Given how busy I’ve been, I had the grand idea that I would do a couple of easy projects on my bedroom makeover to get things rolling. I started out hanging some shelves – which went according to plan – and then thought I would tackle covering up the gaping holes in the walls where our ducts come in.
This should have been an easy one. Not only is it a pretty intuitive fix (cover it with something), but I already had a solid plan and all the materials purchased.
Sometimes projects go as expected. Sometimes they don’t.
The Problem
One of the things that makes this project a little more challenging is that when we did our renovation, it included adding much larger baseboards than before. The baseboards now run across the bottom of the ducts, making them a non-standard size.
My initial foray into wall register shopping revealed that it is surprisingly counter-intuitive and confusing. When shopping for registers, you are usually shopping by the interior dimension of the dampers/louvres, looking for something that will pop right into the opening and hold itself there. So my non-standard size turned out to be a big problem.
And, even if I could find the right size, there is also a lip that extends beyond that, and I’m not big on the idea of cutting into my new trim to put these in.
The Second Problem
After much sulking and lamenting the extreme expensiveness of high quality wall grates (seriously, the prices are insane), I came up with a new plan. I figured that I could buy grilles or air returns (which are just for taking air back out of the room, and lay flat against the wall without dampers/louvres on the back) and just stick them over the open holes. The dimensions wouldn’t need to be quite as exact, and I could just set them flush with the top edge of the trim so I wouldn’t need to cut into it.
Further, I thought it would be really fun to go shopping for these at architectural salvage places, collect a bunch in different shapes, strip the old paint down to the cast-iron finish, and have coordinating but mismatched grates all around the house.
On a trip that Sage and I took a few months ago, I even found one that I loved. And, with grate luck, it was the right size for the bedroom!
Okay, it looks bad there, but just imagine it without the ugly old paint, and the shape is really cool. I had really high expectations for how awesome this scheme would turn out.
Of course, the first step in any old paint removal project is to do a lead test to see what you’re dealing with. I followed the package directions, cut a little gouge in the paint, and rubbed it with the test pad.
Of course, clever blog visitor, you can probably tell by the title of this section that the test came out positive.
I’m sure that there are ways to strip it, but that’s not a project that I feel comfortable taking on. Not worth the risk in my opinion. So I had to put this grate aside and come up with a new idea – and fast, since this was supposed to be my fun and easy project to accomplish and I had a blog post to write!
The Third Problem
I gave up on the salvaged grate idea – at least for now – since another trip to the architectural salvage places isn’t in the schedule cards for a while, and headed to the internet to find a more accessible solution. Since I was looking for what might end up being temporary, I didn’t want to spend a ton of money. So I was glad enough to find this line of air return grilles at Home Depot which are reasonably attractive for a reasonable amount of money.
Sold. I measured and bought two in different sizes (there is another grate behind the bed that I didn’t bother taking pictures of), waited for them to ship to the store, and then went after work to pick them up.
Project nearly done? Nope.
Apparently I didn’t measure correctly, or didn’t notice that I was buying a floor register with dampers rather than a wall air return grille without them? Whatever the reason, when I went to do my installation I obviously could not. I had to go back online, buy a new (and correctly measured) grille, wait for it to ship to the store, and go back to get it.
I also had to come up with something else to tell the internet about on this blog, since this project was taking a good month longer than planned.
The Final Problem
Once I finally had my grilles in hand, I was excited to lay this issue to rest!
Installing them was super easy. They even came with screws that matched the finish of the grate. The only minor roadblock were some little metal pieces designed to fit into the duct which prevented them from lying flat against the wall.
I took care of these with the nuanced solution of banging them with a hammer.
But did you think that was the final problem that I was referring to? Oh, I wish that it was. The problem is that this is what it looks like now that it is finally installed:
Yes, it sits far enough up that you can totally see the wall behind the top edge of it. It is pretty noticeable. Unfortunately, these only come in size increments of two inches, so there isn’t an easy downgrade in this line (or most grate lines that I’ve seen) that would solve the issue.
For now, I’m leaving it. If not perfect, it does look better, it stops stuff from accidentally falling down into the ducts, and I’m sick and tired of trying to find an alternative. This won’t be our long-term solution, but we’ve been living with the gaping holes for so long that I can hardly consider it beneath my dignity.
Clearly, my expectations were not met with this project, and I’m a bit at a loss for what to do from here. Should I give up and cut into the trim to properly install real wall registers? DIY some grates? Go back to my architectural salvage idea and carry a lead test in my purse? Do you have another idea? Your advice would be appreciated!
Maybe you can paint the wall that is peeking through black, so it won’t be noticeable.
I think it looks “grate”. Sorry it was such a pain in the butt though.
I was thinking of that! Good suggestion, although I am hesitant to mess up the paint on the wall if this is a temporary solution… but then again I thought having no grates would be temporary and it lasted two years!
Looks great. We can all relate to headaches like that…if you get too annoyed, you could always paint the little piece of the wall black so that it doesn’t stand out underneath. That’s my idea because I’m lazy and impatient. : )
I just might end up doing that Jessica! The thought of taking this down and figuring out something new is not appealing. Sage suggested black construction paper along that top strip as a way to get that effect without ruining the paint job. Genius!
Paint the strip of wall that shows black or the same finish as the grate so it will fade away and be less noticeable. It looks better than the rough hole! ☺
I think you will be able to fix it with paint and be much happier.
I am starting to see a consensus here!! I thought I was crazy/insanely lazy for considering that as a viable idea but I think I’ll need to go with the wisdom of the crowd…
Don’t paint it. Put black electrical tape on the section of the wall you can see. That way if it’s not permanant, just peel it off.
That was my first thought. Electrical tape is far quicker and more remove-able than paint.
I agree, and if not black electrical tape, then paint a piece of cardboard or something that is cut to fit the size of the wall that overlaps the grate and stick it on the wall.
Yes, and maybe if the cardboard is thick enough, it will just be held in there by the grate itself?
I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! Thanks Mary Anne!
THAT IS BRILLIANT.
I think this DIY is what you’re looking for:
http://www.friendly-home.net/2012/10/a-better-looking-return-air-grille.html
Oh, that is grate! I mean, great 😉
A Tale of Two Fittings!
Hard Times, indeed.
Tape on the wall will leave residue if/when you try to pull if off, and electrical tape is shiny.
I would try to put a thin strip of wood (1/8″ thick x2″?) on the back side of the grate, paint that black. you might even be able to use paper or cardboard, but that probably wont last as long. this could probably be atached to the grate with double stick tape or hot glue.
Or use the cut-off wheel on your dremel and cut a strip off the bottom of the grate so it sits lower on the wall.
Really good idea of attaching it to the back of the grate rather than the wall! I bet that would make installation a lot easier, too. Thanks, Eric!
My first thought was to paint the grate the same colour as the wall .
Yes! let go of the idea that all the metal fittings in the house have to be bronze-colored. Painting the grates the same as the wall will make them disappear instead of shouting look at me. Way to go Lynn.
Thanks, Lynn and Mary Ann! That would definitely solve the issue. But I sort of like the contrast with the wall of an intricate metal grate? There are so few architectural features in the house I don’t want to give one up?
OK, it seems your fanci blog thinks I’m posting spam, so let me try this another way. There’s a WONDERFUL DIY grate cover out there, if you google “friendly home return air grille” you will find it. It might be a fun solution to your problem.
Thanks for keeping trying, Stacey! I found your comment in the spam filter and approved it out 🙂 Sorry, we’ve got a pretty good system but it does catch a few good comments now and then along with the bad, especially when there are links (even to awesome DIY tutorials like yours had).
Team ‘Paint / disguise the wall’ here! Or I’d just grab a mask, a spray water bottle (to keep it wet and minimize dust) and head outside on a non windy day to sand off the least amount of paint possible to smooth out the surface a little of that cool vintage one and hit it with a few layers of spray paint on both sides to seal it.
Another thought would be to use some of metal sheets that they sell at Home Depot and just cut it to size with a simple DIY wood frame around it. (Like this: http://www.friendly-home.net/2012/10/a-better-looking-return-air-grille.html)
Thanks, Michelle! I think you’re on a winning team 🙂
I haven’t tossed the salvaged one yet, but I’m not sure what I’ll do about it…
There are also these, which come in a ton of sizes
http://www.vintagehardware.com/proddetail.php?prod=Antique-Recreated-Cast-Iron-Floor-Ceiling-Or-Wall-Grate-For-Air-Or-Heat-Vent.-Register-Cover-Without-Dampers.-Sizes%3A-2.25-inch-x-10-to-14-inch-x-16-inch%28ZM-IR-210%29
Thanks for the tip! Those look really nice!
I agree with the tape….but I would probably use painters tape and paint it black so it would still come off easily…
Great (grate) idea!
Home Depot has grill that is in pieces large enough for you to cut to the size you need. They have some really pretty ones too. Last time I saw them they were on the end isle on the nuts and bolts.. Ask about them. They come in copper, black, silver and galvanized. You can make your own to fit.
Thanks for the tip, Gail! I’ll check that out.
I would go with something dark and temporary over the paint that shows, as many have said. But then also, I believe there are places you can take the salvaged grates to have the paint removed by someone else, I am thinking of furniture refinishers. They would also likely put on a finish of your choice. They end up dealing with old handles of antique furniture and know how to do metals. Then you can find an use the antique grates that you wanted originally. I may have a place in mind that would do it, but they are more likely to take on the job if you have a few to do at once. Thus a temporary solution for the bedroom while you find more antiques?
Yes, I think this is a temporary solution for sure… good idea on the lead removal service! I’ll just need to find enough grates to get up the motivation to do it all at once…
put something dark behind it.
paint the grills white?
Thanks, Wilma! I’m definitely being won over by the overwhelming “put something dark behind it” chorus. 🙂
Painting the wall black was my first thought, too. And I, too, have been horrified in the past by how expensive the nicer versions of those ugly things are. When we were selling our last house, I was at home depot to buy one to replace a rusty one, and I got really fixated on buying a BEAUTIFUL one for like 5 times as much. Then I realized that that was stupid, because we were moving, and one looking at my house was going to care that it had ONE pretty register cover thing.
I know – the prices are crazy! Even the salvaged ones are a lot (although not quite as bad). There MUST be a way to make these more affordable while still being nice.
Personally, I would either cut into the base board or add length to the duct so that the register ends up above the base board. Ours were designed so that the registers go all the way to floor level.
Also, I’m not sure why you’re so worried about removing the lead paint. The main issue with lead paint is leaving it in place, especially if it’s flaking or if you have kids or pets that might lick it, etc. You don’t want to use a method like sanding or heat gunning that create dust, but a small item like that is a great candidate for using a paint stripper solution to remove the lead paint. Another option is to let it soak in simple green or even hot water with soap (http://www.designsponge.com/2013/01/before-and-after-cleaning-vintage-hardware.html). Just be sure to search how your area wants you to dispose of the paint afterwards.