Where can I find the gigantic wood air return grates?

[jfrickind]

We have two of the giant air return vents in our house; one in the dining room and one in the front room.  Right now they have a wooden grate over each (20" x 30" and 18" x 60" - or close to it) but they are somewhat delicate and will need to be replaced at some point. 

1.  Where can I find replacements for these things or are they specially made?
2.  What's the ballpark figure of replacing these giants?

Thanks!

JD

[watcher]

We have two of the giant air return vents in our house; one in the dining room and one in the front room.  Right now they have a wooden grate over each (20" x 30" and 18" x 60" - or close to it) but they are somewhat delicate and will need to be replaced at some point. 

1.  Where can I find replacements for these things or are they specially made?
2.  What's the ballpark figure of replacing these giants?

Thanks!

JD

http://www.gratevents.com/eggcratestyle.html
http://www.grillworksinc.com/index.php

These and several others offer "custom" sizes. I expect they are pricey.
I've seen them occasionally in resale/antique settings.
Have you considered http://salvageone.com/home.php?

[jfrickind]

Perfect. Thanks watcher.

I've been to Salvage One a couple of times but have never purchased anything - just oohed and ahhed over some of the wacky stuff they have in there.  And the wacky prices.

Thanks again.

[MRS. NORTHSIDER]

We have 3 larger ones in our house (the foyer, living room and dining room) which are all metal.  They look exactly like the wood ones from the websites Watcher mentioned.  They were here when we moved in.  Our house was built in 1908.  I'm not sure whether they're more economical or if you would want to go with them.

[berwyn senator]

I imagine their Oak? or whatever, I would locate a good wood shop,take them over for a estimate.If our handy have the pieces made and put them together, seal and stain them.I had one made a while back and everything worked fine,the shop is now closed. There is a shop in Elkhorn Wisconsin, very reasonable,they can duplicate anything,if interested I'll try and help,their work is excellent.

[jfrickind]

We have 3 larger ones in our house (the foyer, living room and dining room) which are all metal.  They look exactly like the wood ones from the websites Watcher mentioned. 

I think we would like to go with metal ones if we have the option and can find them.  I just didn't know the name ("eggcrate") and it's so much easier to google something when you know the name of it.

Berwyn Senator: I'm more of a, "pay someone else to do it" guy.  It's not that I can't do it.  But I figure there are professionals that CAN do it much, much better than I can.  With that said, the Elkhorn shop info would be good, if possible.

JD

[watcher]

We have 3 larger ones in our house (the foyer, living room and dining room) which are all metal.  They look exactly like the wood ones from the websites Watcher mentioned. 

I think we would like to go with metal ones if we have the option and can find them.  I just didn't know the name ("eggcrate") and it's so much easier to google something when you know the name of it.

Berwyn Senator: I'm more of a, "pay someone else to do it" guy.  It's not that I can't do it.  But I figure there are professionals that CAN do it much, much better than I can.  With that said, the Elkhorn shop info would be good, if possible.

JD

Sounds like you are looking for metal grating. Here's one way to go. http://www.americanstair.com/grating1.asp
There are tons of industrial platform materials that could be adapted to cover the holes in your floors, from meshes to slat steel.

From there, if you looking for a less "industrial" look, there are design/build shops that can fabricate just about anything a computer can generate.

If you'd like something with a cast look, I'd suggest you check out the names associated with landscape gratings for drainage and tree surrounds. Also fireplace and firepit specialists...

The limits of what you can do are endless and would range from inexpensive to OH MY GOD! money.

Hint: Google Images
http://greenscapesonline.com/index.php/garden-gift-shop/#

[berwyn senator]

jfrickind:I do not blame you at all,I am the same way.My door between the kitchen and dinning room was missing when I moved in,later found in the rafters of the garage.A solid Oak door,missing was the spring closer from the bottom and other parts, it took me almost a year to locate one at a lock shop.What I had to do is help the owner look through boxes of junk in the basement of his store,found a brand new one in the box $10.00 had it installed for $35.00.Even looking was a real trip.Good luck!!