Choosing to have dampers installed to help maintain and control the air movement throughout your home or business will prove to be an economical and environmentally friendly decision. Dampers are manufactured with mobile plates that adjust either automatically or manually to guide air through a building or block it if needed. They are often used for climate control in individual rooms as well. After they have been set up inside HVAC ductwork, a chimney or other air handling equipment, dampers can also work to improve the indoor air quality of a structure. There are an assortment of dampers to pick from depending on the type of building and its airflow requirements, and you can further select size, shape, finish, etc. Below are a few examples of the most common materials that dampers are made of.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel dampers are a great choice for a wide variety of needs and industries. Stainless steel is proven to hold up its strength under even drastically high temperatures and has excellent durability, resistance to corrosion and flexibility, which makes it useful in many situations. If you’re looking to place a damper in a building that specifically requires hygienic conditions (laboratories, pharmaceutical processing plants, etc.), stainless steel might be the material to consider. It will also retain its shiny appearance without being anodized or painted. Stainless steel dampers can be a bit more costly to produce at first, but in the long run, their low maintenance and long life expectancy makes up for it. One last thing to think about when it comes to this material is its heaviness.
Aluminum
Aluminum dampers are a low cost alternative that are even easier to maintain. Aluminum doesn’t rust and is noted for its corrosion resistance, which allows dampers that are produced from the material to have a long life and keep its original aesthetic appeal without deteriorating from the elements. A big advantage of aluminum is its ability to be recycled and reused numerous times without ever losing its properties. Aluminum dampers are flexible, durable and much lighter than one made of stainless steel. While aluminum is definitely strong enough for many kinds of equipment, you should also consider that it is not as strong as steel and tends to expand in higher temperatures.
Galvanized
Galvanized dampers are made of steel that has been coated with zinc to make it corrosion resistant. This makes an attractive option for outside applications since they can endure weather elements and shouldn’t rust for decades to come. The zinc coating also allows for galvanized steel dampers to be protected from impact and abrasions. While galvanized steel is stronger than aluminum, it will eventually begin to rust.
There are many advantages to each of these materials, and whichever you choose to have your dampers made of, you’re sure to benefit from your new ventilation system.
