Table of Contents
Do you lose heat with radiator covers?
Yes. The good news is that well-designed radiator covers leave plenty of space for the warm air to travel through. A radiator cover could actually even improve your heat efficiency if the cover includes a reflective foil backing, which we mentioned earlier.
Is MDF good for radiator cover?
Engineered wood: MDF (medium density fiberboard) is good for a painted radiator cover. This material is sturdy like hardwoods but cheaper.
Can I put wood on my radiator?
A top of a radiator can be the perfect place for a shelf. When a piece of wood or stone is placed on top, a bulky radiator becomes a handy side table or bookshelf. Such a shelf can be placed right on top of the radiator and attached to it using some brackets or other supplies.
How much clearance do you need for a radiator cover?
The idea is to make the cover large enough to easily slide over the radiator. For example, a radiator that is 10 inches (25cm) deep, 20 inches (50cm) tall, and 30 inches (76cm) wide, you might need 12 inches (30cm) clearance in depth, 22 inches (55cm) clearance in height, and 32 inches (81cm) clearance in width.
Why do they put radiators under windows?
Windows are traditionally the worst insulated surfaces in a building shell. In the twentieth century, to combat that cold feeling and keep the room comfortably warm, radiators were always placed under a window. The rising heat of the radiator forms a kind of hot air curtain that shields you from the cold air.
Is it worth putting foil behind radiators?
Silver foil placed down the back of a radiator will reflect heat back into a room rather than letting it uselessly escape through the walls of a house. However, the Energy Saving Trust says that foil behind radiators is not worth doing if you already have cavity wall insulation.
How do I measure for a radiator cover?
Measure the widest length of your radiator, including the valves at either side. Add 50mm to your measurement to allow for the 20mm fixing return on DeepClean radiator covers. The total dimension will form the required length measurement for your radiator covers.
Are wood radiator covers safe?
Wood, you see, is a terrible material for a radiator cover’s efficiency because it absorbs so much and doesn’t conduct heat very well. There was a time back when I was a lad when building an MDF radiator cover was the done thing, but come on people, there is plenty of good science behind it and wood is a bad choice.
What is the best material for radiator cover?
Common materials are wood and metal, but sometimes soft materials such as a cane, fabric, and string are used. Some DIY radiator builders recommend using medium-density fiberboard (MDF) as this dense, synthetic wood composite will be more stable when subjected to the radiator’s heat spikes.
Can you use plywood for a radiator cover?
You will need to use a strong wood material that can withstand the high heat output from the radiator, such as 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood with a birch veneer. The birch veneer will allow you to easily sand and paint (or stain) the unit.
What wood should I use for a radiator cover?
WHICH WOOD SHOULD I USE FOR A RADIATOR COVER? For a radiator cover to cope well under heat, it is recommended that you use MDF. It loves to keep dry and it hates moisture.
Is it OK to hang pictures above a radiator?
Avoid “hot spots” – pictures should not be hung above radiators or any other places in the house where temperature will fluctuate from hot to cold. Changes in temperature can cause paper and wood to dry out and adhesives to fail. Avoid hanging pictures in direct sunlight.
Can you put glass on top of a radiator?
Glass Accents A basic radiator cover can be taken to the next level with a sleek glass top. A tempered glass insert can also help protect your radiator from water damage if you plan on keeping potted plants on top of the shelf during months when you’re not heating your home.
Is it a good idea to put a shelf above a radiator?
A radiator shelf (yes, a shelf) A radiator shelf just above a radiator helps to throw heat forward from the radiator into the room, rather than letting it rise up to the ceiling.
How much bigger should a radiator cover be?
For your radiator to stay efficient, enough space between the radiator and cover needs to exist. The radiator cover should, if possible, be wider than the radiator by at least: 5cm in width. 3cm in height.
Do radiator covers need to be fixed to the wall?
It is not mandatory to have the cover attached to the wall, whereas most of the cabinets can be left free standing. Nonetheless, for safety and stability reasons, it is advised to fix the cover against the wall using the provided wall fixing pallets.
What height are radiator covers?
Standard covers are 88cm high, double check that this is the right height for you, otherwise contact us to get a bespoke quotation.
Why are radiators white?
Whereas black surfaces absorb heat energy and light, white surfaces reflect them in contrast. Therefore, to project as much heat as possible out of radiators, moving the heat effectively from the inside to the outside, you would opt to paint them white.
Does putting a sofa in front of radiator?
Keep your radiators clear. For example, do not put a large sofa in front of the radiator as it will absorb a lot of the heat. This will help stop heat escaping through the windows. Remove all draughts around the house to help stop the heat from escaping.
