by Chris Follin
Posted July 16, 2025

Most rooftop units aren't a one-for-one swap-and that's where curb adapters come in.

When replacing old HVAC equipment, the existing roof curb rarely matches the footprint, duct layout, or bolt pattern of the new unit. Without a curb adapter, installers are left scrambling to fabricate fixes on-site-costing time, materials, and crane hours.

A properly designed curb adapter bridges the gap. It allows a new unit to fit an existing curb and ductwork without tearing up the roof. That means less downtime, fewer headaches, and a clean, code-compliant install.

Curb adapters are critical on retrofit jobs, especially in commercial and industrial spaces where time and access are limited. They're also essential for ensuring correct airflow, load distribution, and weather sealing-all of which affect system performance and longevity.

Bottom line: curb adapters aren't just a convenience. On most projects, they're the only practical way to get the job done right-and fast.