Dryer vent exit "flap" ideas?

[Gilligan]

Obviously I can put some metal "mesh"/chicken wire or whatever to keep critters out but I'd like to do it like a dryer or oven vent and have it open and close with the flow as so heat/cold from outside doesn't just dump into my shop.

What is everyone else doing that has a climate controlled shop?

[Inkworks]

Your local hardware shop should have ready made vent flaps available.

[Frog]

That's what I have on my outside wall from my dryer.

[Gilligan]

Ah, online only, that's why I haven't found it in my browsing around the hardware stores.

[ScreenPrinter123]

They have them at Home Depot for sure.  When you get into the larger sizes, like 12" diameter ones, you would probably have to go to a specialized ducting place -- If memory serves correct, HD only has up to 8" or 10".

[Prosperi-Tees]

Would you need a fan of some sort to pull the air and allow the flap to open? This is something I will be tackling soon as well but mine will have to be suspended in the air along the wall and blow out the roll up door.

[Gilligan]

Hmm... I'll have to check closer and maybe see if I can "bother" an employee to find the right one.  I should only need 8" maybe 10".

Gerry, my dryer has a small fan on it.  If that can't push it open then I'll get another in-line fan to pull it out.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Are you gonna use flex hose?

[Gilligan]

I don't think so... it's a pretty straight, easy, short run.

[ScreenPrinter123]

While I think what has been mentioned is the best route, because it will protect from rain getting into the pipe, among other living creatures, you could also do what we did in a duct that doesn't have enough space in between one wall and the wall of a building behind us: put a butterfly damper inside the ducting, drill two holes on either side of the hinge of the damper, and bolt and nut down a spring that has the proper tension such that it will flex open when your blower is blowing your exhaust out and flexes back shut when it's not being blown open.

I'd strongly recommend the rigid over the flex ducting having employed both....but what do I know.

[Prosperi-Tees]

I was thinking of running rigid up off the dryer and then this after that and route it to the rollup door. I need it to flex some how because I am not going to cut a hole in the wall so it needs to sort of swivel out and in the rollup door.http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Heating-Venting-Cooling/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1vZ25ecodZasgqZ25egxh/R-100182573/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=flex&storeId=10051

[mk162]

check the flex duct since it's usually rated for a lower temp.  They have high temp stuff, but I am not sure Home Depot carries it, you might have to go to an HVAC supply place.  Ty are actually not even recommending flex duct for clothes dryers anymore.

I put our duct in with regular ducting, works great, I then insulated the outside...this is of course on the gas dryer, where the stuff coming out is 400+

I am eventually going to get a blower to take the heat off the belt exit.  Should make life a little cooler in the shop.

[killergraphics]

I'm using the same as the rest.

Get a roll of this

http://www.amazon.com/3311-Foil-Width-Length-Silver/product-reviews/B000HBOYZO

and tape the joints together or they will work themselves loose.

[Rockers]

Would you need a fan of some sort to pull the air and allow the flap to open? This is something I will be tackling soon as well but mine will have to be suspended in the air along the wall and blow out the roll up door.

My guess is that depends on your dryer. Our gas dryer does not need a fan to pull the air as long as the ducting is not longer then 25 ft. We managed to make our ducting just under 25 ft with 2 90 degree bends.

[tonypep]

This reminds me of the pigeons that used to sneak their way into our Ray Paul up in New England. They make a disturbing sound when firing up on Monday mornings.