Registers Buying Guide


Beelman Brass Wall Register in Antique Brass Beelman Brass Wall Register in Antique Brass

Registers, otherwise known as air vent covers, help regulate the airflow coming from your HVAC unit in floors, walls and ceilings throughout your home. Not only do they serve an important function, but they can also serve as decorative accents. Replacing your registers is a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to upgrade and update the look of any room.

How To Measure Your Registers

While many different designs exist, there are also a variety of sizes available, which may vary from room to room. It is important that you measure each register that you’re replacing to ensure that you’re ordering the correct sizes. A common mistake when trying to determine a register's size is measuring the overall length and width of the grille, also known as the face of the register. A register is measured by the size of its louvers, which is the bottom of the register that fits into the ventilation duct. To measure your register properly, remove the existing register from the floor, wall, or ceiling in which it is installed. Then, measure the length and width of the air duct opening. If the size of the duct measures 4"x10", for example, then a 4"x10" register is what you’ll need.

Milnor, Astoria, Beelman, Alexey  Floor & Wall Register in Antique Bronze, Antique Brass, Brushed Bass & Brushed Nickel Milnor, Astoria, Beelman, Alexey  Floor & Wall Register in Antique Bronze, Antique Brass, Brushed Bass & Brushed Nickel

Modern

Traditional

Victorian

Geometric

Brass
Bronze
Cast Iron
Steel

Almond

Black

Brushed Nickel

Chrome

Copper

Oil Rubbed Bronze

Polished Brass

White



Frequently Asked Questions

What is an oversized register?

In larger gathering areas, such as the living room and family room, you may find registers that are larger than 8"x14". These bigger registers are referred to as "oversized registers," which can range anywhere from 6"x22" to 9"x22" in a rectangular shape, or 10"x10" up to 15"x15" in a square shape. A size larger than 15"x15" is generally referred to as an air return grille, or a "grille only," meaning that it contains no louvers or adjustable dampers.

What is the size of a standard wall or floor register?

Standard register sizes can range anywhere from 2-1/4"x10" up to 8"x14". The most common sizes are 4"x10", 4"x12", 6"x10", and 6"x12" in medium-sized rooms such as bedrooms and dining rooms. Smaller sizes may be found in areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, and hallways.

What is a flush-mount register?

Flush-mount registers are made to fit seamlessly into hardwood flooring. When installed, the register lies flush with the flooring, leaving no raised lip. This type of register is typically made of unfinished wood so that it can be stained to match the color of your floor. Flush-mount registers are easy to keep clean and provide your hardwood flooring with a smooth, continuous feel.

How do I install a register?

Floor registers simply fit into the opening in your floor. Some registers and air returns can be secured with screws, but that is usually not necessary. Small wall registers are often held into the wall by tension springs or clips. Larger, heavier registers may come with screws for extra security. See our Register Installation Guide for more information on register installation.

What is the difference between a register and an air vent cover?

While an air vent cover simply covers the opening of your air duct, registers offer the aesthetic plus adjust your air flow from the opening and closing of the louver.

Are plastic or metal floor registers better?

While plastic registers often come at a lower cost, they offer less durability and character than metal options. Metal registers are also a great choice for bathrooms due to their corrosion-resistant properties.

Can you use floor register as a return vent?

Any of our registers can be used as air returns by removing the louvers and steel box that houses them. This can be done on-site simply by taking out the four screws that hold them in place.

Can I use a floor register as a wall register?

Spring mounted clips are provided with wall registers, giving them wall-mounting capabilities. Without these clips, you could not use your floor register as a wall register. If you’re interested in converting yours, spring-mounted clips can be purchased from any hardware store. A simple DIY fix, attach these clips onto the louver with a screwdriver and push into the duct work for a secure fit.

What is an oversized register?

In larger gathering areas, such as the living room and family room, you may find registers that are larger than 8"x14". These bigger registers are referred to as "oversized registers," which can range anywhere from 6"x22" to 9"x22" in a rectangular shape, or 10"x10" up to 15"x15" in a square shape. A size larger than 15"x15" is generally referred to as an air return grille, or a "grille only," meaning that it contains no louvers or adjustable dampers.

What is the size of a standard wall or floor register?

Standard register sizes can range anywhere from 2-1/4"x10" up to 8"x14". The most common sizes are 4"x10", 4"x12", 6"x10", and 6"x12" in medium-sized rooms such as bedrooms and dining rooms. Smaller sizes may be found in areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, and hallways.

What is a flush-mount register?

Flush-mount registers are made to fit seamlessly into hardwood flooring. When installed, the register lies flush with the flooring, leaving no raised lip. This type of register is typically made of unfinished wood so that it can be stained to match the color of your floor. Flush-mount registers are easy to keep clean and provide your hardwood flooring with a smooth, continuous feel.

How do I install a register?

Floor registers simply fit into the opening in your floor. Some registers and air returns can be secured with screws, but that is usually not necessary. Small wall registers are often held into the wall by tension springs or clips. Larger, heavier registers may come with screws for extra security. See our Register Installation Guide for more information on register installation.

What is the difference between a register and an air vent cover?

While an air vent cover simply covers the opening of your air duct, registers offer the aesthetic plus adjust your air flow from the opening and closing of the louver.

Are plastic or metal floor registers better?

While plastic registers often come at a lower cost, they offer less durability and character than metal options. Metal registers are also a great choice for bathrooms due to their corrosion-resistant properties.

Can you use floor register as a return vent?

Any of our registers can be used as air returns by removing the louvers and steel box that houses them. This can be done on-site simply by taking out the four screws that hold them in place.

Can I use a floor register as a wall register?

Spring mounted clips are provided with wall registers, giving them wall-mounting capabilities. Without these clips, you could not use your floor register as a wall register. If you’re interested in converting yours, spring-mounted clips can be purchased from any hardware store. A simple DIY fix, attach these clips onto the louver with a screwdriver and push into the duct work for a secure fit.


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