How to Attach Duct Boots in a Basement
Your furnace's ductwork attaches to baseboard and floor grilles with duct boots. Typical ductwork running to a grille in your basement is 6 inches in diameter, and the diameter of the floor grille may be 2 inches by 10 inches. Since a 6-inch diameter pipe cannot connect to a square floor grille by itself, a duct boot is necessary. The duct boot not only changes the size of the ductwork, it may also change direction, which allows the horizontal running duct to connect to a grille installed vertically in the floor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Level
- Cordless drill
- Sheet metal screws
- Nails
- Hammer
- Safety glasses
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Instructions
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Slide the round end of the duct boot over the crimped end on the ducting approximately 1 1/2 inches.
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Push the rectangular end of the duct boot up into the floor opening. Adjust the round end as necessary to make sure the rectangular end is straight and plumb through the floor opening.
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Fasten the round end to the ducting with sheet metal screws. Use four screws if possible, with each one 90 degrees from the previous. If this is not possible, use as many screws as the joist space permits.
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Go upstairs and adjust the rectangular opening of the duct boot until it is flush with the top of the subfloor. Drive a nail through one side of the duct boot and into the side of the subfloor. Repeat on the opposite side.
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Tips & Warnings
Seal all duct connections with duct sealer to ensure an airtight duct system.
Refrain from using screws to secure the duct boot to the subfloor. Screws may interfere with the grille installation.
The duct boot cannot rest above the top of the subfloor. This will interfere with the flooring installation.
References
- Alpine Home Air: Ductwork
- Timothy Gonyo; Air Flow, Inc.; Milwaukee, WI
