Ducting Solutions for Home Ventilation Systems

A ventilation system is only as good as the ducting used!

At BPC Ventilation we supply a comprehensive range of quality ventilation systems and ducting solutions, we can design a system to suit any type of property.

There are two types of ducting system:  Radial or Branched System

Radial Semi Rigid Ducting:

Radial ducting is the latest innovation for ventilation systems, it provides a quieter, more efficient ventilation system compared to a rigid ducting system.

A radial ducting system is made up of smooth bore pipes that are crushproof, semi flexible and have zero air loss. Radial ducting is anti-static and antibacterial lined, it connects each room to a manifold and is available in circular (75mm and 90mm) and oval (51mmx114) options. Radial ducting is suitable for all properties including timber framed houses, passive houses and is suitable for homes where space is limited.

Advantages: 

• Zero air leakage ductwork (pipe ends are mechanically fitted with rubber seals)
• Up to 85% less connections than traditional Rigid Ductwork
• 50 percent faster installation rate than traditional branch systems (PVC/metal)
• Easy to install
• No sealants required
• Low air resistance
• No crosstalk between rooms (Quieter)
• Smaller pipework than traditional branch systems
• Hygienic smooth inner surface
• Easy to clean
• Supplied in 50m coils
• Crushproof up to 16 Kn/m
• SAP appendix Q recognised
• Suitable for DIY installation
• Installation recommended below loft insulation to improve heat retention compared to older systems

Do not confuse radial ducting systems with semi rigid aluminium or flexible ducting.

Branched Ducting: 

Solid rigid (branched) ducting is commonly used and is a cost-effective ductwork solution for ventilation systems.

Branched ducting comes in a range of options including round, flat or thermal. Sizes are typically 125mm or 150mm which branch out with T-pieces into various rooms. PVC Rigid ductwork has been used for over 50 years in installation is domestic applications.

Advantages:

• Available in diameters from 100mm to 300mm
• Cost efficient
• Excellent air flow rates
• PVC range suitable for DIY installations
• Suitable for exposed locations
• SAP appendix Q listed
• Can be commercially cleaned
• Galvanised metal suitable for traditional systems
• Installation above the loft insulation and insulated separately is recommended
• Galvanised metal has high crushability
• PVC rectangular range available for areas of limited height.

There are a couple of pipes to choose from with the branched system: Round PVC Pipe and Flat PVC Pipe.

Round PVC Piping (100mm, 125mm or 150mm)

Round PVC ducting is the most traditional form of ducting, it has excellent airflow with minimum pressure loss.

Flat PVC Piping (204mm x 60mm or 220mm x 90mm)

Flat PVC ducting is the perfect option for use between studwork walls and below concrete ceilings allowing for ceiling heights to be maintained.

Thermal Ducting:

Thermal ducting is commonly used within a Radial Ducting System, it is constructed of EPP foam which provides high thermal resistance with a quality air supply.

Advantages:

• Full range including round and rectangular solution
• Easy to install with a simple push fit
• Very low leakage
• No need for extra Rockwood or foil wrapping
• No requirement for additional clamping

There are two types of thermal piping including Round EPE Foam Pipe and Flat EPE Foam Pipe.

Round EPE Foam Pipe (125mm and 160mm)

Flat EPE Foam Pipe (220mm x 90mm)

Ducting Accessories:

BPC Ventilation also provide accessories for your ducting needs including insulated flexible ducting and thermal insulation with a silver foil face.

Flexible Ducting:

Flexible ducting ranges from 100mm to 200mm insulated flexible ducting is used for light duct applications and is available in various types. Flexible ducting is not recommended or approved for installation in new houses.

• Insulated Aluminium - 25mm foil faced insulation with an aluminium core, used for numerous types of ventilation systems including MEV units and extractor fans in cold areas
• Insulated Acoustic Aluminium - 25mm foil faced insulation with a perforated inner core, used as silencers to ventilation units and as treatment towards noise transfer between room
• PVC - Not normally used in quality ventilation systems
• Aluminium - Normally used for final connections between solid rigid ducting and air valves 
• Combi - PVC coated aluminium for better durability, normally used for final connections between solid rigid ducting and air valves

Thermal Insulation:

Thermal insulation is commonly used to insulate pipes which are outside the heated enveloped (cold areas). All solid rigid ducting outside the heated envelope have to be insulated and there are two types of insulation.

Bubble Wrap - A cost efficient solution of air bubbles trapped between silver foil faces providing good reflective properties but poor thermal resistance (not recommend or approved for new builds).

25mm Duct Wrap- The original insulation used in both domestic and commercial applications. With good thermal properties and sound attenuating the 25mm thermal wood insulation with a foil face is renowned as the best insulation available and is used in both domestic and industrial ventilation systems. This is an expensive option in both the product cost and the time taken to install but is a lifetime option.