Suggestions for magnetic air register covers?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 29, 2012 at 3:55am

Just use Saran wrap since it's only temporary.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on July 29, 2012 at 6:51am

Bob, I hear you, but this client is at least a little bit concerned with aesthetics, as they have a family member living in the basement. I am pretty sure that if I recommend saran wrap they will not be pleased with the recommendation, no matter how much it achieves their short term goal.

In my world, I'd put saran wrap (or similar) up all day long, but I am just living in that world of my clients.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 29, 2012 at 8:47am

I didn't figure anybody that lived in a basement would be picky, but I understand the need to please your customers. Since somebody is using that space why cut off all airflow? How difficult would it be to retrofit with butterfly dampers? How about stuffing something into the duct right behind the register? The problem with shutting off the registers is the whistling noise...

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on July 30, 2012 at 5:34am

Good points Bob.

I guess I will just try to convince the HO to have the registers permanently closed off.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by John Nicholas on August 10, 2012 at 6:26am

Remove the register and attach your choice of sealing material inside the register. Then reattach the register.  Saran Wrap, Duct Mask, Magnetic Material, CardBoard.  Cut to fit on site.  I've done this with supplies in the furnace room.  Returns in the furnace room, I use the magnetic on the outside.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on August 10, 2012 at 6:33am

Great advice.

Thank you John!

Patrick

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Navin on July 30, 2012 at 5:39am

Go to your local sign company-have them cut pieces of the material they use for magnetic vehicle signs.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 30, 2012 at 3:36pm

Air pressure will most likely blow them off.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on July 30, 2012 at 3:46pm

Interesting that you say that Bob. I had been pondering that.

It appears that I will just have to opt for permanently sealing the registers.

Thanks gents!

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Navin on August 2, 2012 at 5:18am

Good point,,,if you were sealing a high percentage of the registers in a house. I was thinking that they would do ok since they stand up to 70 mph wind, but that is shear strength, not direct pressure. But then again, how much pressure will there be-most of it would be relieved by the registers upstairs, no? And then it would be mostly a matter of shear strength. And far less than a speedy vehicle.

Maybe another alternative is to stuff the registers with foam board-maybe scraps from other jobs.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on August 2, 2012 at 6:11am

I like where you're going with this. I had considered the same thing (as there is a heck of a lot of scraps of rigid foam around the office here).

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Permalink Reply by Ed Minch on August 2, 2012 at 10:35am

Many times we have used sign material and it won't blow of 99% of the time. And don't have the guy cut it as you can do that with a razor knife and a board or with a big pair of scissors.   You can get it is sheets or rolls, and a 12" roll will go a long way.  We have tried this on duct testing, but it doesn't work unless you depressurize - that's a whole other story on pressure/de-pressure in duct testing.  And you have to be careful of the little lever that opens and closes the louvers - cut a hole for it or cut the cover short of it.  And if you don't like that, sell her a couple of pieces of your duct testing tape if you still use it.

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