The Evolution of Dryer Venting

Over the past 4 decades, the most common practice for venting clothes dryers was the use of vinyl ducting. Over the years through new technologies, there have been many different products developed for venting dryers. With the introduction of aluminum foil, dryer venting manufacturers were able to make significant progress towards heat and flame resistance.  The most commonly used aluminum foil product was designed with a polyester lined core.

Recently in the last 6 years, there has been a major breakthrough in flexible ducting pertaining to dryer venting specifically.  Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) developed a standard called Clothes Dryer Transition Duct – 2158A.  It revolutionized the dryer venting industry.  For the first time, a flexible duct was approved for both gas and electric dryers.  Rigid pipe and semi-rigid ducts have been endorsed by dryer manufacturers from the beginning.  Standard 2158A opened up new opportunities for flexible ducting which is much more consumer friendly.   

UL Approved Clothes Dryer Transition Duct was developed to protect consumers from the potential hazard of DRYER FIRES. This is becoming an increasingly serious problem due to the use of non UL APPROVED DRYER VENTING PRODUCTS.  Vinyl Ducting is NOT recommended for clothes dryer venting.  Ducting should be cleaned periodically.

There is only one duct that has U.L. approval for clothes dryers and that’s Clothes Dryer Transition Duct which Dundas Jafine has been manufacturing for over 5 years under the brand name ProFlex.  ProFlex is U.L. 2158A Listed and is manufactured with a 4 ply aluminum foil laminate (aluminum foil outside, aluminum foil inside) that is flame resistant with a maximum temperature of 285°F.

Recently, dryer manufacturers have elected to market their own brand of UL Approved Clothes Dryer Transition Duct.

If you are not prepared to use aluminum rigid pipe, the only product safe enough to use to vent dryers is a fully UL Approved Clothes Dryer Transition Duct.