Framing a soffit with wood and Sheetrock is a great way to conceal heating ducts and pipes.
While exposed heating ducts are an interesting addition to an industrial decor, many people choose to hide their heating ducts within a Sheetrock soffit. Sheetrock is a brand of gypsum drywall that is available from most home improvement stores. A soffit is a necessary addition when using Sheetrock to disguise a heating duct, as you should never attach Sheetrock directly to a heating duct. The holes that drywall screws would create in the heating duct would compromise efficiency by letting air leak. Enclosing a duct within a soffit can help increase heating efficiency because it provides an opportunity to insulate the ductwork.
Instructions
1. Use the stud finder to find the ceiling joists closest to the heating ducts. Mark them with a pencil so you can find them later.
2. Measure the length, height and width of the heating duct you want to cover. Measure the width to include the space between the ceiling joists, as the soffit will run the space between the joists. Write all measurements down.
3. Cut the 2 x 2 pieces of wood to fit the length, height and width measured using the circular saw. Cut enough pieces of the width and height measurement to space the studs no more than 15 inches apart. Cut four lengths of the length-measured wood.
4. Attach the length-measured wood to the ceiling joists on either side of the heating duct with drywall screws.
5. Frame a U-shaped soffit with the remaining wood, and screw it together with wood screws. Attach the U-shaped framing to the wood attached to the ceiling joists with wood screws. Screw them in at a diagonal angle to secure each piece of wood.
6. Measure and cut Sheetrock pieces long enough to cover the wood framing using a utility knife. Attach the drywall to the frame using drywall screws.
7. Finish the Sheetrock seams and edges as desired, with either corner bead, tape-and-joint compound, or plaster. Sand and paint the finished soffit.
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