How to Install Air Duct Covers

Wherever you might have ducts in your home, you should have air duct covers placed over them. Not only is it safer to have these, it is also a lot better looking if you have the air ducts covered with some sort of air vent cover. It is not all that difficult to install these covers and should not take very much of your time to get them installed. Here is a guide to show you how to do it.

Step 1 - Measure the Air Duct

The first thing that will need to do to complete this project is to take the tape measure and measure for the size of the vent you are going to need to cover the air duct opening.

Step 2 - Remove the Old Cover

Use your screwdriver to remove the screws and the old vent cover if there is one there that needs to be replaced.

Step 3 - Measure Inner Vent Opening

After you have removed the old vent, you will need your tape measure again. Take the tape measure and measure the inner part of the vent opening. The vent openings are not always cut perfectly or cut in a “universal” size. Make sure that you also take the old vent and measure the actual inside of the cover, the section that fits tightly into the air duct opening.

Step 4 - Check for Dust

While you have the air duct exposed, it is a good time to inspect the air duct and check for any debris or excessive amounts of dust. If you find that there is, then you should take the hose from your vacuum and completely vacuum out the immediate area that has the dust and debris.

Step 5 - Prepare Screw Holes

The next thing you are going to want to do is to check out the existing screw holes. They may be a little big for your new screws. If that is the case, you will need to insert plastic anchors into the holes. This will help your new cover to be screwed in or attached much more securely. Try to avoid using large screws to attach the cover with. If you have no choice but to use larger screws, then you will need to drill new holes for the screws to fit in properly.

Step 6 - Secure the Vent

Now you are ready to secure the vent cover over the opening of your air duct. Make sure that your cover fits all around and that it is flush with the floor, and is not uneven. The last thing you will do is attach it with a couple of mounting screws to finish the job.

Something to Remember

If you have other vents throughout the house, it is important to remember that they may not all be the exact same measurements as the first one that you did. Thus, it is vital that you measure each one of the vents that you are covering before you proceed with replacing them with their new vent covers.