![]() PVC clogs worse than metal.I believe there is a static issue with PVC because I have seen it used numerous times and every time there is a thick layer of lint lining the walls of the PVC pipe."Īdvantages of using metal dryer vent vent duct material "PVC is not an option, its not code approved or allowed by any dryer manufacturer. Like other clog-prone vent materials this is an unsafe option. Watch out: plastic piping might show up as a dryer vent in some homes but it is not code-approved and should not be used for this purpose. Solid plastic dryer duct installations using 4" PVC piping, bulkier, joints require gluing, cut with a hand saw.Watch out: do not use sheet metal screws that protrude through into the vent interior: they catch lint and increase the risk of dryer vent clogging and a subsequent fire. Smooth surfaces of solid metal duct work resist lint accumulation. Solid metal rigid dryer duct, steel: (shown above) functional, slightly higher cost, a bit more difficult to assemble, requires use of elbows to make bends handled by flex duct installations, more difficult to cut than aluminum or plastic, very durable, recommended for permanent and inaccessible installations in ceilings & walls.Smooth surfaces of solid metal duct work slow lint accumulation. Solid metal rigid dryer duct, aluminum functional, modest cost, easy to handle, but requires use of elbows to make bends handled by flex duct installations.Flex duct: semi-rigid metal flexible dryer duct, made of aluminum (lighter, less costly, easily bent and damaged if not handled carefully) or steel (a bit heavier, more resistant to kinks, crushing, dents during installation).This dryer duct option is not recommended. ![]() And like the plastic flexible "duct vent" material described above, the spiraling wire-supported surface of this duct clogs rapidly with lint. This material too is easily crushed, as you can see in our photo. Flex duct: mylar covered wire-ribbed plastic flex duct (photo at left), a product nearly identical to the flex duct described above, but more tear resistant.Here are other clothes dryer vent materials we have encountered: What's wrong with using this material at a clothes dryer? It is not safe, not durable, and not effective. Plastic duct is not a UL approved dryer duct material, not code approved and its use will void any dryer manufacturer warranty." Although we have observed this material widely used in homes as "dryer vent ducting" it should not be used for that purpose.Ĭranor elaborates: "Plastic" dryer duct" sold at various suppliers does not say on the packaging that it can be used for clothes dryer specifically says bathroom venting. DRYER EXHAUST VENT INSTALLATION & ELBOWSĬhoices of Clothes Dryer Exhaust System Duct Material & Sizeįlex-duct: plastic & wire flexible dryer vent duct (photo at above-left), a coil of spring wire covered with a thin, usually white, plastic.DRYER EXHAUST VENT DUCT MATERIAL & SIZE.CLOTHES DRYER VENT INSTALLATION - you are on this page.Clothes dryer exhaust duct material choices that you are likely to find at building supply stores include the materials listed below, and illustrated throughout this article. Most clothes dryer exhaust vent installations use 4" diameter vent piping, the minimum-allowed.īut the variety of materials and duct prices can fool you into making a bad or even a dangerous choice. Clothes Dryer Exhaust Vent Installation: Safe & Effective Installation of Clothes Dryer Exhaust Vent Ducts ![]() We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. We discuss types of dryer vent ducting and dryer vent doors or opening protection devices. We include a list of clothes dryer fire safety hazards and other clothes dryer installation or maintenance mistakes that are either unsafe or that interfere with effective, economical dryer operation. ![]() This article series describes good practices for clothes dryer vent installation, lint traps, wall vents, filters, and screens. How to install a clothes dryer exhaust vent: choosing materials, routing vent ducting, dryer vent duct connections, dryer vent termination at an exterior wall.Īlso we explain and illustrate problems that result from improper dryer vent installation design, materials, routing, and filtering including dryer vent clogging, clothes dryer fire hazards, building moisture and mold problems, and increased clothes dryer operating costs due to poor or blocked dryer vents. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.Ĭlothes dryer exhaust vent installation codes & specifications: InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. ![]()
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