How to Install a Floor Air Vent

In this video, I share with you how I install a HVAC air duct floor vent. There are many ways but this is the way I do it efficiently with quality and time.
This video is also to share with you how woodworking and my job (HVAC) sometimes comes together. Enjoy

[@MrPhys]

Now lets do one in the ceiling near the roofing edge! That's what I need to see done gracefully! Great vid

[@LifeinFarmland]

Found this video relaxing. Didn't realize you covers the vent in new construction, bit makes total sense. Nice attention to detail

[@gayles6321]

You answered ALL my questions in your replies. Thank you.

[@danielhostetler5387]

Thanks for sharing.

[@sandcyngal]

Thank you. Your video is well appreciated.

[@failingdisciple938]

Thank you. Techniques for cutting opening for floor vents with floor already installed? It’s easy to see where the joists are when working with exposed sub floor.

[@BOCraftsman]

I always like to drill a small spy bit in the floor. Go below and look for it under the floor. That way I know if I need to watch for anything around it. Then I proceed like I did in this video. I did that all before I recorded this video. I didn’t show that part.

[@raptorms773]

One thing I did like is thnak God you cover that vent I always have to fish things out of them because during install they left them uncovered

[@BOCraftsman]

Always!

[@BoredAtWork2000]

You need another battery! Great video though, thanks. I’ve got to do this project over the weekend and this helped a lot.

[@BOCraftsman]

I have a whole new kit now.😉

[@isaiahwhitlow2756]

Excellent

[@brandonfontaine285]

does the top of the boot need to be flush with subfloor or finish floor? In my bathroom reno it's 1/8" above subfloor but I still need to add cement board/tile

[@BOCraftsman]

I always go flush with the flooring already there. Weather it’s the finish floor or subfloor.

[@albanbnushj420]

Must be nice when home is still exposed no walls no floors yet

[@xbox360rook]

What size nails did you use?

[@BOCraftsman]

1 1/2” roofing nails with the flat heads

[@alansmith2203]

Hey, thanks for sharing. Have a quick question for you. My register boot is approx. 4"X10". I just drilled my pilot hole between the two floor joists in the basement upwards. What i am worried about is.....I have expensive brazilian cherry flooring. I laid them. I think the diagonal structural flooring is 1" thick. Then 1/2'' to 3/4" subflooring and then 3/4" finished floor. How on earth do i cut the boot and not goof up the finished flooring. The Home Depot vent is 2" deep but is bigger (inside diameter) than the boot....a little confused in Vallejo California

[@BOCraftsman]

I always cut my hole a 1/4” bigger than the boot and vent. In your case, that would be 10 1/4 x 4 1/4. That allows for the difference. I would mark it and cut it like I did in this video but, maybe use a saw saw with a fine tooth blade or multi tool. It would be a slower cut but it would allow you to keep your cut in the line easier. Hope that helps

[@faithinYahushua]

Professional👍🏻

[@BOCraftsman]

Thank you

[@tblair1642]

Is there code for how far away from the wall? My living room vent was about 2.5 inches, which shot the air right under the drapes, causing them to bellow out. I'm glad I was able to move it.

[@BOCraftsman]

Wow,that’s close. There isn’t a code in the area we work but we always go 6”from the wall. It’s always looked great when we are finished and it doesn’t blow out any drapes ;).

[@Samstar7682]

We had a sunken living room floor that we raised 8.5 inches, how do I raise the floor vent. There’s no flex in the duct under the house. Can you name the part I’ll need. I’m assuming I’ll need some kind of collar. Existing flor vent collar size is 10x3.25. Thanks in advance.

[@justinlalko7834]

Same I have to roll mine up to clear it

[@smarksruinedwrestling5020]

Question: how would you know if you’re not cutting a piece of wood that is supporting the house ?

[@BOCraftsman]

You have to mark a spot with a small drill bit, drill through and check the underside . Measure to the left and right , mark those on the floor and then stay between those marked lines

[@oztheozoz]

What type of nail should I use? Length? Stainless steel?

[@BOCraftsman]

I use short 1 1/4 roofing nails.

[@robertchambers4279]

Quick questions for you... What's the measurement from the vent to the bare stud wall you use for floor vents? Also, What's your measurement from the bare stud wall to vent for ceiling vents? Thank you

[@BOCraftsman]

On the floor is usually go 6”. It allows room for drywall and trim plus extra space for appearance. You want to be at the least, 3”. On the ceiling , I try for 2-3ft depending on how steep your roof pitch is.

[@dogcomb47]

I just dropped a very small piece of drywall into my floor heat vent the big vent. Do I need to worry when it is time to turn the furnice on? it was a piece 1/4" by 1 1/2". It feel off when I was hammering a hole for the screw of my new vent cover.

[@BOCraftsman]

I wouldn’t worry about it.

[@nickme9975]

I find that just using a sawsall works good and quick on rough and finished floor's no need to drill pilot holes on each corner or us a skill saw.

[@BOCraftsman]

I used to cut them just like that. But once I started doing it this way, I never turned back. It makes for a nice , sharp , clean cut

[@joegatton6717]

@@BOCraftsman true but it’s not necessary on sub flooring bc it will be covered up anyway🤷‍♂️to each their own

[@leonelramirez3231]

Great video what size blade is your circ. Saw? If its a 4×10 vent do you measure and cut a 4×10 hole exact? Did you drill a pilot hole from the bottom to make sure you were between the beams? Thx for sharing plz make more vids. Especially for sidewall vents and cieling vents

[@BOCraftsman]

The saw is 5 1/5”. I also measure and cut on my line a 1/4” bigger. This hole was 4 1/4 x 10 1/4. Since this was a new home I could see the floor joists easily from the nail heads. Normally, yes I would use a 1/4” spy bit.

[@emmettbohannan1217]

Do you caulk or foam around the vent from the bottom side to prevent air exchange around the perimeter of the vent...???

[@BOCraftsman]

In compliance with the 2017 Energy code, we do silicone around the edge of the vent . Usually from up top. We do it at a later time.

[@derekreinmann336]

What size and type of screws do you use to secure the boot?

[@BOCraftsman]

The boot is 4inch by 10inch. The hole is cut 1/4” larger. I used six short roofing nails to hole it in place.

[@christianhelser]

What type of nails are you using? This is a solid video.

[@BOCraftsman]

I used 1 1/4” roofing nails

[@cudazi]

Nice, thanks for sharing! My house has a bunch of 24" baseboard registers, but the actual vent feeding is much smaller. Is this for looks or just for more air diffusion? I find it odd they wouldn't just be roughly equal in size.

[@BOCraftsman]

When you push air through a vent it can whistle. So to diffuse the air and get rid of the sound, we go bigger. It’s all about noise and airflow.

[@cudazi]

@@BOCraftsman Good to know, thanks!

[@kellyKellz9647]

what type of Nails should you use to keep the vent in place? or rather what do you use?

[@BOCraftsman]

I us 1” roofing nails since they have a large flat head. You could go at an angle and use screws. amzn.to/3JFrMvQ

[@mrsamzero1]

What size hole would you cut in the floor to pass a 8 inch flex duct through, 10, 11, or 12 inch? Thanks

[@BOCraftsman]

It depends on what the R value is. If it’s R4, I’d cut it 9” but if it’s r8 then I would cut it 10”

[@dantherepairman3821]

Just something I do. Try a high powered jigsaw. Cut out the two saws

[@BOCraftsman]

great idea. Ive been thinking about getting one

[@brandonfontaine285]

I usually shoot mine out with some 00 buck shot

[@rayandbordeeline2]

Upgrade to Dewalt!! You won’t have battery issues great job

[@BOCraftsman]

I actually went a step further and upgraded to Milwaukee tools

[@DanielZajic]

Are you just nailing into the subfloor, parallel? That seems like a poor way to do it, I assumed there would be something better.

[@BOCraftsman]

This is the way I’ve done it for 18 years. The subfloor should be 3/4” thick.

[@dooovde]

How is the air meant to flow out after you’ve nailed a big board over top of it?? 😒

[@BOCraftsman]

It’s only to keep debris out during construction

[@dooovde]

@@BOCraftsman ooooh right 😉 (was j/k tho)

[@anactorslife3729]

'You should emphasize wearing safety glasses.

[@BOCraftsman]

I do now😉

[@raptorms773]

Why didn't you just cut the hole with the drill and the sawzall, overly complicated no need for a circular saw

[@BOCraftsman]

Better looking cuts. Much straighter. I did it with a saw saw for many years until said introduced me to using the circular saw. Never went back.