Hiding Exposed Ductwork

Certain living spaces are intentionally designed to allow for full exposure of many architectural elements – whether structural brickwork, beams, girders, electrical conduits or even central ductwork for heating and cooling.

If your home hasn’t intentionally been designed to exposed all of its industrial parts, however, nothing looks more out of place there than ductwork that has not been adequately masked. Here’s a basic guide for hiding ductwork in your home:

First off, as with any home improvement project, check with the appropriate local officials concerning building regulations. Many locales have specific steps and procedures that are required to be followed, even for something as seemingly simple as installing a drywall box around an exposed duct. Knowing about these rules beforehand can save you the time and money of having to start the project all over again from scratch.

Plan out your approach to hiding the ductwork. Take pictures and draw simple blueprints, which should include measurements, so that you have both a vision and a practical guide for accomplishing the work.

Gather the needed materials, including 2x4s for any framework. Then, begin building the frames needed. Use a stud finder, if necessary, for attaching your frame to an existing wall. Be sure to leave a minimum of one inch between the frame and ductwork to allow for contraction and expansion of the ducts. (Again, check local codes for any specific clearance requirements.)

Measure (twice) and cut (once) the drywall needed to transform the frames into boxes. Then, attach the drywall with screws, taking care not to drive any of the screws into adjacent areas. Spackle/tape the joints and screw head areas, sand as needed and then paint/finish as desired.

Should you determine that you do not need the ductwork and that you would prefer instead to install a ductless system somewhere in your home, contact one of our specialists to discuss the best options for your needs and budget!