Period Homes Magazine | Previous Product Reports

Architectural grilles & registers have a very practical purpose: To permit the passage of heated or cooled air into an interior space. (Technically, a grille is merely a plate with holes in it, while a register contains operable vanes that permit you to regulate the amount of air flow.) In the Victorian era, however, these practical devices took on a decidedly ornamental appearance -- to such an extent that ornamental registers & grilles are frequently added to restorations today for pure decoration.

To meet the growing demand for period-style registers and grilles, suppliers are now offering a wide range of options: (1) For cast-metal Victorian-style registers, companies like Reggio Register provide a wide range of models that are authentic reproductions of antique originals. (2) Another species is the flat-plate metal architectural grille; using water-jet cutting, some of the suppliers listed below offer a range of standard decorative patterns as well as providing custom-cutting of any ornamental pattern the client desires. (3) Yet another type of architectural grille is produced from forged steel; several fabricators listed below are skilled in this type of element. (4) For wood floors, some clients prefer a wood vent the installs flush with the rest of the floor, rather than standing out as an ornamental element like a cast-metal register. (5) We've also included in this listing several suppliers of period-style perforated-metal radiator covers.

A-Ball Plumbing Supply
Portland, OR
800-228-0134; Fax: 503-228-0030
http://www.a-ball.com
Mail-order supplier of period-style registers, bathroom fixtures & accessories: porcelain-resurfacing kits, showers, corner & pedestal sinks, kitchen faucets, high- & low-tank toilets, clawfoot tubs, shower curtains & more.

All American Wood Register Co.
Wonder Lake, IL
815-728-8888; Fax: 815-728-9663
http://www.allamericanwood.com
Manufacturer of solid-wood one-piece registers, grilles & baseboards: standard & custom sizes; cast brass, wood & copper; stair treads, risers & moldings.

Architectural Grille
Brooklyn, NY
800-387-6267; 71; Fax: 718-832-1390
http://www.archgrille.com
Supplier of grilles: custom perforated & linear bar; aluminum, brass, bronze, stainless steel & steel; variety of finishes; stock sizes; water-jet & laser cutting.

Arsco Mfg. Co.
Cincinnati, OH
800-543-7040; 513-385-0555; Fax: 513-741-6292
http://www.arscomfg.com
Manufacturer of metal radiator covers & enclosures for steam & hot-water heating systems: grilles; new & replacement covers for baseboards, fin-tube, convectors, pipes & fan-coil units.

Barker Metalcraft, Inc.
Chicago, IL
800-397-0129; 773-248-1115; Fax: 773-929-2281
http://www.radiatorcover.com
Manufacturer of grilles, registers & radiator covers in stamped & perforated metal: flat grilles with or without borders & wall & heavy-duty decorative floor grilles; 10 designs; several color choices; brass, copper or chrome plating.

ClassicAire Woodvents, Inc.
Wilsonville, OR
800-545-8368; 503-855-2000; Fax: 503-855-2029
http://www.classicvents.com
Manufacturer of registers, grilles & baseboards in solid wood: custom designs; complete selection of wood species & pre-finished colors; standard or custom sizes.

Reggio Register Co., Inc.
Ayer, MA
800-880-3090; 978-772-3493; Fax: 978-772-5513
http://www.reggioregister.com
Manufacturer of decorative & functional registers & grilles: cast iron, brass, aluminum & solid wood; for forced-air-heating, air-conditioning & high-velocity systems; more than 500 styles & sizes; many adapted from traditional Victorian designs.

Schwartz's Forge & Metalworks, Inc.
Deansboro, NY
315-841-4477; Fax: 315-841-4694
http://www.schwartzsforge.com
Custom fabricator of architectural metalwork for 27 years: Grilles; straight, spiral & curved stairs; railings, balusters, balustrades, newel posts & more; ornamental gates & fencing; grilles & fountains; forged bronze, Monel, steel & stainless steel; restoration services.

Steven Handelman Studios
Santa Barbara, CA
805-962-5119; Fax: 805-966-9529
http://www.stevenhandelmanstudios.com
Manufacturer of hand-forged ornament, registers & grilles in wrought iron & steel; lighting & fire screens in iron: more than 250 choices of UL-certified lighting; incandescent, low voltage, HID & gas lamps; street lighting; Early California & European styles; gates, 50 styles of wrought-iron fire screens built in with doors or freestanding; stock & custom.

The Hamilton Decorative Collection, Inc.
New York, NY
800-900-3326; 212-760-3377; Fax: 212-760-3362
http://www.hamiltondeco.com
Manufacturer of solid-bronze & brass hardware: floor & wall registers in many regular & custom sizes; door & bath hardware, mail slots, numerals, pulls, knobs, switch plates & more; many finishes.

Urban Registers
Los Alamitos, CA
800-669-6998; 562-795-0069; Fax: 562-795-6674
http://www.urbanregisters.com
Supplier of decorative, old-style, solid-cast aluminum & HVAC registers & grilles.

Wooden Radiator Cabinet Co.
Chicago, IL
800-817-9110; 773-281-1088; Fax: 773-281-1089
http://www.woodenradiatorcabinet.com
Manufacturer & distributor of wood radiator cabinets & baseboard covers: Prairie & Shaker styles; hand crafted.

Each issue of Period Homes magazine contains 18 or more such illustrated Buying Guides in product and service areas suitable for restoration, renovation and the construction of new homes in period styles. To subscribe to Period Homes, sign up on our subscription page.

Click here for Previous Product Reports