One of the essential accessories to be considered for the exhaust fans are the vent covers. These help protect the fan from dust and other elements as well as improve the aesthetic looks. These are made for both register vents and return air vents. As there are more than a few types of vents and therefore some different types of vent covers. Depending on the requirement, these covers can be made of wood or metal and are designed to simply cover a vent, giving it a finished look rather than leaving a hole in the wall, floor, or ceiling.

When selecting vent covers, it is important to pay attention to the types of vents you have. Vent covers for floor registers fit the opening and simply stay in the hole, usually with no means of attachment as gravity holds them in position. On the other hand, a vent cover for a wall or ceiling vent will be designed to permanently attach to the wall or ceiling so it won't fall out.

Most of the popular vent covers, come with a filter built in. This can help reduce allergens in the circulating air, but a high-efficiency furnace with the proper filter should adequately do the job. When evaluating for new vent covers, determine the width and height of the vent opening, measuring up to the nearest whole inch. Most of the manufacturers offer extra space around the cover, and many sizes are standard. If you have an odd-shaped or very old vent, you can custom order vent covers from a variety of manufacturers including your local home improvement store.