Exhaust fan question

[Higgledy]

I'd like to turn my single-car garage into a cigar lounge. I need advice on an exhaust fan. This is in a townhouse end-unit with a tiny single-car garage. It is about 10'x20'. The garage is next to a storage area where there is an existing 4" exhaust vent. I'd like to install an in-line fan from my garage to that vent. I am not sure how to size the fan. I'd like to get something that is affective in removing cigar smoke, but I think that 4" vent is the limiting factor.
Also, I am thinking that an in-line fan would be keep noise to a minimum in the garage. Any pros on here offer some advice on where to start?

Can I use a 6" in-line fan and taper it down to a 4" vent or is that a waste of money or worse it might cause the fan motor to work harder and prematurely burn out?

Once I figure out the size, then I'd need to choose the fan. I replaced the dead powder room exhaust fan with a Panasonic fan and was impressed with its quality. Is Panasonic the brand to stick with for in-line fans?

 

[Breplum]

Panasonic fans are great. Never reduce a termination. Check the sones of each one you are considering.
Fantech is also a well respected in-line fan mfr. I've used and have on one bathroom. I would say it is not that quiet compared to a good Panasonic Whisper conventional boxed...but check the sones listings.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Higgledy]

Panasonic fans are great. Never reduce a termination. Check the sones of each one you are considering.
Fantech is also a well respected in-line fan mfr. I've used and have on one bathroom. I would say it is not that quiet compared to a good Panasonic Whisper conventional boxed...but check the sones listings.

Thanks. That’s what I was assuming about reducing the duct size. The existing 4” vent is original and the house is aluminum sided. Is it easy to replace it with a 6” vent and get it to be water tight without messing up the aluminum siding?

 

[Higgledy]

Because if it were 6” vent then I can buy a fan with a high CFM rating. I’m assuming the garage door has enough leakage to provide a good air draw. Idk

 

[Breplum]

Aluminum siding is decidedly tricky without full contingent of the right tools. Watch out for noise on higher CFM bc noise travels in 6" pipe without a 'muffler'. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Fantech..._eDXaHVaq2kQNAKrdGfDU4wNVlf-gAihoC2xkQAvD_BwE

 

[Higgledy]

Wow. I didn’t know. Thank you.
So what type of contractor can I hire to upgrade the vent and do a good job with the aluminum siding?

Also, all the vents I’ve seen at the big box stores are just garbage. Can you guys recommend a quality 6” vent for me?

 

[Higgledy]

Maybe I should hire out the entire job. Especially if I can find a good contractor. Around where I live you hire a company and they send out a guy without any experience

 

[Breplum]

HVAC contractors do duct work. To make a nice hole in aluminum siding we use the appropriate hole saw, make a plywood template to keep the process aligned if just expanding a hole.
The reality is that you will end up with a caulk joint seal because in most after-the-fact cases it may not be possible to layer the waterproofing.

 

[Higgledy]

HVAC contractors do duct work. To make a nice hole in aluminum siding we use the appropriate hole saw, make a plywood template to keep the process aligned if just expanding a hole.
The reality is that you will end up with a caulk joint seal because in most after-the-fact cases it may not be possible to layer the waterproofing.

Bummer. I wanted to keep it maintenance free.

What about a quality vent? Do they exist?