Excellent interior design can be seriously compromised by the appearance of radiators. After all, most of them are not at all aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, apartment owners often have a question: how to cover it. There are many methods of camouflage. But before choosing one of them, you should carefully analyze how feasible such a decision is. After all, any errors in the installation of the structure can seriously reduce heat transfer.
Decor for radiators
Before you start going over best options To close, consider the alternative proposals presented by the designers:
- Using curtains. An ordinary curtain made of cotton fabric will cover the radiator perfectly. But this method can only be used if the battery is located in a niche. Blinds can be an excellent alternative to curtains.
- Painting. A radiator can become a real highlight of the interior. Of course, the painting method can only be used for modern aluminum products. Old cast iron ones, even if painted, will stand out against the general background. You can design the radiators in one color scheme that matches the overall tone of the design. The drawings look great. If you don't have artistic talent, it doesn't matter. You can always use stencils.
- Decoupage. This method will not require you to make major investments. All you need is PVA glue plus beautiful napkins. After cutting out the original elements from the selected material, cover the surface of the radiator. A special one is applied on top of the decor in several layers.
If decorating radiators is not possible, then consider how to cover radiators. The photos posted in the article will allow you to get acquainted with some of the options offered by specialists.
Important Terms
When thinking about how to cover radiators, you need to consider several points:
- The air flow should circulate freely. This will ensure uniform heating of the room and protect windows from fogging.
- All adjustment parts must remain accessible for sudden repair work. To do this, you can create a removable structure or provide windows at the threaded connections.
Hinged screen
This is the simplest method. When planning how to close the radiator in a room, you can experiment with a hanging screen or use a regular grille. Such structures are most often made of metal.
This battery masking tool has a number of advantages:
- A hanging screen or grille does not interfere with heat transfer at all. Air currents can circulate freely.
- The design is easy to install. The screen just needs to be hung on the battery.
- The grilles are completely safe, because their corners are usually rounded.
But, unfortunately, the hanging screen is not without its drawbacks. The most important disadvantage of such camouflage is the lack of aesthetics. In other words, appearance the screen is far from the concept of “beauty”. To remedy the situation, you can paint and paint the structure.
Glass screens
This is an excellent solution for those owners who are interested in how to beautifully close radiators. Fireproof thick glass will become original version for a modern interior. Such a screen is often decorated with stained glass patterns or photo printing.
Installing the structure is completely easy. It is secured using special screw holders that provide elastic gaskets to protect the glass surface. To fix the screen, it is enough to make just a couple of holes in the wall.
Glass screens can be purchased at design workshops. But the disadvantage of such camouflage is the high cost of the material.
Wooden frame
How to cover radiators? Wooden frames look great. They can become a harmonious addition to any interior. They will fit especially organically into a room furnished wooden furniture. The ideal solution would be a frame that matches the headset in texture, shape and color. In this case, it will be one piece with all the furniture.
Masking a battery out of wood has a significant advantage. Such a frame, depending on the design, can become an excellent rack, shelf, table, or stand for various utensils. If it is small in size, it can be equipped with an additional seat, such as a bench. In addition, using all your imagination, you can create a completely unique frame for the radiator.
However wooden structures are not without their downsides. Exposure to high temperatures can have a detrimental effect on the shape of the frame. Wood can become deformed.
Built-in furniture
This is very original solution. Heating radiators can be disguised with furniture. A chest of drawers or a small closet would look great. Such furniture is often made to order. But if you have at least basic woodworking skills, you can easily complete this design yourself.
In this case, you can use any other material. It can be plasterboard, MDF, laminate, chipboard or plywood.
Many owners are happy to use plastic to make the frame. It's simple cheap material, which can fit perfectly into the interior. But when planning plastic structures, it is necessary to take into account the following disadvantage of the material. When heated, some species are capable of releasing quite toxic fumes into the air.
How to cover radiators and pipes with plasterboard
But the most popular coating remains plasterboard. Installation of such material is simple and not labor-intensive. Drywall is affordable and does not cause any special problems in purchasing. But at the same time, it opens up wide opportunities for implementing the most daring design solutions.
So, let's look at how to cover a heating radiator with plasterboard. Designers offer some great ideas:
- Continuation of the window sill or false wall. But remember that for free air circulation it is necessary to provide several small windows. When choosing drywall for such purposes, be sure to choose a heat-resistant material. It should be noted that most varieties can withstand fairly high temperatures. The design is completely easy to complete. Initially, it is necessary to install metal guides. The drywall itself is attached to them. Be sure to provide windows into which original grilles are inserted.
- Making a fireplace. The appearance of the room will greatly benefit from such a piece of furniture. A false fireplace will fill the room with an extraordinary homely atmosphere and give it coziness. Moreover, the design can be made in any style.
Conclusion
When you are faced with the acute question of what to do with standard heating radiators and disguise boring batteries, be sure to analyze several solutions. Consider what options designers offer. And only then choose the method you like best. Your batteries may benefit greatly from original painting? Or, by creating a frame made of plasterboard, you can create a wonderful shelf for your favorite trinkets.
Heating radiators cannot always serve as interior decoration. Therefore, they have to be hidden, decorated with all possible ways. Let's try to figure out how to do this beautifully and correctly.
Features and Requirements
Decorating heating radiators is not like that simple task, as it might seem at first glance. It is necessary not only to hide the unsightly radiator, but also to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room. Obviously, closed batteries provide much less heat, and access to them becomes difficult.
In order to properly close the radiators and not reduce heat transfer (or at least reduce it slightly), you need to understand how radiators heat the room and on what principle they work. And choose the decor so that it represents minimal interference when the batteries perform their functions.
Removable or attached screens that do not have solid fastenings are well suited for this. This is necessary so that the radiator can be accessed at any time. Such a need may arise unexpectedly, and if the battery is mounted into a wall, a plasterboard box, or covered with a screen “tightly” attached to the wall, the structure will have to be broken. It will not be possible to dismantle it without damage.
Another important criterion when choosing decor is how much it will affect heat transfer. Heating of the room occurs due to the release of infrared radiation (it heats objects) and convection (it directly heats the air).
Solid screens, devoid of gaps at the bottom and top, will become a serious obstacle for both the first and the second. The best option There will be perforated, carved or lamella screens that do not cover the battery either from above or from below. Or closing slightly.
In order for the air to warm up evenly, it must be able to freely enter from the bottom of the battery, pass through it and exit from the top already warm. A tightly “sealed” radiator does not give it this opportunity, which is why the temperature drops. As for IR radiation, it simply cannot pass through a solid, impenetrable screen, which provides almost one hundred percent thermal insulation of the battery.
Recently, you can see that batteries are often covered with glass screens with photo printing. Of course, such a solution has high decorative properties, however, the temperature in a room equipped with such decor drops significantly.
The optimal solution for any interior would be a wooden perforated or carved screen. The main thing is that it has as little continuous surface as possible and as many holes as possible to allow air to circulate freely. In addition to the fact that wood fits harmoniously into almost any interior style, it is also necessary to highlight its environmental friendliness. When heated, it will not release any harmful substances. On the contrary, when exposed to heat, wood releases essential oils, which have a positive effect on human health (of course, we are talking about natural wood).
Economical ways
To hide old heating batteries, it is not at all necessary to use expensive materials and designs. There are quite a few budget ways close unsightly radiators while maintaining high heat transfer rates and easy access to the system.
These methods include:
- Coloring. Even old, Soviet models of batteries can be turned into a stylish element of the interior by painting them to match the walls or, conversely, in a contrasting color. The costs are minimal, and the benefits are obvious: quick access to the radiator is maintained, convection is not hampered in any way, and the room maintains a comfortable temperature. Such radiators will fit into any interior, from modern loft to classic, the main thing is to choose the right color.
- Textile. The simplest thing is to cover the radiators with curtains that go down to the floor. The main thing is to ensure that there is no possibility of the fabric catching fire from too hot batteries. Or - if the option with curtains is not entirely acceptable - you can stretch a fabric over a wooden frame that matches the color of all the other textiles in the room, and cover the radiators with this screen. Air easily passes through the fabric; it does not present any obstacle to this, which means that heat transfer will not decrease.
- The use of materials such as plastic, MDF panels, and drywall will also be inexpensive. However, they also have a significant drawback - a decrease in heat in the room. And from the point of view of environmental friendliness, these materials leave much to be desired. The same plastic, for example, is best used in the bathroom to turn off the tap, in the kitchen, that is, in rooms with high humidity, where the same wood, the same metal will quickly become unusable due to external factors. Boxes made of MDF panels or plasterboard have good thermal insulation properties, which in this case is completely unnecessary. And it will be difficult to get to the system.
Of course, low cost is a significant advantage of the material, and for many it is decisive. However, we should not forget that its main function is to provide not only the aesthetic appeal of the heating system, but also warmth in the apartment. Therefore, you should not focus solely on price.
Wooden structures have a good combination of accessibility, aesthetics, environmental friendliness and the ability to transmit heat. A simple grille made of narrow strips, which are sold in any hardware store, can effectively hide radiators and will not interfere with their normal operation. In addition, such a solution will look natural in any interior. It is not for nothing that wood has been used since ancient times to decorate houses. Its unique natural aesthetics, the warmth and comfort that it brings to the home are still appreciated and in demand.
If, as a background for carved wood panel choosing a metal sheet - copper or aluminum - this decision will bring double benefits. The tree will take over decorative function, and thanks to the metal, the temperature in the room will not only not drop due to closed battery, but may even increase.
Popular solutions
Currently, there are many ways to hide old cast iron radiators under the window. Screens from a wide variety of different materials, niches, painting, wall mounting – options for every taste. But if decorating heating radiators in a living room, bedroom or nursery is quite simple - just choose a solution that will harmonize with the overall style of the interior - then in rooms with characteristic conditions (for example, in the kitchen, bathroom) this is more difficult to do.
For these rooms it is necessary to select a material that can withstand high humidity., and temperature changes, and possible exposure to steam and chemicals. And with all this it will be non-toxic. The best option would be to paint the radiators to match the walls or in a contrasting color. This method of decorating pipes is the most common in bathrooms.
As for the other rooms of the house, everything depends solely on the imagination and budget of the owners. But the basic requirements for radiator screens must be met in any case. After all, their main task is to hide unsightly heating elements without compromising heat transfer. Therefore, any screen must provide free air circulation and IR radiation. At least create minor obstacles to this.
The now popular glass screens, of course, are highly decorative, look great in the interior, but they significantly reduce heat transfer, which means they help lower the temperature in the room. This decor can be used if heating is carried out in some other way, for example, using heated floors.
Quite often you can find such a solution - radiators are mounted inside the wall, and a small window (or two) is left for the passage of heat, closed with bars. Not only does the temperature in the room drop significantly in this case, but also access to the system becomes almost impossible - to do this you will have to break the wall in the literal sense of the word.
The same applies to boxes made of plasterboard, plywood, MDF, chipboard and others. similar materials. Reduced heat transfer, difficult access to the system versus decorativeness. Everyone makes a choice for themselves.
Screens made of metal – copper or aluminum – are now gaining popularity. Such models not only will not lower, but may even increase the temperature in the room. Heated by the radiator, such screens themselves act as a battery and additionally heat the room.
If the room is covered with wallpaper, the heating elements can be decorated using leftovers. By cutting them into strips and gluing them onto radiators (with heat-resistant glue, of course), you can get a wonderful decorative element that will harmoniously fit into the interior at minimal cost.
In a children's room, you can generally give free rein to your imagination, or you can involve the inhabitants of the room in the process. Children will happily take on the task of decorating their own home and will tell you how they would like to decorate the radiators. Favorite cartoons, fairy tales, your own imagination, in which the room is not a room at all, but a ship, a tank or a racing car. All this can be used when decorating radiators.
To decorate old heating radiators, it is not necessary to spend a large amount of money, effort and time. You can simply paint them. Freshly painted batteries will look good in modern interior, such as, for example, a loft, both in a classic and in a soft pastel room. The main thing is to choose the right color.
The same loft is industrial style, and its color scheme is appropriate. The most commonly used is black or white. One of them can be used to color batteries. Elements painted in a contrasting color - black on white or white on a black background - will look especially impressive.
This is unlikely to be suitable for more prosaic, calm interiors - after all, it still emphasizes the heating system, highlights it, and does not hide it. In an industrial loft this is what you need. But, for example, in classic interior it would be inappropriate. Here it is better to paint the batteries to match the walls so that they blend into the background.
Heating radiators can be decorated with paintings. Such elements will look good in a nursery and will emphasize the dynamic, active, unusual atmosphere inherent in this room.
In the bathroom, you can put the pipes in a plastic box. It would be irrational to use wood or metal in this room - the materials will quickly become unusable, and the design will have to be changed. And plastic can easily withstand the high humidity of this room. However, plastic is not suitable for the kitchen; here it is better to give preference to traditional materials.
The decor of a heating system implies not only the camouflage of its elements, but also the possibility of easy and quick access to any of its components. This is one of the most important selection criteria that must be followed when choosing the design of radiators.
Another important factor is heat transfer. But here you can resort to a little trick. A foil foam insulator hung on the wall behind the radiator will reduce heat loss by twenty times.
But it must be attached to the wall, and not just put the battery. In this case, a distance of at least two to three centimeters should remain between it and the piece of insulator.
It is not advisable to cover the elements of the heating system with boxes, hide them in niches or mount them in walls. If another option is not possible, it is necessary to provide the box with a door to ensure the fastest and easiest access to the system at any time.
Modern industry produces heating radiators that are significantly different from Soviet models, which everyone is so eager to hide or change. These are not only strictly geometric white radiators. These can be models of almost any shape and size. Such batteries do not have to be hidden or covered; on the contrary, it is customary to put them on public display, hang them in the center of the wall and show them to guests as a bright, unusual accent.
Modern radiators are a spectacular decorative element that is attractive in itself. Even simple white models have their own aesthetics. They don't have to be hidden at all. They will perfectly cope with the role of discreet but stylish decorative elements that also perform a practical function - they heat the room.
Examples in the interior
To decorate or hide radiators in a room beautifully so that they are not a “fly in the ointment” and do not spoil the entire appearance of the room, not so difficult task. Modern materials allow us to solve this issue with minimal costs.
Vertical, horizontal, sectional, copper, cast iron – modern market offers a wide variety of radiators to suit every taste.
A bright battery will look good in a children's room, cheerful color, for example, yellow - it has a positive effect on nervous system and the emotional state of a person.
New models, unusual for the eyes - vertical radiators. They are located vertically on the wall and can occupy the entire height from floor to ceiling. This element looks quite stylish and does an excellent job of maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room.
There are several options to disguise a heating radiator and make its decoration an exclusive part of the interior. It is also known that heating radiators emit infrared rays, which are harmful to human health, and the lining of the radiators dissipates these radiations.
That's why decorative finishing Heating batteries not only complement the interior, but also protect our health.
For finishing heating radiators, the most various materials:
- dye;
- natural wood;
- MDF board;
- perforated stamped stainless steel sheets;
- textile;
- drywall;
- powder paint;
Finishing batteries with MDF board
Finishing with an MDF board with a laminate that imitates the structure of valuable tree species will enhance the stylish interior of your room. This finishing of heating radiators can also be used in offices, hotels, and country houses.
Advantages of finishing heating radiators with MDF board:
- This finish easily withstands temperature changes.
- It does not dry out or warp when humidity and temperature change.
- MDF board is quite strong and durable.
- The MDF board finish has a stylish and modern look.
- She has good performance qualities.
- No toxic resins are used in the manufacture of MDF boards; this material is environmentally friendly.
These characteristics of MDF material for finishing radiators were appreciated by numerous consumers.
Finishing radiators with natural wood
Finishing with natural wood is always beautiful and noble. This environmentally friendly material can provide a wide range of colors and structural patterns.
Wealthy clients most often order finishing of radiators together with mahogany furniture according to individual design solutions. Finishing heating radiators with wood has a beneficial effect on health.
After all, when heated, wood does not emit harmful fumes into the air. And there are tree species such as linden, Canadian cedar, oak, alder and others that, when heated, emit medicinal aromas that are beneficial to human health.
Decorating a heating radiator with wood can radically transform the interior of your room.
Cladding batteries with metal sheets
Heating radiator finishing metal sheets most often it is a box, which is subsequently painted in a certain color.
This battery finish has a fairly low cost.
Finishing the battery with stamped stainless steel sheets is much more expensive. This finish looks more beautiful and elegant when a perforated sheet of metal with an original pattern of holes is used.
Installing this finish is very simple. In some cases, the stainless steel box is simply put on the radiator.
Battery trim with fabric
An original solution is to cover the radiators with a fabric whose color and pattern harmonizes with the curtains in the window opening. This type of decoration looks very beautiful.
You can hang fabric on the radiator using various curtain rods.
You can also decorate the battery in an original way with a wooden frame, inside of which strips of fabric are woven. TO wooden frame The strip frames are secured with a furniture stapler.
This trim can simply be put on the battery.
Painting radiators
The coloring of the batteries should not only have protective properties, but also fit into the interior of the room.
To paint batteries, paints with the following characteristics are required:
- They must withstand high temperatures, not crack or change color.
- Paint for batteries must have high anti-corrosion properties.
- When heated, the paint should not emit toxic radiation and unpleasant odors.
The following paints have these properties:
- alkyd enamel;
- water-based paint;
- acrylic enamel;
All these paints tolerate high temperatures well, are non-toxic, do not emit unpleasant odors after drying, and have a fairly long service life.
Finishing radiator screens using thermography
In specialized stores you can find screens for radiators, which are decorated with various designs.
These screens are made from high-quality sheet metal, onto which a pattern is applied using thermography using powder paint. This results in a convenient and beautiful product.
Do-it-yourself plasterboard finishing of a heating radiator
Such a battery does not fit into the interior of the room; it must be closed. This is easy to do with your own hands, using drywall for this purpose.
Before starting work, you need to determine the amount of materials you will need. To do this, you need to measure the battery.
The hardware store will offer you drywall for various purposes and coloring. It is advisable to choose a wall moisture resistant drywall since during heating operation condensation may appear on the casing.
You can choose the color of the drywall to suit your taste.
To complete this job, you will need the following tools and materials:
- metal profile 27 and 60, or wooden beam 40 by 60 mm;
- fasteners;
- flat and Phillips screwdriver;
- electric drill with hammer drill function;
- fine-tooth hacksaw;
- metal scissors;
- glue “liquid nails”;
Let's start making the frame. It can be made from wooden beam or metal profile.
Attention: you must be very careful when marking lines for attaching guide bars or profiles. The slightest inaccuracy will lead to the entire cladding becoming warped. Therefore, we must check the installation of all profiles using a level.
We determine the distance from the wall to the farthest point of the battery and add 3 cm to it. This will be the gap between the cladding and the battery.
At this distance from the wall, strictly parallel, we fix the lower guide for the profile or a beam for a wooden frame using dowels. We attach the upper guide from a 27 by 28 profile or a wooden beam to the window sill.
There are three options for mounting this guide:
- If the battery protrudes beyond the window sill (see How to finish a window sill). In this case, the guide must be attached to the end of the window sill so that it is at the level of the battery plus 3 cm for the gap.
- If the window sill is flush with the radiator. In this case, the guide should be 3 cm thick and it should also be attached to the end of the window sill.
- In the case where the window sill is much wider than the battery, we attach the guide from below to the window sill at a distance of the point of the battery farthest from the wall plus 3 cm.
After this, we install vertical jumpers from a 60 by 27 profile or wooden beam.
Please note: the top and bottom guides must be in the same vertical plane.
At the ends of the battery, using dowels, we attach strictly vertical guides from profile 27 vertically to the wall. Then, from profile 60, we install vertical jumpers at a distance of 50 cm from each other.
Please note: the outermost vertical jumpers must be in the same plane as the vertical guides that are attached to the wall along the edges of the battery.
After this, we install horizontal jumpers. It will be enough to mount 2 horizontal jumpers - one near the window sill, and the second below.
The vertical jumpers must be connected to the guides, which are fixed to the wall, using L-shaped profiles. The frame is ready.
From a sheet of drywall exactly to the dimensions of your frame, we cut out all the details of closing the battery.
We make ventilation holes for good circulation of warm air. The holes can be made with an electric drill with a crown attachment.
Their diameter should not be made larger than 5 cm. Holes with a larger diameter will not look aesthetically pleasing.
After this, we install all the parts in their places and secure them with self-tapping screws. The screw heads must be sunk into the drywall to a depth of 1 mm.
Then, using putty, we process the joints and mask the screw heads. The finishing of the battery box can be done according to your taste - it can be painted white or to match the color of your interior, it can be covered with self-adhesive film, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of using plasterboard in finishing radiators:
- This is an environmentally friendly material that does not contain toxins.
- Drywall is absolutely fireproof.
- It is easy to handle and install.
- The cost of this material is relatively low.
The disadvantages include:
- Drywall is a fairly fragile material and can crumble during processing.
- He has low strength and is afraid of blows.
- After installation is completed, putty and finishing are required.
Why do you still need finishing of heating radiators:
- Various decorative finishes for heating radiators give the room a unique look.
- Protective panels on radiators protect against burns, especially in children's rooms.
- Screens installed on radiators scatter infrared radiation and thereby reduce their harmful effects on human health.
- A wide variety of finishing materials and design solutions will help you create an exclusive interior in your apartment.
How to close a heating pipe and is it even possible to do this? How to cover a heating radiator with plasterboard?
Will this affect the climate in the room? Or is it better to look for some other solutions?
Perhaps the designer will take charge. However, from the author’s point of view, the photo shows the best decorative screen for a radiator. There is no need to close the pipes at all.
Basic provisions
Let's immediately clarify one subtlety. The author is a former plumber with many years of experience. As a result, it is pointless to search in the article design solutions: We will consider first of all how a particular project will harm the normal operation or maintenance of heating equipment.
Nuance: against beautiful design There is not a single objection to the premises. When the house is clean, beautiful and there is no rusty pipe or radiator with peeling and yellowed paint sticking out before your eyes, this is wonderful. However, experience suggests that if the same thing can be done in several ways, the worst possible solution is invariably chosen. This is what we will try to fix.
So, how to close heating radiators without causing harm? What can our attempt to bring beauty actually affect?
Heat dissipation
A radiator warms a room using a combination of two heat transfer methods.
- Infrared radiation transfers thermal energy directly to objects in the room. It is thanks to him that you feel your cheeks begin to burn when you bring your face closer to a hot radiator.
- Convection currents lift warm air upward and replace it with colder air. As a result, the entire atmosphere of the room becomes uniformly warm.
When choosing how to cover the radiators, you need to clearly understand that ANY screen in front of the radiator will limit the exchange of heat between it and the room. The larger the area of its continuous surface, the colder it will be in the house.
Service
As a coolant, the centralized heating system uses conventional process water, which is initially far from the ideals of purity. Having traveled a long way along heating mains, an elevator unit, bottling points and risers, by the time it reaches the battery, the water carries a large amount of suspended matter. Guess where they settle?
It is precisely because of gradual silting that radiators require flushing every few years. It requires a flush valve itself, located in the lower corner of the heating device on the side opposite from the supply line, and... free access to the radiator.
If it is not there, you will either have to put up with the fact that out of ten sections the first two are heated, or break apart the one you made yourself decorative box or screen.
Malfunctions
When deciding how to close a radiator, it is useful to remember one more thing. Everything breaks sooner or later. Because, presumably, if you are not satisfied with the appearance of the radiator and pipes, they are no longer new - most likely, you won’t be able to expect any breakdowns. What could happen?
Lots of options:
- The steel pipes on the threads in front of the battery are thinner than on the straight sections of the riser, and are the first to leak.
- The risers themselves, welded from an electric-welded water and gas pipe, sometimes leak along the factory weld.
- Leaking from under the radiator locknut is a common occurrence in apartments with cast iron heating appliances.
Locknuts are one of the sore spots of cast iron batteries.
- Finally, in spring and autumn, leaks between radiator sections are common. After several years of operation, paronite gaskets no longer provide tightness.
Conclusions
Any decorative screen in front of the radiator:
- Should create as few obstacles as possible to convection and thermal radiation. The ideal is a metal or plastic decorative screen in the form of a coarse mesh. First of all, solid boxes on top, where hot air rises, are unacceptable.
- Should be easy to remove. The best thing is to be attached, without any permanent attachment.
Pipes should also be easily accessible if necessary. If, despite the above, you decide how to cover heating pipes with plasterboard - well, your right. At least provide a light plastic door near the inlet to the radiator. And, of course, be prepared to disassemble the structure you created at the first leak.
Solutions
So, how to close heating radiators, taking into account all of the above?
Decorative screen
We have already mentioned the main selection criteria. Mesh wherever possible, and no permanent attachment to the wall.
When choosing, you will probably come across several alternative options that you will really like in appearance. Alas, no matter how attractive the design and price of the product are, remember that in winter a home needs warmth first of all.
Wooden grate
How to close radiators if you want to put your own hands to work?
The instructions are simple: assemble an attached wooden grill. Thin mounting strips are easy to buy at a hardware store, and stain and varnish will make your work truly memorable.
The Healthiest Decision
Finally, consider another option. Perhaps it’s better not to think about closing the heating pipes with streaks of rust and peeling batteries, but to replace them with new ones? Both an aluminum radiator and a snow-white pipe made of reinforced polypropylene will not spoil the design of the home at all. Quite the contrary.
More importantly, in this case possible problems with a heating system will remain a thing of the past for a long time.
Conclusion
You listened to the plumber’s opinion and, we dare to hope, took it into account. The video at the end of the article will offer you a different point of view on the problem: the same issue will be considered from the designer’s point of view.
Good luck in decorating your home!
How to cover radiators so that they fit perfectly into the overall design of the rooms and do not spoil their design? But with this calculation, of course, to avoid significant losses in the efficiency of radiators? This question arises quite often when completing renovations of an apartment or house. If cast iron radiators of an old model are installed in the heating system, but there is no desire to change them, since they function perfectly, then they can be disguised with decorative screens or grilles.
These devices, we repeat, must be made in such a way that they do not interfere with the flow of heat into the room. Therefore, if you plan to make them yourself, you need to carefully consider the design. In addition, such products can be ordered from a furniture workshop, taking measurements from the place where they are installed, or they can be immediately purchased ready-made in specialized stores.
It should be noted that you can choose a model of protective and decorative screen that will not only mask the unsightly appearance of cast iron products, but will even increase the circulation of warm air from the radiators towards the room.
To choose the right screen model, you need to understand the operating principle of heating radiators and some of the patterns of transfer of thermal energy into the room.
Operating principles of heating radiators
The heating radiator, heated by the coolant passing through it, releases heat into the room in two ways. The first is natural convection of heated air. The second is thermal infrared radiation that comes from the surfaces of the heating device.
Thus, the familiar MS-140 cast iron radiators heat the room with convection currents at low coolant temperatures, that is, when it is still not very cold outside. When the system is brought to a maximum heating temperature of 70 degrees and above, the heat entering the room occurs to a greater extent due to direct thermal radiation from the surfaces of the radiators.
Efficiently working decorative screen
In order to select or make a screen that will minimally reduce infrared radiation and will not slow down (and sometimes even improve or activate) the circulation of heated air, it is necessary to take into account some nuances:
- Although the design shown in the first illustration looks aesthetically pleasing and is generally functional, it will not allow heated air to flow freely into the room. The wooden grille almost completely blocks access to the heat emanating from the radiators. The upper part of the radiator is also closed, and if it does not have special aerodynamic guides, then the convection of warm air will be extremely difficult.
- This version of the design covering the radiator is more acceptable, since there are sufficiently large gaps between the cladding strips - this will allow direct thermal radiation to freely enter the room. However, it is unsuccessful in that the top and bottom of the grille are closed, which will impede the circulation of air masses. A wide window sill may be convenient for use as a shelf, but it eliminates the creation of a warm air curtain that should block the cold air flows from the window.
- This grille-screen model can be called a very good option, since the facade panel has many gaps through which the heat emanating from the surfaces of the radiator sections can pass (it would not be advisable to have a more sparse weave). Horizontal upper part The design is a frame that will not become an obstacle to circulating air flows. There are no barriers at all to the entry of cooled air from below. In addition, the bottom of the facade panel can be raised when cleaning.
- Another model of a decorative screen that is suitable for masking any battery. The product is made in the form of an openwork mesh, so it looks light, almost weightless, but at the same time, the panel reliably hides the radiator located behind it. Thanks to the mesh structure of the façade and top panels, the heated air will not encounter obstacles to both direct heat input and the circulation process.
An effective device that can be used to complement the screen design is an aerodynamic visor. This element, installed under the window sill at an angle, will direct the rising hot air towards the room, preventing it from accumulating under the plane of the window sill. Such a visor should run along the entire length of the radiator.
But that's not all. It is recommended to supplement the design with another device - a heat injector. These are two more guide plates curved towards the room along the entire length of the radiator, installed on top along the boundaries of the space between the battery and the decorative screen. This does not interfere with the operation of normal convection flow when the coolant temperatures in the heating system are low. But when the heat is high, it collects all the heat that accumulates between the radiator and the screen, and redirects it into the room with a powerful air flow, creating a kind of thermal curtain. The efficiency of the heat exchange device increases significantly, and thereby largely compensates for the losses arising due to existing obstacles to direct thermal radiation.
The diagram below shows a screen, complemented by an aerodynamic visor, mounted on a radiator, as well as the heated air flows emanating from it:
- A - heat-reflecting screen made of foil heat-insulating material, mounted on the wall.
- B - aerodynamic curved canopy, installed under the window sill from its edge to the wall at an angle.
- B - two heat injector blades, fixed in the upper part inside the decorative screen, creating a tapering nozzle in the space between the radiator and the outer casing (screen).
- G - elements of the lattice front part of the decorative screen.
Thermal direct radiation is shown in the diagram with red dotted lines (item 3), ending with arrows. It is clearly visible that those of them that were initially directed towards the wall are reflected from the foil screen and redirected towards the room. They also heat up and decorative panel, which, in turn, also becomes a source of thermal radiation.
Blue arrows show the direction of cooled air (item 1) entering the radiator from below, which then heats up and rises upward, again heading into the room (brown arrows, item 2), which is facilitated by the aerodynamic visor and heat injector.
Types of decorative screens by material and design
Decorative screens for heating radiators are divided according to two criteria - these are design features and material of manufacture. Before moving on to their consideration, it is necessary to note two more important factors that you need to pay attention to when choosing these products:
- IN winter period When radiators heat up to high temperatures, strong convection currents are created. That is, cold currents tend to the radiators along the floor, pushed by warm air, carrying dust with them. Dust particles will inevitably settle not only on the radiators themselves, but also on the surface of the screen or grille. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a product from a material that is easy to wet clean.
- Apart from decorative? The screens also have a protective function, since it covers the radiator fins, reducing the risk of traumatic situations. This is especially important to take into account when choosing the material for making panels if small children live in the house, and cast iron radiators with their characteristic angular shapes are installed in the system.
Design features of decorative screens
Decorative masking panels are divided according to the method of attaching them to radiators. Today there are box-type screens and wall-mounted products.
- Box screens are made in the form of a lattice enclosed in a frame. This type of product is used when it is necessary to hide the unsightly appearance of the radiator, and sometimes even the heating circuit pipes. The boxes are lined up along the entire window sill or cover only the radiator.
Quite often the masking box is turned into a continuation of the window sill or even into desk or a cabinet. However, as mentioned above, such designs significantly reduce the flow of heat into the room.
- Hinged lattice screens can be equipped with an upper horizontal panel with a decorative lattice installed in it, or consist only of a façade part.
The first ones are used to disguise batteries installed in a niche or areas not covered by a window sill. These screen options are hung directly on the radiator sections.
Mounted screen models are installed on radiators installed in any way, that is, both in a niche or under a window sill, and on devices protruding from the wall.
- Flat screens mounted on the wall are most often installed on radiators that are not covered by a window sill, but can be used to cover radiators installed in a niche.
If this option is planned to be used to disguise batteries recessed into the wall, then it is necessary to leave gaps in the upper and lower parts of the niche for the free circulation of heated air masses.
By the way, many people prefer solid facade screens for the reason that they best hide the “unflattering” appearance of the batteries. One can argue with this - a neat grille, especially one that has a certain “pattern”, even with a fairly large vacuum, attracts the eye, and the sections shining through it become almost invisible. But at the same time, the efficiency of direct thermal radiation is incomparably higher.
Types of screens by material of manufacture
Both screens and grilles are made from different materials. To decide on the choice of products according to this criterion, you need to consider them characteristic features. It is especially important to consider temperature regime, in which the heating system operates in winter, as well as the resistance of the material to thermal loads and its environmental friendliness.
- Metal grating screens - this is a perforated sheet of metal without a frame or fixed in a metal frame, and having a protective and decorative enamel coating. Such screens are made using stamping technology. They may simply have geometrically correctly located holes (slots), or the perforation may even create one or another simple pattern.
Such grilles do not completely cover the radiators, allowing air flow to circulate freely throughout the room. The screens look quite neat and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the product meets environmental standards, and the material is resistant to high temperatures that may arise during operation, warms up well and itself becomes a source of thermal radiation.
The enamel coating is applied to the surfaces of metal gratings using the powder coating method. Therefore, the metal is not exposed to corrosion, and the “fresh” color is preserved for a long time without fading.
Metal versions of screens are produced both in a hinged version and in the form of boxes.
In addition, this type of screen will well protect the child from serious injuries if he accidentally falls near a cast iron battery.
The screens are easy to install at the site of operation and are durable. By design The product can be selected to suit any interior style. If desired or if changed color range Interior metal grilles can be easily repainted in the desired shade.
Metal screen grilles have a relatively affordable price, despite their excellent characteristics.
It should be noted that panels can be manufactured to individual orders according to specific dimensions provided by the customer, as well as taking into account the specific configuration and location of radiators.
Prices for decorative metal screen
decorative metal screen for radiators
- Screen-grids made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) . This version of the panels is made entirely of plastic or in a combined version, in combination with natural or artificial rattan. In such PVC panels, a frame is made in which a rattan mesh is fixed. Plastic can have a coating that imitates various materials - it can be various types of wood, stone, metallic or fabric weaving.
PVC has lower thermal conductivity than metal, which is why it is combined with natural rattan, which conducts heat well.
Polyvinyl chloride is resistant to fairly high temperatures, can be easily cleaned of dust using a vacuum cleaner or wet cleaning. The material does not emit toxic fumes and will provide good protection against injury for a small child.
The screens have a fairly aesthetic appearance and can be matched to any interior design.
The cost of PVC products is more affordable than metal panels, but in terms of service life they are significantly inferior to the latter.
- Wooden screens for radiators . Wood has always been an ideal material for residential interiors, as it can bring an atmosphere of comfort and coziness to them. Treated and sanded wood, coated with a tinting compound, will be a harmonious addition to interiors designed in different styles, since the grille can have any relief patterns.
After tinting, wooden screens are covered with several layers of varnish produced in water based, or are painted with special heat-resistant paints. The coating not only gives the products a noble appearance, but also protects the wood from a combination of moisture and elevated temperatures, that is, it preserves it from deformation.
If wooden screens are intended to be installed on radiators operating on the convection principle, then the top of the radiator must remain open. To do this, the panel installed horizontally on top should, like the front one, be lattice-based, since small slotted holes for a full-fledged process may not be enough to fully transfer heat from the radiator.
Wood is often combined with a mesh woven from thin rattan (rattan palm stems). This option transfers heat from radiators into the room much more efficiently than just a wooden grille. In such models, a rigid frame is made of wood, on which rattan weaving is stretched. This combination of materials gives the product a particularly aesthetic appearance. Rattan and wood, as well as the compositions used for their decorative processing, are environmentally friendly materials that do not emit toxic fumes.
Sometimes MDF is used instead of wood to make frames, which is almost impossible to distinguish from natural material at first glance. However, you need to know that in the production of MDF, adhesives are used that may contain formaldehyde. When heated, fumes of this substance, which is toxic, will enter the premises. Therefore, it is not recommended to purchase this option for installation in residential premises, and even more so in bedrooms or children's rooms.
It is recommended to periodically clean wooden screens and screens combined with rattan using a vacuum cleaner.
Disadvantage (conditional) wooden products their high cost may be considered, especially in cases where they are made to exclusive order. In many ways, the price of such gratings will depend on the type of wood used and the complexity of the planned project.
- Glass decorative screens . Many are afraid to install products made from this material as panels decorating radiators. But such fears are in vain, since the screens are made from special high-strength tempered glass with a thickness of 6–8 mm. And breaking it even intentionally is quite easy.
Glass screens for radiators are manufactured in the form flat panels With drilled holes for fastenings. They are fixed only on the wall or on the wall and floor using racks, which themselves are also an element of the screen’s decor.
Glass screens completely cover the front part of the radiators, but the top and bottom of the heating device remain open, which allows convection air flows to circulate freely. Therefore, this type of panels will become ideal option for radiators operating on the principle of convection heating. But if they are used to cover conventional radiators, such panels will very significantly suppress direct thermal radiation.
Products made from glass have many advantages, which include the following:
- affordable cost - they have a lower price than wooden options screens and grilles;
— it is quite possible to install the panel yourself, since all the necessary fasteners for installation are included in the kit;
- decorativeness and variety of design of products - they can be matte, plain in various colors, with thematic and floral designs and photo collages;
— the ability to make an individual order for applying a specific drawing or photograph to a special film using thermal printing, which is then fixed on the panel;
— safety in operation and care of products;
— environmentally friendly materials;
- heat resistance.
But for safety reasons, it is hardly worth installing such glass screens in a nursery, where children can play very active active games. The glass is unlikely to break, but the end sides of such a screen still pose an increased risk of serious injury.
You may be interested in information about what characteristics have
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So, much when choosing screens depends on the type of radiators, the style of the interior, as well as the financial capabilities of the home owner.
However, no matter which option is chosen, decorative screens will perfectly disguise the unsightly appearance of cast-iron batteries of old models, protect them from dust and dirt, as well as grease deposits if the battery is installed in kitchen area. In addition, the panels will reduce the risk of injury to children who may accidentally hit themselves or get burned when the batteries become very hot.
The information given above will be a good help when purchasing decorative screens or grilles, since it highlighted all the main aspects that you need to pay attention to when choosing a product from a particular material.
Video: screen options for radiators from the Premier Profile company
APPENDIX: Calculation of radiators for a room, taking into account the features of their connection and location
We must assume that since a site visitor is reading this article, he will be interested in calculating the required power of the heating radiator (the number of sections - for collapsible models). Moreover, the final value also depends on the presence and type of decorative screen.
You may be interested in information about how it is produced
The required power of a heat exchange device installed in a room depends not only on the area of the room, but also on a number of other criteria. All this is taken into account in the calculator presented to the reader.
Below are some explanations on how to carry out the calculation.