Diffusers and grilles are installed at the terminal points of ducts to introduce or extract air into or out of the conditioned space to achieve the desired indoor comfort. Grilles and diffusers come in dozens of different types and designs, each with its own unique characteristics and suitable for a particular application. This article will illustrate the main types of grilles and diffusers and provide insight into the selection process for the right type and size of air outlets.
The most common grille type is the simple grille used in single-zone ventilation systems. The basic concept behind the simple grille is to hvac grilles and diffusers deliver air into the conditioned space from the supply ducts through openings distributed over the grille area. The simple grille is usually made of metal sheets or panels which are connected to each other by hinges or latches. These simple grilles can be manually opened or closed and are generally mounted on the wall or ceiling of the conditioned space. There are two main types of simple grilles: the horizontal and vertical types. The horizontal type of simple grille is commonly used in commercial buildings as well as in residential buildings.
What Are Grillers?
Grilles are usually composed of vertical and horizontal vanes mounted on a rigid frame. Residential and commercial buildings commonly use various types of grilles, for example, on walls, ceilings, exposed ducts, and floors.
A Grisel’s horizontal and vertical vanes can be adjusted manually with adjustable blades. There are two types of adjustable grilles: single deflection, which regulates air flow vertically or horizontally, and double deflection, which includes both vertical and horizontally movable vanes. A fixed blade grille has non-movable vanes that can be straight or angled. Linear grilles have bars that run the length of the grille and cannot be moved. Most air return grilles do not have movable blades.
Often, adjustable grilles are the best solution for high-wall air outlets. When it comes to ceiling installations, grilles with curved blades that project the airstream parallel to the ceiling are usually preferred for ceilings less than 3 meters. A vertical air discharge is more likely to be preferred in spaces with high ceilings. To project conditioned air along walls, linear bar grilles are popular in floor applications. It is very important to consider the magnitude and frequency of the floor grilles’ loading expected to endure when selecting the correct floor grilles. The floor grilles should be placed in locations where passing building users are unlikely to step on them.
What Are Diffusers?
On the market, diffusers come in a variety of types. Diffusers are most often preferred for ceiling applications. Deflectors in diffusers can be oriented horizontally, radially, or even perpendicularly, depending on the configuration of their deflectors.
Round and square diffusers are very popular in gypsum ceilings or on exposed ducts because they consist of concentric rings or squares, respectively. As their name implies, perforated diffusers are made from a perforated plate and have approximately 50% of the face of the diffuser free of material.
Air discharge patterns can be produced vertically, two-way horizontally, or alternating horizontally, and they can meet a wide range of requirements. Diffusers with linear slots can consist of one or more slots (normally up to six). You can combine several slot diffusers to form long continuous pieces or even corner pieces.
Process Of Selecting a Grille or Diffuser
There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing what type and size of the grille to install for a specific application. In the first place, the type of air outlet will mostly depend on the pattern of air discharge desired. Air outlets that distribute air horizontally or vertically, or have adjustable or fixed blades, are dependent upon factors such as the use and geometry of the room, as well as specific places within the room where occupants are expected to pass by or sit. In addition to aesthetic criteria, the architecture or interior designer’s vision for the specific space plays an equally important role in decision-making. Typically, grilles and diffusers are made from steel or aluminum, which can be painted any standard RAL color.