Getting a range hood sounds nice and fun. You won’t have any more grease buildup, smoke, and fumes in your house. Best of all, the smell of cooking won’t linger, especially if the smell isn’t pleasant.
But to get the most out of a range hood, the thing that comes right after the fan, filter, and exhaust is the ductwork. Have you heard a saying that goes like this, ‘more the horsepower, better the run’? No? Well, what we are trying to say is, if you have a good duct system, your range hood will perform even better.
So can you use semi rigid duct for range hood? We know that PVC and flexible ducts are out of the question. But semi-rigid duct is a better version of both worlds having aluminum in them. So it will be a better and inexpensive option. But the thing is, they are not as durable as rigid ducts and will get damaged faster than any other ducts. So you cannot use a semi-rigid duct for your range hood.
Let’s talk in detail about it.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Semi Rigid Duct For Range Hood
As we mentioned already semi-rigid ducts are made out of a combination of aluminum and flexible materials. Although aluminum is durable in some cases, they are not good enough to clean, and run for a long time and isn’t at all reliable for years to come.
Here are the key points why you should not use a semi-rigid duct for your range hood.
1. Less Durability
Aluminum is good for a lot of reasons. They can be good insulators for foods, can be a great material to twist and turn, and can be inexpensive. But when it comes to durability, that’s not their strong point. Especially when they are used in sealed duct situation where grease, moisture, and fume is involved, and if they are flexible, man they do die pretty fast! And you don’t want to change the whole duct every 6 months or so.
2. Not Efficient Enough As Rigid Duct
Rigid ducts are made out of stainless steel or galvanized steel. Which are way more durable and efficient than a semi-rigid duct. They are easy to clean, don’t accumulate or let go of themselves to grease and fume, and can go for years to come. Decades to be exact.
So what are you going to go for? A 6-month inexpensive solution that will ruin the house and kitchen when changing or the one that requires occasional cleaning and won’t let you down?
3. Not Easy To Install And Clean
Yes, semi-rigid ducts are lightweight and flexible, as they are the best of flexible ducts and aluminum combined. But while you are putting it up, they are not that easy to install. And the time and effort they will take, and run only for 6 months to a year, is actually not worth it.
Rigid ducts are sturdy and flexible. Due to their full-on metal construction, they won’t get jammed midway while putting up. And you won’t have to change them every year or month.
4. Usability Time Goes Down To Only Months
We already mentioned that semi rigid ducts don’t go over 6 months to a year. Well, sometimes the time even goes down to a few months. As semi rigid ducts can’t handle grease, fume, and heat as well as rigid ducts, they will perish faster than even you expect it.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions and Answers)
Can you use semi-rigid aluminum duct for range hood?
No. Although you can use a semi-rigid aluminum duct thinking it is metal and will withstand time, it won’t. The money you are saving on the duct will come back biting you within a few months and you will have to change it from top to bottom. So it’s not worth it.
Is it OK to use flexible duct for range hood?
No. Flexible ducts are made out of flimsy materials that don’t deal nicely with heat and grease. Even semi-rigid ducts can handle more heat and grease than flexible ducts. So better not use them at all.
What kind of duct do I need for range hood?
You should use a rigid duct for your range hood. Which is made out of galvanized steel or stainless steel. Also, make sure the diameter is around 3¼” x 10″, or 6″. Do not use plastic, flexible, or any other material ducts as they won’t last long. Some range hoods require a 10” ducting system, so make sure you read the manual for the required ducting before you buy them.
Conclusion
A range hood is as good as its venting. And ducting is the main component of it. Sure the inexpensive ones are great and don’t cost you much. But if you value your home and safety, and if you don’t want moisture and grease to damage it, then you would go for a rigid duct over any other ducting system.
