fabric vs metal

Metal systems distribute high volumes of air via individual diffusers creating "pockets" of conditioned air, this often causes drafts, hot & cold zones inefficient distribution of conditioned air   

With a FabricAir Dispersion System air is evenly distributed through the entire duct network, resulting in a 24.5% more efficient performance than metal .....more about Fabric Duct efficiency

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Advantages of Fabric Ducts

Lightweight
Our standard fabrics weigh less than 300 g/m2.
This minimizes the load on the structural feature from which the system is suspended and provides good working conditions for the employees who are installing and maintaining the system.

Better Indoor Climate
Our air dispersion technology encompasses a wide selection of fabrics and flow models which can be combined for maximum comfort in the occupied space in virtually every type of project. Our solutions are dimensioned to disperse the air without drafts and with the correct distribution of temperature. In addition, our solutions generate no noise and are very easy to clean.

Silent Operation
A well-engineered fabric dispersion system generates no or very little noise. This makes the product the preferred choice of consulting engineers, architects and other project managers - particularly in areas where the strict observance of noise-levels has a high priority.

No Condensation
Fabric dispersion systems made of permeable fabrics allow the release of air through the surface. This prevents condensation because the temperature on both sides of the material will be the same. Condensation is not formed even in cooling systems involving great temperature differences. This is why a fabric duct is the best choice for the food industry and others.

Transport of Rolled-up Ducts
Even large FabricAir® systems are conveyed easily and inexpensively to the installation site. As a result no unnecessary volume is conveyed because the ducts are rolled up, thus occupying a minimum amount of space.


Rapid, Low-cost Installation
Our systems are specially designed for fast installation. As the fabrics also weigh next to nothing, this greatly reduces the installation time.

In addition, FabricAir® Dispersion Systems do not require spending lots of time on balancing the system after the installation - everything has been defined in advance.

Stable Raw-material Prices
Fabric prices follow normal market trends and wild, unpredictable fluctuations are uncommon. This stabilizes prices.

Easy to Clean
Fabric ducts can be washed in industrial washing machines. The ducts are easy to dismantle and re-install, which reduces maintenance costs.


Fine Design and Color Options
Fabric dispersion systems from FabricAir® are available in a wide selection of standard colours at no extra cost. Several of our fabrics are also available in special colours. There are many options for designing a stimulating interior.

Disadvantages of Metal Ducts

Heavy
Conventional sheet metal ducts are substantially heavier than fabric ducts. This has a significant effect on the ceiling structure. Scaffolding, hoisting equipment and extra labour during the installation procedure increase costs.

Less Flexible Technology
Conventional systems often generate either un-ventilated stagnant zones in the room or areas with drafts in the occupied zone. The low level of flexibility often makes it next to impossible to establish an ideal indoor climate based on a conventional solution.


Generates Noise
The high velocity of air passing through grilles and diffusers often generates irritating noise. In addition, conventional systems sometimes transmit noise because of the resonance of the materials.



Duct Insulation Required
Condensation forms on sheet-metal surfaces - which increases the risk of bacterial growth, corrosion and dripping if the duct is used in projects where the temperature of the supplied air is below the dew point. This is resolved by insulating the duct - a solution both expensive and time-consuming.


Heavy High-Volume Transport
One of the biggest single costs of a conventional system is conveyance to the installation site. This is not only due to the fact that the ducts are heavier, but particularly because a lot of ’air’ is conveyed along with the inflexible ducts, which is expensive.


High Installation Costs
The combination of heavy sheet-metal ducts and the extra labour required for installing grilles and diffusers results in high installation costs. In addition, once the installation has been carried out, considerable resources are spent on balancing the system.




Soaring Steel Prices
High steel prices reacting to turbulent world markets result in unpredictable project costs.

Difficult to Clean
Sheet-metal ducts are difficult and time-consuming to clean. This significantly increases the cleaning cost, which means that the cleaning is postponed or - as usually happens - never done at all.


Requires Painting - for a Surcharge

In terms of colours, the flexibility is theoretically just as great as the number of fabric systems. But painting a fixed duct system is an added cost.