With so many air filter options, it can be confusing to figure out which air filter to choose. Many people have their favorites, but we are here to “clear” the air on whether a fiberglass “throw-away” air filter or pleated air filter is best for you. When determining which filter is right for you and your needs you might consider price, changeout frequency, air flow/restriction, construction quality, and MERV rating/efficiency.

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Fiberglass Panel Filter

Pleated Synthetic Filter

Cost

Approx. $3-$5

Approx. $5-$15

Replacement Frequency

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Air Flow

Non-Restrictive

Slightly Restrictive

Quality

Flimsy and Porous

Sturdy and Durable

Dust Loading Capacity

Flat Porous Media: Low dust holding capacity

Pleated Media: High dust holding capacity

MERV Rating and Efficiency

MERV 4-5 (less filtering ability)

MERV 8-13 (effectively stops and traps air containments from recirculating)

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Fiberglass Panel Air Filters:

Let’s begin with fiberglass panel filters. Fiberglass filters are often referred to as “throwaway” or “disposable” filters because they typically last no longer than 30 days. These panel filters use either a spun glass media or a non-woven fiberglass media, with a flimsy cardboard frame and can be found in most hardware stores for a few dollars. The main argument with users of the fiberglass filters is that it will save you money, but keep in mind that you’ll have to replace these filters monthly (if not more frequently depending on how highly trafficked your environment is) and you’ll get what you pay for. Another reason many people opt for these filters is because they provide the least amount of airflow resistance for an HVAC system.

However, with this ease of airflow comes lower quality air filtration. Fiberglass filters have a very low MERV rating between 2-3 efficiency. A MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the standard rating system for measuring an air filter’s overall effectiveness at trapping air pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the finer the particles the filter can trap and block from recirculating back into the air. A MERV rating between 6-13 is recommended for residential use and 5-16 MERV for commercial environments. Fiberglass air filters have media that is loosely woven with a low MERV rating, which means many air pollutants pass through the filter sending the allergens and particulates back into the circulating air.

Fiberglass Panel Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Price: Inexpensive, most fiberglass throwaway filters range from $3-$5.
• Air Flow: Non-Restrictive, fiberglass filters’ media is very porous and will not restrict air flow. However, most fiberglass filters must be replaced every 30 days to ensure the filter isn’t being fully loaded with debris and pollutants so that air can still pass through with ease.
• Catches Large Debris: Large lint and dust particles are easily captured by the fiberglass media.

Cons:

• Dust Holding Capacity: Because fiberglass filter uses a panel style media it has a smaller surface area that can trap and hold debris; giving it a low dust holding capacity.
• Filter Changeouts: frequent filter replacements, every 30 days.
• Quality: Fiberglass panel filters use a porous fiberglass media and a flimsy cardboard frame. Fiberglass filters are prone to damage when in use and can damage your HVAC system while letting debris recirculate.
• Filtration Rating: Fiberglass filters have a low MERV rating (MERV 4-5). Fiberglass filters do not filter out fine air pollutants like pollen, dust, dust mites, bacteria, or viruses and are not recommended for environments where there are allergy or asthma suffers, pets, or lots of foot traffic. Fiberglass filters capture less than 25% of particles that range from 3 to 10 micron in size, this includes small pollutants like pollen, dander, and bacteria.

Pleated Air Filters:

While not the cheapest option, pleated air filters provide superior air filtration to fiberglass panel filters. Manufactured using a premium pleated synthetic fiber media, these filters allow for an increased surface area to capture more airborne pollutants. Additionally, these filters are reinforced with an expanded metal backing and heavy-duty frame. Pleated AC/furnace filters are available in an 8-13 MERV rating and can last up to 90 days without requiring a filter changeout. Although some older HVAC systems may be strained and experience less airflow with pleated filters, most HVAC systems today have had advancements so that the performance is unaffected by pleated filters. The synthetic media used in these filters effectively traps and blocks smaller sized air particles better than fiberglass filters, keeping your environment’s air free of pollutants and allergens longer.

Pleated Filter Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Dust Holding Capacity: Pleated filters use a pleated accordion style media that increases the filter’s surface area and dust holding and load capacity.
• Filter Changeouts: Pleated filters have a service life of up to 90 days, depending on the environment and foot traffic.
• Quality: Pleated filters are manufactured with a high-quality synthetic media and a sturdy die-cut frame that is durable even in high humidity environments.
• Filter Rating: Pleated filters are available in a MERV 8, 10, 11, or 13 rated media. The pleated synthetic media captures fine dust, pollen, dirt, pet dander, bacteria, and some viruses. Pleated filters are a great option for environments where there are infants, allergy sufferers or people with asthma.

Cons:

• Price: Pleated air filters can range anywhere from $5-$15 dollars depending on the size and filter rating.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fiberglass and Pleated Air Filters

What is a pleated filter?

A pleated filter is an air filter that is manufactured using a synthetic fiber media that is pleated into an accordion or pleat style pattern to create more surface area to hold dust and debris that is filtered. The synthetic media is reinforced with an expanded metal backing and is housed in a heavy-duty die-cut beverage board frame.

What are pleated filters made of?

Pleated filters are made using a premium synthetic fiber media that effectively traps fine dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, bacteria and more. The media is adhered to expanded metal backing for additional structure and support during use. The frame is made of heavy-duty beverage board that ensures the filter’s integrity even in high humidity environments.

Are fiberglass filters safe?

Yes, fiberglass filters are safe. However, they are not as durable as pleated filters and if they are not replaced frequently, they run the risk of falling apart and damaging your HVAC unit. Because fiberglass filters are panel filters, they have a low dust holding capacity and are not able to filter fine air pollutants like dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses.

Are pleated air filters better?

While fiberglass filters work, pleated filters do an overall better job at filtering and trapping common small airborne pollutants and contaminates. Pleated filters also have a longer service life (up to 90 days) and have a higher dust holding capacity. 

Why Do Hydraulic Mesh Filters Perform Better than Fiber Filter?

Hydraulic systems are becoming increasingly complex, and their filters need to keep up. Filtration is key in keeping your hydraulic system working properly by preventing particle contamination from disrupting its performance. Hydraulic filters come in two main options: metal mesh and fiberglass filter media as per this post’s topic. Though they share a common goal, each type of filter has their own advantages and disadvantages that make them suitable for different applications.

In this post, you will explore the basics of both metal mesh and fiberglass filters. The modern hydraulic oil filter comes in two varieties: metal mesh and fiberglass: both of which protect your equipment from contamination. Each filter will usually consist of a mesh or fiberglass element, designed to trap particles that could cause wear or malfunction to sensitive components.

Understanding Different Types of Hydraulic Filter Materials: Metal Mesh and Fiberglass

Airborne pollutants, rust and other contaminants are the enemies of hydraulic systems, affecting component performance and lifetime. Choosing an efficient filter material is essential for protecting sensitive components from faulty operation or even complete failure. Hydraulic oil filters come in two major forms: metal mesh media and fiberglass media. Each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding which is more suitable for your hydraulic system starts with knowing the basics of both types.

Reasons Metal Mesh Is a Better Filtration Option

Metal mesh, also known as honeycomb, is a better option for filtration than other types of mesh. It is lighter, stronger, and easier to clean. It has many ways of use: from making window screens or mosquito nets to filtering water. Metal mesh is a more effective filtration option than any other material. The main reasons:

• Metal mesh is better than other materials is that it can filter out smaller particulates.
• It will remove more contaminants from your water than other materials.
• A metal mesh filter is cleanable and reusable more easily than other types of filters, so you won’t have to replace it as often.
• Another advantage of metal mesh filters over other types of oil filters is that they are not affected by chemical changes in the water supply, unlike activated carbon filters and open-air filters.
• You don’t have to worry about losing their effectiveness over time due to the deterioration of the water quality.

Metal mesh is a better option than alternatives like fiberglass, because it can filter out heavy metals, which are potentially harmful to your health. Metal mesh has no such dangers associated with it. It has metal rods shreds together that have been ground down into very small pieces so that they fit together like puzzle pieces without any sharp edges or points where things might get stuck in between them all together.

Improvements with Up-taking Metal Mesh Filters

Metal mesh filters can reduce energy consumption by filtering out large amounts of waste material from a water source before it enters a home or business building’s plumbing system. This means less power is in use to run these systems compared to traditional systems that do not include metal mesh filters. The main disadvantage to using this type of filter is that they tend to take longer than other types because they have so many holes through which water must flow before it reaches ground level where it exits into another container or drainage system outside your property boundaries.

Environmental Considerations

Metal mesh and fiberglass hydraulic filters are typically made from either stainless steel or aluminium. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages regarding their environmental impacts. Stainless steel has a lower carbon footprint than aluminium because it is not from raw materials such as oil or coal. However, it does require additional processing steps during manufacture that can result in higher emissions than those produced by aluminum. Aluminum has a lower carbon footprint than stainless steel because it has recycled material rather than new raw materials such as petroleum products. It requires more energy to produce than stainless steel does.

Cost Considerations

Metal mesh and fiberglass hydraulic filters are typically more expensive than other types of filters, especially when compared with paper or plastic media filtration systems. It requires more processing steps during manufacture and generally costs more per unit volume due to its higher cost. Metal mesh and fiberglass hydraulic filters are both effective ways to remove particulate matter from water. However, they have a few important differences:

• Metal Mesh Filters: These filters employ a metal mesh as their main component. The metal mesh has alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminium, which allows these filters to trap larger particles than fiberglass filters. They are also less expensive than fiberglass filters, but they can be more difficult to install because they require the use of special tools and skills.
• Fiberglass Hydraulic Filters: Fiberglass hydraulic filters employ fiberglass strands are together in a specific pattern to trap large particles like sand and silt. These filters are typically more expensive than metal mesh filters, but they can be easier to install since they rely on gravity rather than pumps or motors for filtering purposes.

Metal Mesh and Fiberglass Hydraulic filters comparison

Metal Mesh Fiberglass Reduces CO2 emissions by 20% Decrease CO2 emissions by 30% Reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 50% Decrease NOx emissions by 60% Usually inexpensive, filter out deep More expensive, capacity to filter more waste water Easy to maintain Require frequent maintenance Filters tend to last longer Typically, 5-6 years

Conclusion:

Metal mesh and fiberglass hydraulic oil filters operate in a variety of environments. However, they also have some specific needs that need to be considered when making decisions about their use. These filters are in areas with harsh flushing conditions, such as oil refineries and natural gas wells. In these situations, the filters should be able to withstand strong hydrostatic pressure and corrosive chemicals that can damage the filter elements. These filters are built for durability and longevity over time. It is important that these filters be able to withstand extremes of temperature without failing due to improper design or poor manufacture quality control standards. Contact us for more information about filters.

FAQs

1. Why do hydraulic mesh filters last longer than fiber filters?

Hydraulic mesh filters last longer because their stainless steel or metal construction resists wear and tear, while fiber filters degrade faster due to clogging and material breakdown.

2. How do hydraulic mesh filters improve filtration efficiency compared to fiber filters?

Hydraulic mesh filters improve efficiency by maintaining consistent flow and trapping contaminants without restricting fluid movement, whereas fiber filters can become saturated and reduce performance.

3. Why do hydraulic mesh filters require less frequent replacement than fiber filters?

Hydraulic mesh filters require less frequent replacement because they can be cleaned and reused multiple times, whereas fiber filters must be replaced once they reach their dirt-holding capacity.

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