Help me cover my radiator
April 27, 2012 2:56 PM Subscribe
Where can I find/how can I put together a safe and economical radiator cover in NYC?
I am redecorating and looking for a cover for a large radiator in my apartment. I'm not currently at home but I'd guess it measures about 18" high by 36" long. Can provide specific measurements later if it's helpful. I want to be able to put stuff on top of it and to not burn myself on it when I forget that it's on in the winter.
My priorities, in order, are:
- Fire safety (let's say no paper-mache construction)
- Cost (would really like to spend less than $100, which might be the sticking point here)
- Aesthetics (would prefer it isn't ugly as sin, but I am pretty flexible here)
Suggestions? Ideally I would be able to buy this somewhere but can get down with novice-level DIY solutions. Also, I have seen suggestions for wood covers, is this safe? I'm no expert but I always thought of wood as something that, y'know, burns.
I am redecorating and looking for a cover for a large radiator in my apartment. I'm not currently at home but I'd guess it measures about 18" high by 36" long. Can provide specific measurements later if it's helpful. I want to be able to put stuff on top of it and to not burn myself on it when I forget that it's on in the winter.
My priorities, in order, are:
- Fire safety (let's say no paper-mache construction)
- Cost (would really like to spend less than $100, which might be the sticking point here)
- Aesthetics (would prefer it isn't ugly as sin, but I am pretty flexible here)
Suggestions? Ideally I would be able to buy this somewhere but can get down with novice-level DIY solutions. Also, I have seen suggestions for wood covers, is this safe? I'm no expert but I always thought of wood as something that, y'know, burns.
What kind of radiator is it?
If it's hot water, you're not going to burn any wood. The boiling point of water is nowhere near hot enough to burn wood. Leaving a gap between the rad and the wood is plenty of precaution.
Mostly you want the radiator to still do its job, i.e., heat the room. Don't just box it in; make sure the cover is well ventilated.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:10 PM on April 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
If it's hot water, you're not going to burn any wood. The boiling point of water is nowhere near hot enough to burn wood. Leaving a gap between the rad and the wood is plenty of precaution.
Mostly you want the radiator to still do its job, i.e., heat the room. Don't just box it in; make sure the cover is well ventilated.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:10 PM on April 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
Why not check around for an architectural salvage place that reclaims them? Probably not a HUGE market for them, hence cheap, shot of spray paint, and it would be clean enough to heat off of.
posted by timsteil at 3:18 PM on April 27, 2012
posted by timsteil at 3:18 PM on April 27, 2012
I have metal ones for my steam radiators, which I believe run hotter than hot water. Sys Rq is right that they will heat the room less if they're boxed in. As for fires . . . whenever I mention that I have radiators, someone mentions drying their clothes on them back in the day. I've had ill-placed stuffed animals get melty-scorch marks from the access pipes going from floor to floor, but nothing from the radiator themselves -- the walls are pretty thick.
If the top of the radiator is flat, I've seen people lay a board on top and that struck me as a perfect solution: a surface for books or whatever, still plenty of room to let the heat get round.
posted by MeiraV at 4:46 PM on April 27, 2012
If the top of the radiator is flat, I've seen people lay a board on top and that struck me as a perfect solution: a surface for books or whatever, still plenty of room to let the heat get round.
posted by MeiraV at 4:46 PM on April 27, 2012
Best answer: I'm pretty sure Old House Journal had an article on this very subject not too long ago. I can't find it, but I did find this step-by-step guide to building your own.
posted by scratch at 4:47 PM on April 27, 2012
posted by scratch at 4:47 PM on April 27, 2012
Biggest thing when looking at radiator covers: make sure the side between the rad and the wall is bare aluminum. Reflect the heat from the wall, so you don't just heat up the wall that's being chilled by outside air.
My parents always had cabinet makers make up covers when they remodeled.
posted by notsnot at 6:41 PM on April 27, 2012
My parents always had cabinet makers make up covers when they remodeled.
posted by notsnot at 6:41 PM on April 27, 2012
Seconding to just put a board on top of it. You can get an unfinished wood shelf board with pretty edges at your local Lowes or whatever and stain it any color you like, if you want to get fancy.
posted by desuetude at 8:01 PM on April 27, 2012
posted by desuetude at 8:01 PM on April 27, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks, all. I might try my hand at scratch's DIY option and otherwise go with the low-tech "wood plank" option.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 2:14 PM on April 28, 2012
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 2:14 PM on April 28, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
You can get them made (I used to live by Gothic Cabinets, and they'll build to suit).
And here's a place in Queens with prices starting at $75.
$100 seems low to me (don't know what they're selling for $75!), but good luck.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:06 PM on April 27, 2012