I’m finishing my laundry room using drywall, I framed out around my oil furnace using metal studs. Seeing that it needs to be serviced once a year I’m looking for some ideas on what to use to have it match (as close as possible) to the rest of the room, but can easily be removed for the yearly cleaning. Any ideas?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Upgrading the footings and columns that support a girder beam is an opportunity to level out the floor above.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Paneling of your choice put up with Stainless Screws and Finish Trim Rings
Before boxing in your furnace completely, you have to consider combustion air supply, and clearance to combustible surfaces.
Have you checked the manufactures requirements for these?
Have you considered using cement board with j trim to make removable panels and connect them to the studs using quick connect hardware and metal backing plates? The cement board can be finished with sheetrock 90 and even painted in the laundry area. This would be good for major repairs to remove the furnace, but not for regular maintenance.
Perhaps it's best to make the enclosure or access large enough to allow a furnace repairman to enter the area by a door to do his work. The door can be louvered for air. There are commercial metal doors with louver panels, some even fire rated. More expensive than drywall, but better than a repair man refusing to work on the furnace for regular or even emergency repairs.
I agree with Kevin_Edmund. Make the furnace room big enough. Say you are away on a business trip or, heaven forbid, in the hospital with a broken leg and the furnace breaks down. Is your wife going to know how to remove wall panels if the furnace breaks down? Is the service person going to be willing to remove panels?