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Aluminum Vs. Galvanized Duct for Dryer Vent

Sydnee R. Crain

Dryer manufacturers recommend using rigid steel tubing for dryer vents. Both aluminum and galvanized steel work in these applications. Plastic and flexible tubing can be less efficient and can actually trap lint, which can decrease the dryer's efficiency and can be a fire hazard.

Function

Waiting For The Clothes Dryer

Dryer vents remove warm, moist air from the appliance and out of the home.

Facts

Both aluminum and galvanized steel offer smooth interior surfaces that resist the buildup of lint, and both materials provide rust and stain resistance.

Application

Whichever material is used, it is important to take the the shortest route possible and the one that offers the fewest bends. Both distance and turns can become lint collection points. The total distance of tubing should not exceed 25 feet from the dryer to the outside wall.

Cost

Galvanized steel is generally less expensive than aluminum. This could be a consideration for longer runs of tubing.

Durability

Aluminum is a softer metal and tends to dent and bend more readily than galvanized steel.