| Background Information | | | | When searching for grilles and register covers - |
| Vintage style register and vent covers usually | | | | you will need to keep two dimensions in mind. The |
| were hand cast and polished and came in a wide | | | | first is called the boot size - this is the actual size |
| variety of styles. Today, you can find a few | | | | of the open hole. The second is the overall size. |
| pieces auctioned online but seldom can you find | | | | Typically, the overall size is about 1 to 2 inches |
| complete sets. Popularized in the late 1890's and | | | | larger than the boot or hole size (this is the lip |
| early 1900's, both solid brass and cast iron grilles | | | | that allows the cover to stay in place without |
| and register covers came in many shapes, sizes | | | | falling into the hole). Once you know what size |
| and colors. In those days, heating systems were | | | | you need, the second consideration is pattern. |
| gravity fed - and large cast iron grates would be | | | | There are many different patters out there - |
| found in the floors to allow the stoked furnace to | | | | from Victorian to Roanoke - Italian to Art Deco. |
| radiate heat to the upper floors. These grates | | | | All of these vent covers can be found on open |
| could have been as small as an 8 inch by 10 inch | | | | markets such as eBay, but finding an entire set in |
| size or as large as 4 feet by 8 feet. These heavy | | | | a single pattern is difficult and often quite costly - |
| duty cast Iron vent covers and grilles were stylish | | | | especially when you take size into account. |
| and functional. | | | | Finding the exact size and style is also quite |
| | | | difficult - but it is possible to enlarge or shrink the |
| Registers Versus Grilles | | | | actual boot size of your wall or floor. There are |
| What is the difference between a register and a | | | | other options - so don't despair. Genuine |
| grille (or grill)? A register comes with directional | | | | reproductions can be found online - in many |
| louvers while a grille does not. Also, these can | | | | different shapes and sizes - giving you flexibility |
| come drilled or plain. Drilled grills or registers have | | | | and allowing you to replace these original Grills and |
| holes for mounting screws and can be secured to | | | | Register covers. Besides, brass and iron are |
| a wall or ceiling. Louvers often add quite a bit to | | | | natural metals and after a few years of use - it |
| the price and are seldom needed - so consider | | | | will be hard to tell a true antique piece from a |
| the use of a grille instead of a louvered register | | | | new hand crafted reproduction. Not only will they |
| and it will save you quite a bit of money. | | | | enhance the beauty of your home or business, |
| Finding Replacements or New Reproductions | | | | they will add value to the buildings, too. |