1650” flexible stainless hose’s titanium stabilization makes this stainless duct much more heat resistant than similar hoses. These high temperature hoses can withstand temperatures up to +1650 degrees Fahrenheit. This product’s ability to withstand such high temperatures makes it suitable for handling high temperature materials and chemicals that other stainless steel hose are not capable of withstanding. It is also a choice in high purity gas movement, where the chemical makeup of the hose will result in minimal reaction with the media. 316 stainless steel contains an addition of molybdenum which gives it improved corrosion resistance. Stainless steel grade 316Ti contains a small amount of Titanium. Titanium content is typically only around 0.5%. The titanium atoms stabilize the structure of the 316 stainless steel at temperatures over 800°C. This prevents carbide precipitation at the grain boundaries and protects the metal from corrosion.
