Filter Grille Air Returns

A hinged air return has a door that swings open — secured by screws, a latch, or magnet — so you can change your air filter without removing the grille from the wall. A standard grille return is fixed in place; to access the filter behind it, you need to unscrew and remove the grille. Both function identically in terms of airflow, but the hinged version significantly simplifies filter changes.

Hinged air returns are ordered by your filter size, not your duct size. If you use a 20" x 20" filter, order a 20" x 20" hinged air return. Check your existing filter for its labeled dimensions, or measure the filter itself.

Fixed grille returns are ordered by the duct opening size, the same way as registers. Remove your existing grille, measure the width and length of the duct opening, and order by those dimensions.

This varies by home. In many homes, the filter is located at the air handler (furnace or air conditioning unit) and the return grille is simply a fixed cover. In other homes, the filter slots into the return grille itself, making a hinged return the more convenient choice. To find out, check the air handler first. If there is no filter there, look at your return grille — if it has a slot behind the face, the filter goes there.

If you have a hinged air return, yes — the door opens outward so you can slide the filter in and out without any tools. This is the main advantage of a hinged return over a fixed grille. If you have a fixed grille return, you will need to unscrew and remove the cover each time. Upgrading to a hinged return is straightforward if your duct size matches an available size.

Yes. Both hinged and fixed air returns are available in steel and aluminum in our standard powder coat finishes. Wood air return grilles are also available for floor and wall applications where you want a consistent look with your wood floor registers. Custom options are available for specific finishes or sizes.