furnace ducts under cabinets in short toe kick

Tenor · January 30, 2008, 11:32:36 AM

Because our cabinets will go under under the side windows, they will be shorter than usual. To help make up the lost space, I plan to make shorter toe-kicks. Has anyone found a source for rectangular ductwork to fit in there? Or has anyone come up with a different souloution? Thanks!

paulcjhastings · January 30, 2008, 12:10:47 PM

HVAC sheet metal shop will make ducts of almost any size you want.

John Z · January 30, 2008, 02:11:15 PM

Well, depending on what size of a toe kick you are making you may be able to use regular wall stack. I think it is only about 2 1/2" thick.

Reddog · January 30, 2008, 02:23:13 PM

I saw a guy make ducting out of rain gutter downspout material (metal, not plastic). Kinda hillbilly, but readily available and worked out well.
Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO

HB of CJ · January 31, 2008, 03:44:38 PM

How's your lower back? Mine sucks. We are planning on having the base cabinets two (2) to four (4) inches taller than normal sossss we do not have to bend over at the waist. Hate getting old. Of course the higher base cabinets will block the bottom of the side windows. Oh well. Putting the heat ducts in the base cabinet bottoms is a great idea...plus it will keep your toes warm on a cold morning.

Tenor · January 31, 2008, 04:09:58 PM

Well, since my wife and I could be considered low riders, (I'm 5', she's 5'4), I don't think we'll have a problem. That's also why I never plan do do a roof raise!

TomC · February 01, 2008, 09:31:51 AM

I made my kitchen counter standard height since I am 6'3". The counter tops do extend higher than the bottom of the windows, and my upper cabinets in the kitchen also extend well down into the window area, but believe me, it works! I kept the original big windows of the transit which are all the same size for uniformity, just eliminated the blocked windows, but the windows in the kitchen are partially blocked, you can't tell from the outside. Good Luck, TomC

TomC · February 01, 2008, 09:33:09 AM

Also-I made the toe kick 6 inches to facilitate the duct work for the furnace. Good Luck, TomC

Tenor · February 01, 2008, 11:14:58 AM

My windows are rv type and slide open foreward, so I'd be building over my screens.

TomC · February 01, 2008, 07:29:44 PM

My windows are RV type too (Peninsula). Just keep a 2" gap utilizing a rear back splash on the counter top and it'll be fine. Highly recommend you NOT build the counter tops short. Good Luck, TomC