How to Run Duct Work to Second Floors

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Things You'll Need

  • Straight Duct Tubing

  • T-Fit Duct Tubing

  • Transitional Fitting

  • Heat Register

  • Metal Duct Hangers

  • Sheet-metal Snips

  • Saw

  • Marker

  • Duct Tape

  • Mastic

  • Studs

  • Drywall

You need free, open space to run ducts through your home.

Running a duct from the first floor to the second involves creating a hole in the main duct and attaching new duct work that terminates in a floor-level heat register on the second floor. Homeowners expanding their existing first-floor duct work to the second floor need more space than walls typically provide, so they must cut a hole in the floor and pass the duct up through the first-floor ceiling. Boxing in the new, exposed duct with studs and drywall subtracts living space but conceals the improvement.

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Step 1

Locate the first-floor plenum or main duct. Choose an area located below a closet or an unfrequented area of the house but close to a basement ceiling joist. Mark a circle on the main duct equal in size to the duct collar. Make sure the circle faces up toward the second floor. Cut out the circle with sheet metal snips.

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Step 2

Fit the duct collar over the hole in the main duct and attach it. Cut a hole in the floor just large enough to accommodate the duct work. Run duct work through the hole. In the basement, secure the new duct work to a joist by running a hanger around the duct and attaching it to the joist.

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Step 3

Continue attaching sections of duct work until you reach the ceiling of the first floor. Cut a hole in the ceiling with the saw, but avoid cutting into the ground level of the second floor yet.

Step 4

Run the duct into the ceiling. Secure it to a nearby joist with a hanger. Attach a T-fitting piece of duct work if you want the new duct to run into many rooms on the second floor. This will allow you to attach new duct work horizontally.

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Step 5

Use the saw to cut a hole in the ground level of the second floor wherever you want ventilation. Snip a hole in the duct below the floor that is large enough to accommodate a transitional fitting. Attach the fitting so that it runs up to the hole in the floor. Cover the hole with a heat register.

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Step 6

Seal any open duct work with a combination of duct tape and mastic. Cover the exposed duct with duct tape and seal by applying mastic.

Step 7

Conceal the duct that runs from the first floor to the second. Surround the duct with metal studs. Use the studs as a structural base for applying drywall, which will cover the duct by creating a new interior wall.

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