Floor registers are expensive... any hacks?

[Home Stretch]

The first floor of my home has 14 (4"x10") floor registers, and they are all in desperate need of replacement.

Cheapest replacements I've been able to find online that aren't really cheap/sketchy are about $10/unit, so we're looking at ~$150 just to replace some floor vents.

Is this a good enough deal that I should just stop complaining and buy them? Does anyone else know where I could get a good bulk deal on a 15-pack of these?

[geekette]

These on Amazon at 6 for $38 and change look a lot like what I got a our local Lowes in a bulk pack.  Home Depot has some for $6.30 each, which would end up being $100, unless they offer a bulk discount.

They're just brown metal, which you may consider cheap/sketchy.  If you want something pretty, you're going to pay a lot more!

[Wrenchturner]

If the existing ones are steel you could repaint them.

[Dee18]

I repainted my floor registers and they turned out great.  It's been a few years so I cannot recall the brand of spray paint I used, but it had a metallic finish.  I sanded a few spots and then spray painted them two coats.  Cheap and easy!

[Goldielocks]

The plastic ones are cheap and ok to use in low traffic areas / under furniture.   I find you need the steel ones anywhere someone may step on them.

[Home Stretch]

I've actually already repainted the current ones. The issue is the inside metal/plastic bits have all broken and I can't open/close the vents easily anymore.

Also, half of them are oak to match the floors, but I hate the look (and they're also all broken).

@geekette, I saw the Amazon and HD ones already, but BLECH those are ugly. I'd rather keep our janky ones than replace them with bottom-end ones.

Anyway, sounds like I've answered my own question to some extent: I need to pay at least $10 per register to get something decent. Thanks for the replies!

[Sibley]

I am also replacing my register covers, room by room as I paint. Be grateful that yours are a standard size - the one I had to have custom made cost over $100. Old houses with retrofitted hvac is interesting. Need to order 2 for the room I'm currently working on, I think they're standard-ish.

I just get them at lowes, menards or home depot. I prefer the steel. They may cost a bit more, but I expect them to last much longer than other materials. Considering the age of the ones I'm replacing, I expect these to last a very long time. However, mine are all in the wall somewhere, not in the floor. It helps.

[lthenderson]

I've bought cheap metal ones before and a rattle can of enamel paint in color of choice and painted the brand new register to get the color I was after. If you aren't particular on matching a style throughout the house, the local rehab store (at least in my area) has boxes of used registers to sort through. I think the last time I was in there they wanted a couple bucks for each 4 x 10 and a buck for a 2 x 12.

[Papa bear]

Have a contractor or HVAC guy you know or trust? The best prices are with their suppliers.  I’ve had my guy call in orders for me, but for cash sale at the counter.   You can’t buy from them unless you’re an HVAC contractor at this one place, but damn good prices!


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[Wrenchturner]

Have a contractor or HVAC guy you know or trust? The best prices are with their suppliers.  I’ve had my guy call in orders for me, but for cash sale at the counter.   You can’t buy from them unless you’re an HVAC contractor at this one place, but damn good prices!


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This is a good idea, and a lot of industrial supply places will actually take purchases from regular joes.

[Fishindude]

Sheesh !
Why the big gripe about having to spend $140 on the HVAC system that heats and cools your entire house?
Live a little, spend the money !

[Home Stretch]

@Fishindude - my original post reads "Is this a good enough deal that I should just stop complaining and buy them?"

So... you could have just wrote "Yes". I don't think I was griping too badly, but I admit that I am kind of burned out on home improvement costs since we've spent about $20k in the past 12 months on various things, and we both left our jobs last year.