Build some vertical storage shelves underneath it! Make them run all the way up to where the U is, then drywall over the U or something so it isn't sticking out. Maybe even make a bigger covered space on top of the top shelf. Make the thing go all the way from the floor up to where the U meets, maybe some of those real dark aged bronze type metal supports that seem to be popular as finishes these days.
this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
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That's a really good idea - we could even remove the shelves entirely and have it just be log storage since there's a woodstove in that room. That might be the solution!
Geez. That is ugly. Couple of observations:
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the rafters are paralleled to the ‘turn’ it’s making to cross the beam. The photos suggests there is space above the support beam between the rafters. Are your contractors 100% positive that space can’t be utilized for this turn?
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This is ugly enough that I might consider totally re-doing that run of the ducting, and whatever else it might affect. Have your guys offered any such options? It’s probably expensive, but it’s probably better than an ugly-ass ‘something’ in the middle of the room.
Thanks, I completely agree. It is beyond ugly.
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Your first point: there is actually NO space above the support beam. Our HVAC guy grabbed a ladder and showed us. That beam is like 2-3 feet deep and goes all the way up. And they can't cut through because we're on a mountain and it has to support several hundred pounds of snow load.
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There is truly nowhere else to put the ducting. We walked all through the area with the HVAC guy and suggested idea after idea and there is physically no other location to run it. Hiding it is the only option, as horrifying as it is, unless we tear out the entire new HVAC system (which we can't do).
Bleh, yeah it can be hard to wrangle HVAC stuff. For that reason, I've put off my HVAC redesign here for a few years and have been heating strictly with wood until I can come up with a design that I like. Contractors will rarely take the time to make a design that will work with your space in an attractive way
An idea could be lowering the ceiling to create a faux-corridor or a "reverse island" and installing recessed lights on it. If you're into it you could also extend the base of the new lowered ceiling to form a shelf and then put plants on said shelf.
That's an interesting concept, I'll have to find some inspiration to figure out what that would look like
If it was me I guess I'd just soffit it out and try to make the soffit look interesting. It'll always be kinda weird, but whatcha gonna do
I actually came up with an idea - there's a woodstove in the room, so we are going to frame it out and make it look like deliberate tall, skinny log storage. We'll see how it goes.