Fiberglass vs Pleated Air Filters

Air is important for everyone, but in today’s world, its quality is decreasing, which is harming all living organisms, including humans. So with the decline of outside air quality, indoor air quality is also decreasing. Tackling this issue is very important. This is the reason humans have created air filters that purify the air full of contaminants in your home. Air filters are a medium between the air and the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. These filters are available in many types, like fiberglass and pleated filters.

When buying a filter, there are other things to be considered like what is the cost? Will it be compatible with your HVAC system? If these questions are coming into your mind, then don’t worry because luck is with you today. In this blog, you will learn about the two most used residential air filters (fiberglass and pleated filters), their advantages and disadvantages, and make the decision which is better for you. So make sure that you read carefully.

What Are Fiberglass Air Filters?

Fiberglass filters get their name because they are made of fiberglass materials like spun glass or non-woven glass, and these filters are also known as disposable or thrown away filters. The spun glass is made with silica, lime, and sodium, which are molten together and blown to make glass threads, and it is very fragile. Non-woven fiberglass is made with the help of a high-pressure jet of water, which brings and entangles the fiber together. Both of these materials are fragile, so a fiberglass filter is a delicate thing. It has a MERV rating from 1 to 4, which means they are good for residential uses and provide decent filtration. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass filters:

Advantages

• Budget-Friendly: One of the key advantages of fiberglass filters is that they are very budget-friendly. You can purchase them from any hardware store for just between $3 and $5.
• Availability: Fiberglass filters are easily available at most hardware stores, so you can purchase them when your old filter needs a replacement.
• Airflow: Using a fiberglass filter for your HVAC system can be beneficial in terms of airflow. These filters let the air pass through them easily, and due to this, your HVAC unit works properly.
• Eliminates Large Particles: The efficiency of eliminating large airborne particles from the air is the main benefit of a fiberglass filter. So these filters are suited for those who want decent filtration in their home.

Disadvantages 

• MERV Ratings: Fiberglass filters have a MERV rating between 1 and 4, and this is very low according to experts. So it may not provide the efficient filtration that you want.
• Lifespan: The life of fiberglass filters is very short and you can use these filters only for 30 days. This is one of the main disadvantages because you will be replacing your filters more often.
• Low Quality: The materials that are used to make fiberglass filters are very low quality; that's the reason they have a chance of getting damaged easily, which can cause problems for your HVAC system.
• Filtration Capacity: These filters use media of panel style, and due to this, these filters have a small surface, which doesn’t let them eliminate huge amounts of airborne particles.

What Are Pleated Air Filters?

Pleated filters got their name because they are made with paper or cloth that is folded or pleated in a small series of pleats, and this helps to increase their surface area of filtration, which increases their efficiency. The materials that are mostly used to make these filters are polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. Polypropylene, also known as PP, is a thermoplastic that is stress-resistant and has low density. Nylon and polyester are both types of fabric that are used to make pleated filters because of their durability. The MERV ratings of pleated filters range between 8 and 13, which makes them best for residential purposes. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Pleated AIR filters:

Advantages

• Filtration Capacity: Pleated filters have a large surface area for filtration, and this capacity to remove contaminants from the air also increases. So these filters are best for houses that have high amounts of airborne particles.
• Lifespan: The life of pleated filters is around 3 months or 90 days. Because of their longer lifespan, these filters will purify your home efficiently for a long time. But the life of a pleated filter depends on the condition of the house too. If your house is full of dust and debris, these filters’s lives may end sooner than expected.
• High Quality: The materials used to make pleated filters are very high-quality media of synthetics and frames of sturdy die-cut. These materials are solid and not vulnerable, even in harsh conditions like high humidity levels.
• MERV Ratings: Pleated filters have MERV ratings between 8 and 13, which means they effectively capture small particles. The contaminants of size 1 micron or more are eliminated by these filters.

Disadvantages

• Cost: In the matter of cost, the pleated filters may not come as budget-friendly options for many individuals. The price of these filters ranges between $5 and $15, and this price can be expensive for some people.
• Airflow: The pleated filter’s design is very dense because the materials that are used to make them are dense (cotton or polyester). Airflow can be restricted with thick materials, and that can make your HVAC system work hard.
• Compatibility: People who want to use a pleated filter should know that a normal HVAC system that can handle low MERV rating filters can’t support a pleated filter. The design and airflow restriction of these filters needed a good-quality HVAC unit to handle them.
• Potential Release of VOCs: When you use a pleated filter, there is a risk of releasing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into your house by these filters, and that can cause you or people inside your home short- or long-term health issues.

Comparison: Fiberglass vs. Pleated Air Filters

Pleated filters and fiberglass filters both have some advantages and disadvantages, but the main question is who is superior? Well, you are about to learn the differences between these two filters. Here is the comparison of fiberglass and pleated filters:

What Should I Look Before Buying A Filter?

When the matter comes to which air filter will suit you best, then you should consider some important things before choosing fiberglass filters or pleated filters. Here are some of the main key points that will help you identify which air filter is right for you:

Air Quality

Considering the condition of indoor air is important because if your house has extremely poor air quality, then a normal filter with low MERV ratings will be inefficient at removing dust. Individuals who have a clean environment in their homes and do not require any advanced purification should invest in fiberglass filters. If your indoor air quality is poor and you want exceptional filtration, then you should buy a pleated filter for your house.

Budget

Budget is also a crucial thing that you should look for before buying an air filter. Pleated filters are pretty expensive compared to fiberglass filters, and they have a price difference of 5 to 10 dollars, which may be expensive for some people. So if an individual wants to purify air in their home with decent filtration ability, they should go for a fiberglass filter. People who want efficiently clean air and a budget have no problem and must go for plated filters.

Health Concerns

Your health is one of the main things that can be affected by an air filter. People with respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies caused by contaminants like pollen allergy need effective filtration in their houses. Filters with dense materials like pleated filters can eliminate particles like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, etc. that can cause breathing issues. So, having a pleated filter is a great idea instead of investing in fiberglass filters that are useless when you have medical issues related to poor air. Remember, you should buy those pleated filters that don’t release any VOCs.

Consider your budget, air quality needs, and health issue preferences to choose the right air filter.

Conclusion

Air filters become an important part of everyone’s life because they help to purify the air inside your house. Many filters are available in the market, but mainly two filters are used in residential places like houses. Fiberglass and pleated filters are the best types of filters that you can use to keep your home air clean. Fiberglass filters are budget-friendly but provide air purification from large airborne particles only, and on the other hand, pleated filters are a little expensive but efficiently eliminate small contaminants and large ones. Both of these filters have advantages and disadvantages.

Before choosing between fiberglass filters and pleated filters, you should consider some key points. Budget is one of the main things that many people consider before investing in anything, and it applies to filters too. Any kind of health issues related to poor air quality also need to be considered before buying an air filter. The main question is where you will find a suitable filter for you and your HVAC system. Well, if you are here, then you are a lucky person because here at Custom Filters Direct we are known for providing filters with MERV ratings of 8, 11, and 13, which fulfill the need for clean air for our customers. For more details, contact us at (877) 812-7983.

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