I’ll have a couple places where it’s not convenient to run a chase to the lower floor as I don’t want to frame a bump in a long, continuous flat wall. Is it OK to cut through the bottom plate and line the stud bay with sheet metal and then connect to a wall register?
What about insulation? This is the only reason I figured it was only acceptable for cold-air returns.
Thanks!
Jim
Replies
I would think if you had to because of no other interior or floor run, then maybe buying the snap together 2-1/2'' rect. duct and backing the opening with whatever foam board would fit. Perhaps fill the sides of whats left with the same. Notch the plate only as far as necessary. There's probably some reasons that escape me for not doing it.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Rockford, its okay to cut the plates.
We never frame chases here in MI. We always cut every heat and cold air through the plates. Sometimes there might be seven consecutive (or more) stud bays cut out on one wall! They run sheet metal angles to catch the drywall. Care should be taken to make sure the leftover plate won't move and also make sure you stack the studs.
Edit: a lot of times we double up the studs that are in contact with the return air spaces. This helps to keep them from twisting and warping real bad.
blue
Edited 11/24/2005 10:33 am ET by blueeyeddevil
Around here you can't line the whole bay if there's wires or anything else in there but cutting the bottom plates is done every day even top plates.Unless it's different in your area.
cutting the plates is done everyday here too
south western ontario
Don't know what its called but my hvac guy installed some flat duct in a 3 1/2 inch raised floor for me.stuff was flexible and had like bubble wrap insulation between a liner and the outer cover. came in 8 ft sections and he had register adaptors. work good!.
RFRD,
Don't know if it's legal, but I've done it using silicon caulk, foil tape, and 1/2" isocyanurate (foil faced) foam board. Rodents could be an issue, but no worse than flex-duct.
I have a feeling your talking about exterior walls and hot air ducts ???? .. we only pan cold air returns, duct all hot air, and never in an exterior wall .. unless its on the warm side of the vapour barier, and bumped out ..
Simpsons makes a strap tie for where plates are notched for hvac....you put about a billion 16d nails into the plate either side of the notch.....I think it's RPS22 or something, Homer has it.....