ArcaMax

An old metal A/C furnace grille in a wall can be an eyesore in an otherwise attractive room, and it looks even worse if, over the years, the fins of the vent have become dented or dinged. You can find metal replacements at most home centers, but you can take it up a notch with a wood grille to give the room a custom finish.

We found the grilles in a wide range of common sizes online at www.worthhp.com, where the site features installation directions and videos. The grilles come primed and ready to paint the color of your wall, or stainable to match wood paneling or wainscoting. Either way, you’ll make an almost instant improvement.

The grille is composed of two parts, a wooden grille and metal frame that holds the grille and a 1-inch filter securely in the wall. The design makes it easy to replace the filter and access ducts for cleaning.

A handyman will charge $145, which includes the grille and the labor, to install a 12-inch-by-12-inch primed-for-painting grille. You can buy the grille for $95, install it yourself and save 34%.

Pro Cost: $145 — DIY Cost: $95 — Pro time: 1.0
DIY Time: 1.5 — DIY Savings: $50 — Percent Saved: 34%

========

To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2024 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.