How can I cover an old grille type floor heating vent?
How can I cover an old grille type floor heating vent?
I just moved into a new apartment. It now has central air/heat, so the old floor heaters are obsolete. They are covered with a heavy duty black grille. They are large, maybe 3' x4'. It is completely open underneath. I can see gravel. However, the old heaters are still in place, so that leaves only a millimeter or two between the bottom side of the grille and the top of the old heater. Any ideas for covering this? I live in New Orleans, so Palmetto Bugs (a nice name for disgusting giant cockroaches) can crawl in and I am creeped out!!!!! Not to mention all my nice cold air is draining out the floor. HELP!!!!
Answers:
Michael B: well 1 think you could do is remove the grill and cut a piece of wood to cover it. You will want to run supports for it if you do that. OR if you just want a fast fix go get some heavy contractors plastic and lay plastic over it. Get some caulk to seal the edges and then throw an area rug over it. That should do the trick. I would ask your land lord but i would just board it in. If its not being used anymore and you are getting bugs then just board it in. You will still need an area rug but thats the better fix. I am from up north so i am not sure what you are talking about but homedupot or lowes might sell somthing for that down there.
2007-09-19 09:50:50
2007-09-19 09:50:50
Jim: Obviously, remove the floor grille. Now, you will have to install some framing for the patch. Using same-sized material as the existing floor joists, install doubled "headers" at each end of the opening (use a doubled joist hanger), for example, if your floor joists are 2 x 10, use 2 pieces of 2 x 10 nailed together and allow one of the doubled pieces to be exposed (to nail the patch to). The "headers" are installed between the existing floor joists. Then, install 2 x 10 "trimmers" (double them if you want) and allow one of the 2 x 10's to be exposed for nailing the patch. "Trimmers" are installed between the "headers" that you installed previously. Install an additional "trimmer" at the center to support the patch. Get some plywood the same thickness as your existing flooring, cut it to fit the opening and nail it onto the headers/trimmers. Now get a nice area rug to cover the patch. All of this may be somewhat confusing, so if you need additional help, drop me a line at keyboard.king@yahoo.com and I'll try to find some source material for you to see.
2007-09-19 10:02:40
2007-09-19 10:02:40
Chosen Answer
oildog#1: BEING THIS IS A RENTAL I WOULD LIFT THE GRATE AND WITH SPRAY ADHESIVE APPLY A GOOD COAT OF THE SPRAY TO THE UNDER SIDE THEN PUT YOUR CHOOSE OF MATERIAL IN A COLOR THAT YOU LIKE, THEN TRIM THE EDGES SO AS NOT TO KEEP THE GRATE FROM GOING BACK INTO THE HOLE NEXT TAKE 4 MIL. PLASTIC AND COVER THE MATERIAL ABOUT 3 INCHES ALL AROUND AND RE INSTALL THE GRATE. NOW TAKE A RAZOR KNIFE AND TRIM THE PLASTIC NEXT TO THE OUTER EDGES OF THE GRATE NO MESS NO FUSS DONE DEAL.
2007-09-19 11:41:17
oildog#1: BEING THIS IS A RENTAL I WOULD LIFT THE GRATE AND WITH SPRAY ADHESIVE APPLY A GOOD COAT OF THE SPRAY TO THE UNDER SIDE THEN PUT YOUR CHOOSE OF MATERIAL IN A COLOR THAT YOU LIKE, THEN TRIM THE EDGES SO AS NOT TO KEEP THE GRATE FROM GOING BACK INTO THE HOLE NEXT TAKE 4 MIL. PLASTIC AND COVER THE MATERIAL ABOUT 3 INCHES ALL AROUND AND RE INSTALL THE GRATE. NOW TAKE A RAZOR KNIFE AND TRIM THE PLASTIC NEXT TO THE OUTER EDGES OF THE GRATE NO MESS NO FUSS DONE DEAL.
2007-09-19 11:41:17