anyone build a sleeve for a thru wall A/C unit?

[Kevin Gregoire]

i finally got myself a thru the wall air conditioner yesterday and i need a
sleeve for it and was going to order a factory one but i wonder if i cant
just make one myself?

a wood box my unit can slide into with a mesh grill on the end for the heat
exhaust should work?

i would cut the hole in my wall and frame it around this wood box, have a
pair of heavy duty metal shelf brackets on outer wall holding up the box.
slide my unit into it and screw it to the base of the box to lock it in. install
a mesh guard on the outside end and paint the whole thing and caulk all
around it after it dries?

has anyone else made their own A/C sleeve? if so, how about some pictures?

[Kevin Gregoire]

well i have decided im going to build a wood enclosure for my thru wall a/c unit.
i know it wont last as long as a metal one but im not paying $125 for the factory metal one.
so hopefully this will work just fine.

[Ben Franz]

I put in a PTAC - combo A/C, heat pump with electric heat assist - in my shop and the unit came with a sheet metal sleeve. I think your wood box will work but, as you said, have a shorter life due to weathering. For $125 saved you can replace it a couple of times as needed or .... use this as an excuse to get a sheet metal brake and make your own! Now, isn't that a silver lining?

[Kevin Gregoire]

I put in a PTAC - combo A/C, heat pump with electric heat assist - in my shop and the unit came with a sheet metal sleeve. I think your wood box will work but, as you said, have a shorter life due to weathering. For $125 saved you can replace it a couple of times as needed or .... use this as an excuse to get a sheet metal brake and make your own! Now, isn't that a silver lining?

i like how ben thinks! LOL

[Ben Franz]

Thanks, now if you could explain it to my wife....

[Chip Lindley]

With proper priming, painting, and caulking, a wooden sleeve around your A/C unit should last indefinitely. See what it looks like in 3 to 5 years and recaulk/repaint if necessisary. Spend your $125 on an awning over the A/C unit to protect it from weather, plus shade it for additional efficiency.

[David Nelson1]

i finally got myself a thru the wall air conditioner yesterday and i need a
sleeve for it and was going to order a factory one but i wonder if i cant
just make one myself?

a wood box my unit can slide into with a mesh grill on the end for the heat
exhaust should work?

i would cut the hole in my wall and frame it around this wood box, have a
pair of heavy duty metal shelf brackets on outer wall holding up the box.
slide my unit into it and screw it to the base of the box to lock it in. install
a mesh guard on the outside end and paint the whole thing and caulk all
around it after it dries?

has anyone else made their own A/C sleeve? if so, how about some pictures?

Kevin thats exactly waht I did but it was simplier for me due to the fact that u sed 8 block. T he opening as 1/3 again as large as need fo framing it was no problem.