I cannot remember who was talking about filters for the exterior HVAC grilles. I couldn't find any so I cut two squares of polyester batting (not Dacron but the same stuff) to have some DIY filters, like this. My ventilator has filters but I want to stop insects from using the ducts as a place to make a home. For example, imagine if a wasps' nest filled and blocked a vent part way along a run; I would like to avoid having to dismantle the HVAC setup if I can.
I have not reported anything in over two months; what have I been doing? My builder chap said he had outdoor jobs to do over the summer and that has left me time to continue at a more relaxed pace, mostly just tidying up and preparing things. Slovakia has had a massive resurgence of Covid-19 which, sensibly, resulted in a 90-day lockdown that will take us to the end of the year and twice testing the entire population.
So treat this as an interim (incomplete) update.
First up, the HVAC guys didn't have a T-shaped piece in stock so they cut a hole in a duct and added one of these:
The hole has rough edges which will not show and may not add much noise to the air current.
I decided that the edge could disrupt the smooth, silent air flow ...
... and I had the time to file the edge smooth, caulk the join and tape over the dry caulk to give air a smoother path. If nothing else it gives me peace of mind.
There will be a drop ceiling under the ducts in the studio. I looked at all the colour possibilities on the 'net and then discovered that locally I can only buy white. Painting them grey was going to be easier and cheaper than importing them from abroad. Two coats of primer and two of the final grey colour, all done with a miniature paint roller by my wife.
The job of dismantling the 41 traps I made 9 years ago is in progress. The hessian (burlap in the US) gets binned and the thousands of furniture staples that held the hessian in place are painstakingly removed with a screwdriver and pliers. The screwed wooden frames are dismantled and the insulation will be reused, sitting above the drop ceiling.
My designer, John Brandt, wants tiles in the drop ceiling that are more acoustically transparent than I can buy locally, so I am making my own, 99 of them, from the old trap frames. They will be covered with grey breathable fabric and have polyester batting filling.
I have an idea for a more creative and inspiring ceiling that just an office type dropceiling. It will involve 7 hexagons. Here is a mock-up I made from an old pallet. We will see how these turn out as even the mock-up is not yet finished.
Also using old pallets, I have been practising making holders for lights. This was my first attempt.
Then I rememberd that Jennifer cut perfect circles by making a jig for her jigsaw, so I copied her idea. Thanks, Jennifer!
Now that's what I call a circle!
The lights are made to hang from a ceiling but I would like them to sit flush with the ceiling. As there will be space above I can recess them; I just need to build a bracket that they can be secured to. It is all good fun experimenting.
These things will become clearer when I am further along and can show you where and how they fit into the bigger picture.