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Does anyone know of a source for foundation vents that don’t look like foundation vents? Code requires them, but all the common types available around here look cheap, and stick out like a sore thumb on the small kitchen addition we’re putting on this large 19th century house. First reaction is to hide ’em with landscaping, but if an ornate cast iron or cast aluminum model were available, it would be preferable. Thanks for the help- I wanted to search the archives, but they still don’t work.
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Go to a scrap yard and hunt out the cast iron adjustable grills/vents for wood burning stoves or furnaces/boilers. Then cast them in or mortar them in if after the fact.
Gabe
*Thanks, Gabe. Going with used grates was actually my first thought, but so far I haven't been able to find more than two that even remotely match. I'm still looking, but was hoping for an easier solution.
*Chris, if you haven't already, check out eBay. Iron grates show up there all the time.Andy
*ChrisI just got a catalog from Rejuventation. http://www.rejuvenation.com1-888-401-1900They have some cast iron grilles. And the prices are reasonable, $10-$33 depending on size. They are designed for use as registers, but you can get them without the louvers.
*If you're in a heating/cooling climate, one other option is to put in the cheap ones Once you're c.o.'d take them out and patch the hole. It doesn't make sense to use anything that lets warm air into a cool space (summer) or cold air into a warm space (winter). Make sure you have a good vapor barrier on the ground, and insulate the floor. 'Least that's what I'd do.Mike
*Mike-Your suggestion is tempting. This is, after all, a fairly minor detail on a big project. I asked myself why I need these vents at all- other than to make an inspector who doesn't even get out of his car happy. Just as I was about to turn to the dark side of the force, a friend doing some demo found what he says are some nice looking cast iron grates that will fit my openings. Decision deferred until they are seen.
*They're supposed to be ugly so you won't forget about them and can constantly be wondering "do I need them, or not?"
*FWIW, in my area, NW Ohio, conditioned crawlspaces perform much better than vented: ionsulate the walls, cover the vents, open a register or 2 in the crawl
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Does anyone know of a source for foundation vents that don't look like foundation vents? Code requires them, but all the common types available around here look cheap, and stick out like a sore thumb on the small kitchen addition we're putting on this large 19th century house. First reaction is to hide 'em with landscaping, but if an ornate cast iron or cast aluminum model were available, it would be preferable. Thanks for the help- I wanted to search the archives, but they still don't work.