How do I make a metal floor air grate look better?

Question

So I found a really cute rental home. Its an older home and there is an eyesore in the hallway. There is a big metal air intake grate right in the center, what can I put over it or where can I find a new one to change it out to. The ones that is on the floor is SUPER old. It takes away the charm of the beautiful refinished floors.

Answer 1

Measure it-fairly standard sizes, and get thee to an architectural junkyard. A really nifty brass one can be had for a song.

Answer 2

WAT ABOUT SPRAY PAINTIN IT  OR JUST TAKE  IT TO A HARDWARE STORE AND GET A PLASTIC 1 THAN PAINT IT

Answer 3

Are you sure its really an 'intake'?

Some of these older homes actually had the furnace under the hall like that, and its actually a heat vent.  IF that is what it is, it is likely be almost as wide as the hall.

If the grate is structurally sound... that is, no missing vanes, etc, then I would suggest that you clean it up and paint it.  This will probably involve removing some rust, or old peeling paint, with a wire brush etc.

IF this is a heat vent, you would need to use high temperature resistant paint.  (Which can be found at hardware and automotive stores, and some department stores.)

And, if this is an intake vent, you don't want to block it by covering it up, if you intend to use the unit.  (If its an intake vent, there may be an air filter in it)  Obviously, if its a heat vent, you REALLY don't want to cover it, hehehe.

Depending on the color of your flooring, you might opt for a metallic gold or silver color, or a high gloss black.

You might choose to investigate whether you could have the vent rerouted to another location (a nearby wall perhaps), and refloor the hall.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Home Depot has alot of differant ones in a few differant finishes

Answer 5

paint it by more various colour. it would be see like new.

for more information you may visit this site http://restorations-h4rdware.blogspot.co...

Answer 6

First, is it useful?  Do you still use the furnace under it?  If not, you can take the grate out and replace it with plywood.  You might have to add some wood framing materials for the floor to sit on.  If it is used in winter, then your only solution is to repaint it.  They are ugly, and there is no other option.  Plastic will break when it is stepped on, as I am sure you understand.  It is likely that if the owner refinished the floors and did not remove it, then the furnace is used regularly.  Besides being ugly, the furnace wastes energy.

Answer 7

Beautifully refinish the grate...... Or, if you locate a plain, simple table of the right size, place it over the grate.  You must be sure air has free access to the grate, so the table cannot have a low near-the-floor part.