What are the Different Types of Vent Covers?
Vent covers are made for both register vents and return air vents. There are several different types of vents and therefore several different types of vent covers. Vent covers might be made of wood or metal and are designed to simply cover a vent, giving it a finished look rather than leaving a hole in the wall, floor, or ceiling.
When selecting vent covers for your register vents and return air vents, it is important to pay attention to the types of vents you have. Vent covers for floor registers are made to fit the opening and simply rest in the hole, usually with no means of attachment because gravity holds them in place. On the contrary, a vent cover for a wall or ceiling vent will be designed to permanently attach to the wall or ceiling so it won’t fall out.
Several different styles of vent covers are available for the home, ranging from simple to decorative. Basic vent covers are typically made of metal and come in a variety of finishes, including coated white, brass, almond, and bronze. You should choose the finish that best matches your décor because, though painting metal vent covers is possible, it doesn’t last long. The paint will chip and become unsightly long before the wall or ceiling needs to be repainted. Wood vent covers can be stained or painted to match the interior, but are significantly more expensive than metal.
Decorative vent covers have intricate shapes or designs incorporated into the grill. These are more expensive than basic vent covers and are also available in different finishes. Most people only elect to install decorative vent covers when their home’s architecture and interior décor call for it, such as in the restoration of a Victorian style home or in stately homes with grand design or a specific period-style.
Vent covers, or more specifically air return grilles and covers, sometimes come with a filter built in. This can help reduce allergens in the circulating air, but a high-efficiency furnace with the proper filter should adequately do the job. When measuring for new vent covers, simply measure the width and height of the vent opening, rounding up to the nearest whole inch. Most manufacturers allow for extra space around the perimeter of the cover, and many sizes are standard. If you have an odd-shaped or very old vent, you can custom order vent covers from a variety of sources including your local home improvement store.
Written by J. Beam
