Clamp Together Duct FAQs – Part 1 of 3

Kim Williams | February 18, 2021

clamp together duct faqs

Even though Clamp Together Duct has been around for a number of years now, the industrial ductwork industry is still learning about the many benefits of a fast and easy ductwork system.

We get asked questions daily about our Clamp Together Duct system and thought it would be a helpful idea to share some of those here on the US Duct blog. This 3 part series will cover the 15 most frequently asked questions about Clamp Together Duct and help you understand how powerful this product can be for you and your customers.

What exactly is Clamp Together Duct?

Clamp Together Duct is an industrial ducting system that uses an over-center clamp to join the rolled lipped ends formed onto the end of ALL duct components — pipe, elbow, branches, all fittings, and specially-fabricated parts. Further, the system is fully adjustable, utilizing the fact that a cut piece of pipe will slide into either the 11” adjustable sleeve or the end of any fitting. The pipe is then clamped to the sleeve or the fitting by using a rubber O-ring that secures the pipe to the fitting or sleeve as the clamp connects the two.

What sizes and materials does Clamp Together Duct come in?

US Duct’s Clamp Together Duct system is available in 3”-24” diameters, in light or heavier gauge (up to 10), and in SS, galvanized steel and carbon steel. The clamp together system is built with standard 5’ sections of pipe, reinforced at every connection with the stainless steel clamp. Elbows are available in all/any radius. Branches and fittings are made to requirement and desired configurations.

How ‘airtight’ is Clamp Together Duct?

The clamp gasket, available in rubber or optional synthetics, creates a tight seal. Optional peel and stick gaskets applied to the face of the rolled lip make for an even tighter connection.

If you are looking for a mist-tight seal (yes, there's a difference!), we also offer US Tubing. Similar to Clamp Together Duct, US Tubing is also a laser-welded, clamp connection style ducting system, but it achieves a tighter seal due to its v-shaped gasket, Vanstone edges, and torque-tightened clamps. For use in wet or oil mist applications, consider US Tubing.

I have heard Clamp Together Duct is fast but expensive. Is that true?

Straight pieces of spiral duct are cheaper than straight pieces of Clamp Together Duct but are normally of thinner gauge. Longer length spiral can install with fewer connectors but freight cost usually eliminates that advantage. Fittings (elbows, branches, etc.) are about the same when compared in similar gauges.

The competitive advantage for Clamp Together Duct is that it is so easy to install that anyone of any skill level can install the duct in approximately 50-70% LESS time than traditional sheet metal mechanic can install spiral or flanged duct. This makes the Clamp Together Duct very cost-effective. Additional savings are derived by minimizing waste associated with common cutting and fitting mistakes associated with duct that requires precision cuts.

The simple clamp connectors also allow for disassembly, cleaning, reconfiguration, and reinstallation — making Clamp Together Duct totally reusable over and over. When you compare the total cost of your system — materials, labor, waste, ongoing maintenance, etc. — Clamp Together Duct is very competitive.

I’ve heard Clamp Together Duct is lightweight.

Clamp Together Duct is a joining system. The duct can be made in virtually any gauge to accommodate the pressure and the material being conveyed.

Have more questions? Contact US Duct now for the answers!


The second in our three-part Clamp Together Duct FAQ series is available now. We’ll tackle these questions:

  1. Will Clamp Together Duct work for my application?
  2. I have another kind of duct now. How can I add Clamp Together Duct to my existing system?
  3. Since the Clamp Together Duct comes in prefabricated 5′ sections, how do I adjust the length?
  4. What about using slide gates with Clamp Together Duct?
  5. Does Clamp Together Duct work with flex hose?

Everything you need to know about Clamp Together DuctEverything You Need to Know About Clamp Together Duct

Clamp Together Duct has become a go-to ductwork system for many industrial applications, but many are still learning about the benefits of this fast and easy ductwork system. If you're a novice or interested in expanding your knowledge of the system — we've got your back.

From how it works to what applications it works best in, this guide gives you EVERYTHING you need to know about Clamp Together Duct (and some information you probably didn’t want or need).

Download the Guide