Ducting Systems and Air Ventilation - How to install toe kick vent in kitchen cabinet?

I want to add a toe kick vent (14 X 2 1/4) in the kitchen to increase the air flow. There is a 14 X 14 supply duct immediately under the cabinet in the basement so I have good access from underneath the floor.

What kind of boot do I need to connect the toe kick vent to a 6" flex pipe? Is there a stock boot that will work?

I assume I need a rectangular hole in the floor and in the toe kick. But how easy is it to slip the boot from underneath the floor into the toe kick cut-out? The cut-out in the floor must have to be large so the boot can be angle up through the floor and into the toe kick opening.

I will use a HVAC contractor to install the duct, but I prefer to make the cuts myself. Any advice on the procedure for doing this would be appreciated.

:)

Welcome to the forums! For most of the installations I have made, there are no ducts under the cabinets, just the register. The entire area under the cabinet(s) is used as a plenum. No space to turn a 6" duct in a 3 1/2" space.
But to the point. I usually remove the kick and make my cut in it outside. Depending on your register outside measurement, the cut can usually be completely through the kick. Just cut a 14" section out of it. The register will cover all the hole.

May want to ask the HVAC guy first as the plenim sounds to be a main run to a back area of rooms, maybe your bedroom? He knows to balance the system. Be safe, G

The duct feeds the kitchen and laundry room and is in the basement. There is no vent under the cabinet now. I found a 90 deg 6" circular to 14 X 2 1/2 boot that I think will work. I would cut a hole in the floor from the basement and a hole in the toe kick. I think I can then slip the 90 degree boot up from the basement and slip it into the toe kick. Then connect the boot to the duct with 6" flex pipe in the basement. Does that sound doable?

what size hole you going to cut in the floor?

I plan to cut a hole approximately 12X7 (for 12X2 toe kick vent) so a 90 degree 6" vent boot would slip up vertically from the basement and into the 12X2 opening in the toe kick. I want to make the minimum size hole of course. After I measured the access from the basement it turns out where I need to cut is partially blocked by a PVC drain pipe so the hole cut could be a challenge. And there may be interference with the boot projecting downward. The cut would go through 3/4" subfloor and 3/4" hardwood flooring under the cabinet so this is beyond my jig saw's capability. I am continuing my feasibility study before and if I jump in with both feet.

Beer 4U2

Frankly, I think you would be much better off putting a floor register. What you're proposing sounds good on paper but you'll find that it will be a real SOB to get it in there because of the floor thickness and I don't think you'll be able to cut the size hole you want in the toe kick with a jigsaw. The shoe on the jigsaw is too big. Then, since the boot is metal, you have to come up with a way to insulate it or it will sweat. Packing the cavity with expanding foam is my best suggestion for that challenge. Where is the existing kitchen register? Maybe that could be upsized and the duct going to it increased in size?

Yes putting in the toe kick would be a big challenge that I'm not sure I'm ready for. Changing that vent to a 14X4 would fix the problem, but since the existing floor vent cover is a flush wood type it would require refinishing the floor. This would more than likely show in a very prominent spot. If I had known how severely wood vent covers restrict the air flow, I would have had larger ones put in when the house was built. But I expected the HVAC contractor to make sure that the design of system was OK.

Thanks for your input.

Well chandlers idea of using the space under the cabinet as a plenum might work or perhaps a second floor outlet?