Floor vent covers conceal the unsightly, but necessary openings for the distribution of conditioned air into a home. And, more than their role as a veil for all of a home’s floor openings, they play an integral role in controlling the airflow throughout the home. In fact, balancing a home’s air conditioning is one of the most effective ways of ensuring a comfortable environment. Air balancing can rid a home of any hot or cold spots.
Floor vents come in a variety of finishes, styles, materials and sizes to match any décor or design need. From modern to classic and elegant to powerful, the variety of floor vent styles is seemingly endless. So much so, that the available options can leave some homeowners, and even designers, overwhelmed and perplexed. Starting with the fundamentals can help guide the process for choosing the right floor vent covers from among the wide range of available choices.
Here’s How to Choose Floor Vent Covers
Choose a Finish
Vents come in a variety of finishes. From black to silver and gold to bronze, there’s a color to match any application. The first step in picking the best suited product is to determine the finish. Matching the color of the flooring is a surefire way of pleasing the eye. However, some applications call for a carefully selected contrasting element. For example, a black floor vent cover over a white tile floor in a bathroom or kitchen will add a hard-to-ignore flair of drama.
Choose a Style
In each case, choosing an appropriate vent cover style is a science all its own. Some styles are conservative; others nontraditional. Some are appropriate for hardwood floors with contrasting, variegated grain, while other styles may look better with solid-color tile or laminate flooring. And, in some instances, the age and design of the home may determine which style vent will best fit. Craftsman homes, for example, will almost always call for bold, strong, clean and uncluttered floor vents. Anything too flashy will clash with the understated beauty of these timeless designs. Besides the architecture of the vent, consider how they are installed. For instance, some rest on top of the flooring and others finish flush with it. The flush-mount options can add an air of quality that their “drop-on-top” counterparts can’t match.
Choose a Material
Floor vents come in a variety of builds. From metal to plastic, there’s a material to suit any budget. Like anything, cost corresponds to quality. While it’s possible to get plastic floor vents for less than $20 each, they won’t last as long or look as stylish as more expensive variations. Conversely, solid steel floor vent covers may cost more, but are likely to be around for the long haul.
Choose the Size
Lastly, it should go without saying, choose the right size for each vent opening. The most common residential floor vent sizes are:
- 4”x10”
- 4”x12”
- 6”x10”
- 6”x12”
But, naturally, there’s a wide variety of possible sizes, so careful measurement of existing openings is crucial to ensure a proper fit. Or, for new home builds, carefully reviewing the plans and specifications should provide the needed information. Most manufacturers have a host of sizes to fit the requirements, and some can even provide made-to-order vents for those special applications.
Enjoy
Floor vents are often overlooked as a design element. However, quality and stylish vent covers add pops of unique detail. And it’s the small details that make the biggest difference in interior design. To pick the right vent cover, consider the finish, style, size and material to meet the budget. Whether it’s to spruce up an older space or embellish a new home, quality and stylish floor vent covers are the little details that will make a big difference.
