Vent covers may seem like a small architectural detail, yet their story is far older — and far richer — than most people realise.
It is a journey through engineering, ornament and craftsmanship spanning thousands of years.

Ancient Rome – The First Vent Covers

The Roman hypocaust was the world’s first form of central heating.
Hot air travelled beneath floors and up through wall openings, each covered with stone or terracotta plates.
These early “vent covers” controlled airflow, balanced temperature and made indoor life far more comfortable.
Their precision shows just how advanced Roman building design truly was.

The Middle Ages – Airflow Through Stone

When hypocausts disappeared, castles and cathedrals turned to narrow wall slits for ventilation.
Not quite grilles yet, but many were carved with geometric or floral details.
Even then, builders understood that airflow could serve a practical purpose while adding beauty to the structure.

The Renaissance – When Function Became Art

Architects began hiding ventilation channels in cornices and plasterwork.
Cast-iron and wooden grilles appeared in grand interiors, designed with symmetry and ornament in mind.
This is the moment ventilation first became a designed element, not just a technical necessity.

The Industrial Revolution – The Age of Cast Iron

In the 18th and 19th centuries, cast-iron production exploded.
Victorian homes across Britain featured decorative grilles with rosettes, scrolls and elegant patterns.
Even the smallest vent contributed to the overall character of the room.
Many of these motifs still inspire modern makers today.

The 20th Century – Simplicity Takes Over

Modernism shifted the focus to clean lines and pure function.
Steel and aluminium became the standard.
Durable, practical — but often missing the charm of earlier craftsmanship.
This quiet dissatisfaction set the stage for something new.

The Revival of Plaster

Plaster, one of humanity’s oldest building materials, returned with confidence.
It has depth, texture and honesty.
It captures fine detail better than metal and blends naturally with the wall.
Plaster doesn’t try to imitate anything — it simply is.

Today – Tradition Meets Modern Design

Modern plaster vent covers bring all these eras together:
Roman practicality,
medieval carving,
renaissance ornament,
Victorian artistry,
and contemporary minimalism.

Designers like Zeppel reinterpret these influences into clean, elegant, handcrafted forms.
From geometric patterns to Art Nouveau sweeps, industrial lines, or even motifs like the Union Jack — each piece is both functional and artistic.

A Detail With Two Thousand Years of History

From clay plates in Roman bathhouses to refined plaster reliefs in modern interiors, vent covers have always had one purpose:
to let interiors breathe — beautifully.

A plaster vent cover is more than a component.
It’s a quiet echo of centuries, where craft and airflow have always shared the same space.