1978- DMI was founded by Peter Arnoldt

1987 – Sandwich Access Doors Are Born

Working with a European company, Ductmate introduced a line of low leakage duct access doors into the United States market in 1987. These new doors were promoted through Ductmate’s vast network of commercial HVAC parts distributors under the registered trademark of Ductmate Industries, the Sandwich®.

  • Specifically designed for easy installation regardless of the requirements of the application, these easy-to-install, leak-proof duct access doors eliminated the need to patch and seal duct openings.
  • The Sandwich door’s patented design eliminated duct leakage, which was commonly associated with framed access doors.
  • The Sandwich doors are made of multiple layers of materials, including steel, insulation, and glass, depending on the application.
  • Ductmate doors have a high degree of versatility.
  • Ductmate doors provide an airtight seal and reduce friction.
  • In 1997, Ductmate expanded on this initial offering with its line of patented Circular Sandwich access doors, providing an easily operable duct access door that may be insulated if the duct is insulated, which reduces energy loss.
  • Designed with the duct cleaning industry’s needs in mind, Ductmate’s circular access door promoted improved indoor air quality through a design that allowed for enhanced access for duct cleaning.

 

1988 – Spiralmate is Born

In 1988, Peter Arnoldt again added to Ductmate’s arsenal of products, developing Spiralmate, Ductmate’s flange connection system for round ductwork. This innovative product expanded on Ductmate’s original ‘35’ design, with the mastic being injected into the pocket of the flange, which had a unique triangular shape to assure proper compression of the gasket material.

  • When installed properly, the Spiralmate flange will reduce leakage to less than 1% at the transverse duct connection of round ductwork.
  • The initial introduction of Spiralmate included a patented manufacturing method that directly injected a low VOC mastic into the pocket of the flange system.
  • Spiralmate connector gives a nearly airtight cross-connection without the use of slip joints, eliminating the need to seal the duct, as well as eliminating the use of solvent-based sealants on the transverse connections of round ductwork.
  • This new manufacturing method also eliminated the human factor of properly applying duct sealant in the field.
  • Ductmate’s simplified assembly process improved consistency, reduced labor costs, and decreased assembly and installation labor.

 

1991 – Ductmate Joins NADCA

After recognizing the importance of indoor air quality to the inhabitants of the buildings in which our products handle the airflow, Ductmate joined the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the leading organization in the Air Duct Cleaning industry, in 1991.

 

1992 – Ovalmate is Born

Patented in 1992 by Peter Arnoldt, Ovalmate® incorporated many of the same innovative traits as Ductmate’s Spiralmate connection.  Ovalmate’s unique design once again incorporated a low VOC mastic into the pocket of the Ovalmate connection during the manufacturing process.

  • When installed properly, the Ovalmate flange will reduce leakage to less than 1% at the transverse duct connections of oval ductwork.
  • The initial introduction of Ovalmate included a patented manufacturing method that directly injected a low VOC mastic into the pocket of the flange system.
  • The Ovalmate connector gives a nearly airtight cross-connection without the use of slip joints, eliminating the need to seal the duct and eliminating the use of solvent-based sealants on the transverse connections of oval ductwork.
  • This new manufacturing method also eliminated the human factor of properly applying duct sealant in the field.
  • Ovalmate’s simplified assembly process, improved consistency, reduced labor costs, and decreased assembly and installation labor.

 

1994 – Sealants

In 1994, Ductmate worked diligently to develop and introduce a water-based duct sealant that would perform as well as the solvent-based sealants traditionally utilized in the industry. Thus was the creation of PROseal and FIBERseal, two water-based, high-performance sealants which were introduced into the market through Ductmate’s extensive distribution network.

  • Ductmate PROseal and FIBERseal had significantly better flexibility, adhesion, water resistance, and UV resistance than the market was accustomed to in a water-based sealant then.
  • The widespread availability of high-performance, water-based products at a reasonable price helped influence the market towards low-VOC sealants, thus changing consumers’ perceptions of water-based (versus solvent-based) sealants.

 

1996 – Patented Turning Vane System

Before 1996, assembling a turning vane required mechanical fastening or special tools. Excessive labor and imprecision hampered vane systems that relied on screws, peening, or notching.

PROrail’s patented, friction-fit design solved the problem. Used with high-quality turning vanes, PROrail has been saving assembly time for contractors and headaches for engineers.

  • Vane taps onto PROrail using nothing more than a mallet or hammer.
  • PROrail holds the vanes in place up to 57 pounds of pull-out force per tab.
  • PROrail aligns vane straight, keeping them in position to properly turn air.
  • Ductmate’s double-wall turning vane is recognized for its sturdiness. It is engineered and manufactured to the precise demands of our roll-forming experts.

 

1999 – Low-Leakage Damper Hardware

In 1999, Ductmate patented a control damper hardware assembly specifically engineered by Ductmate to reduce the amount of leakage through penetrations made by damper hardware. The development of Ductmate’s Low Leakage Hardware was in response to an ASHRAE study which identified significant leakage occurring at these duct penetrations.

  • Ductmate’s low leakage damper hardware reduced leakage by between 155% – 238% over traditional hardware assemblies.
  • This calculates out to an energy savings of anywhere between $48.84 per damper per year and $121.42 per damper per year (calculation was done at 2” W.G. comparing Ductmate’s Low Leakage hardware to DuroDyne’s Rapit models RS256 and RS356).

 

2006 – Greenseam Snap-Lock Pipe

Ductmate Industries was built on products that reduce leakage and improve energy efficiency.  In conjunction with rising energy prices, the importance of building sustainable and energy-efficient systems has been brought to the forefront of the attention of the HVAC industry, among others. The recent focus on green building and sustainability has allowed Ductmate to not only build on its existing product lines but also introduce new products, such as GreenSeam, which will further reduce leakage within HVAC systems.

  • GreenSeam is a product developed to target the increasingly stringent sealing requirements in commercial and residential HVAC applications.
  • GreenSeam was designed for highly efficient systems that are often found in buildings designed to conform with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system (LEED) as well as the Green Building Initiatives.
  • GreenSeam’s patent-pending design eliminates 96% of the leakage along the longitudinal seam at 2” WG.
  • GreenSeam incorporates a 0-VOC gasket into the longitudinal seam during the manufacturing process.
  • By incorporating the gasket during the manufacturing process, Ductmate has eliminated the time and material needed to seal this seam after installation.
  • By installing the gasket during the manufacturing process, GreenSeam has also eliminated the inconsistencies of sealant application from job to job or piece to piece.
  • With increased fuel cost, GreenSeam pipe reduces leakage, which provides higher efficiencies, leading to lower energy costs.
  • The installation of GreenSeam is identical to conventional snap lock pipe but does not require sealants and tapes.

 

2007 – Ductmate Fills Secretarial Seat at ASHRAE Technical Committee 5.2

ASHRAE is the prevailing authority in the HVAC industry. Ductmate is, and always has been, an active ASHRAE member. Ductmate has been a member of ASHRAE and the Duct Design Technical Committee (Committee 5.2) for over 20 years. In 2008, Ductmate graciously accepted an appointed seat on the committee.

  • ASHRAE Technical Committee 5.2 reviews proposals for product reviews.
  • The committee executes extensive testing of products and adheres to strict guidelines in regards to quality, efficiency, and application.
  • It also sets the standard for design throughout the industry.
  • Ductmate’s Senior Sales Engineer was appointed as Secretary of the committee on Duct Design in 2008.

 

2007 – Ductmate Receives Historical Landmark Status

After moving its corporate offices from the manufacturing plant in Monongahela to 210 5th St. in Charleroi, PA in May 2002, Ductmate restored the vacant building that was built in 1889 and had once served as a hotel and a bank to house the company’s corporate headquarters. The renovation and restoration have created a unique workspace for Ductmate employees. Close attention was paid to the unique details of the building’s rich history. As a result of extensive renovations and detailed restoration, Ductmate was awarded National Historic Landmark status in 2007.

  • Ductmate used many recycled materials in the renovation and restoration process, breathing new life into the vacant space.
  • Many of the original doors, artwork, and details remain.
  • Ductmate is now a focal point of the downtown corridor, contributing to the revitalization of the downtown area.
  • The local economy has been given a much-needed boost.
  • Ductmate’s employees provide a significant addition to the Charleroi business community, impacting the commerce of the downtown area.