Replacing Old Heat Registers with New Retro-Mod Covers

Do you have an old home or have you worked on a historic/registered renovation before if you’re in the skilled trades industry? Whether residential or commercial, sites like this are a sight to be seen, featuring breathtaking ornate and unique detail everywhere you look—from the ceiling or tall windows down to doors, lower walls, and floors.  

No matter what year the build, every site has its pros and cons. It’s no debate that old historic homes and buildings have a whole lot of charm . . . and inefficient HVAC systems. Whether you’re spotting cracked or rusty old baseboard heaters, radiators, or vent covers, it may be time to consider replacing old heat registers. 

 

#1.  Treat Your Old Home as a Treasure

 First off, if you have an old home, why not see it as an investment . . . and consider registering it as a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places list? The National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program that coordinates and supports both public and private efforts to identify and protect America's historic resources. 

Historic districts could protect your home's investment value, and if your home is an income-producing historic property, you may even qualify for a 20% federal income tax credit to sustain school, stores, and offices in your neighborhood or town. You can learn more and see if your residential or commercial space meets the proper requirements by visiting the NPS.gov website.

Regardless of whether you register your residence or not, you will want to take a close look at your old home’s existing HVAC system . . . 

 

#2.  Assess the HVAC System of Your Historic Home

Proper heating and cooling is essential for livable and comfortable conditions . If you indeed have an old house, your HVAC system is most likely run down or could use fine tuning . . . or an entire overhaul. You will want to contact an HVAC company or contractors to assess and ensure your HVAC is up to code and what are the right solutions if not. 

Do a bit of research yourself to learn more about your old home’s ventilation needs. If your home has a large attic, basement, or crawl space, you may want to consider upgrading to a full central air conditioning system complete with floor or ceiling registers in each room; or at the very least if you need a faster or more affordable option, consider installing window AC units.

Perhaps your historic home has pipes and radiators—which may mean your site has a gas boiler system with a pump that circulates heated water throughout. Some old homes cannot even accommodate ductwork; if that’s the case for your space, think about a mini-split system.

If your house can have ductwork but does not currently have it, ask your contractor about a high-velocity AC/heating system—this involves small tubes that “snake” through and around tight areas and will not be obtrusive to registers on ceilings, walls, or floors.

#3.  Revamp Air Vent Covers

Since 1978, Reggio Register has been creating register and grille covers with the goal of replicating high quality metal grilles like those cast 100 of years ago. Each is designed to last a lifetime and enrich sites ranging from public buildings and historic sites to new build and fixer-uppers alike. No matter the age of your home, it’s always a good time to replace old and unsightly air vents with Reggio Register’s retro, modern, contemporary, and other period style register covers.  

 

 

So whether or not you overhaul your entire HVAC system, be sure to at least upgrade the vent covers (which are quite easy to replace). While any Reggio Register options would look stunning in an old home or antique shop, consider these historic-feel register/grille covers below if you want to keep that “something old, something new” appeal. 

 

Two Historic Styles (The Scroll & The Square)

Our handcrafted registers are built to last (and look good) for a lifetime. The Square or Scroll register patterns are created with traditional methods: die or sand casting. Both designs are inspired by vent covers found in historic homes—why not preserve that sense of tradition by adding either in your own old home? 

The Scroll is our ready-to-install register that comes complete with louver for airflow. With curving geometric and almost-floral-like lines, this design would add romantic old world charm to any space, especially a historic site.

 

Other Historic Looks

The Versailles

 

 

Victorian meets French Baroque design in our made-to-order Versailles grille cover. Named after the Palace of Versailles (which is listed as a World Heritage Site located in Versailles and about 12 miles from Paris, France), it’s no question this 17th/18th century-inspired register would look fit in royally in your own historic registered home.

 

The Sunray

 

 

Like natural light bursting through a beautiful stained glass window, our Sunray grille would add a playful geometric punch to old-fashioned settings. Its intertwining style is unexpected but still would pack in plenty of charm to any historic home style. 

 

The Edison

 

 

Think of our Edison grille/register like Edison lamps of today: industrial meets Mid-Century Modern style. Built to bear resemblance to historic lead pane windows with diamond detailing, the Edison air vent cover will add a glint of architectural appeal in any older home duct opening.

So if you have an old home, the key is to think about all of the hidden and visible potential within your space. First, consider registering your house or commercial building  as an official historic site. Regardless if you do this or not, think about upgrading your HVAC system, or even easiest yet, simply retrofitting register covers to rejuvenate the aesthetics (and airflow efficiency).