Radiator Covers

[BradNaylor]

I've got to quote for a couple of radiator covers for a new client. I normally don't bother with these but my interest was heightened by the presence of a brand new Bentley AND a Porsche on the drive.

Oh, and the question 'Do you do kitchens, too?'

So, radiator covers. Is it best to make them so that the valves are exposed at the sides, or enclosed within the cover? I've seen both, and a trawl round the internet suggests that the latter is the more common - but that may just be because it makes measuring up a lot easier.

My inclination however, is to leave the valves exposed so that adjustments can be made without having to remove the cover.

Having said that, punters like this probably call a plumber out to turn the radiators up or down!

Cheers
Dan

 

[Mr Ed]

One thought Dan;

If the radiators have thermostatic valves on them I would think they are best exposed so they are in the climate of the room, rather than inside a 'heated box' as that might affect their behaviour.

Cheers, Ed.

 

[Argee]

I'd agree that thermostatic valves may benefit from being exposed, although it seems to negate the point of the exercise in some way too!

If you're going to totally enclose (as I was asked to on the eight-foot wide, conventionally-valved radiator shown below), remember to leave enough space at the relevant end for bleeding.

BTW, was it an Arnage and a Carrera, or just the common-all-garden Bently and Porsche models?

Ray.

 

[jasonB]

As Ed says if you want the TRV's to work they must be outside. However I prefer to make the cab wide enough to cover the valves if they are not TRVs. I tend to leave a groove at the bottom for the panel to drop into and use catches at the top so the panel can just be snapped out, you need the width at the side for access to the vent key anyway.

The last couple I made for the owner of a Continental GTC cost me over £800 just for the woven mesh :wink: There are a few of mine on this page

Jason

 

[Nick Gibbs]

I agree about TVR valves outside. I've done radiator covers with cane, and can explain the technique if you're interested. Cane is relatively cheap and works well once you've mastered the technique. You can paint it or stain it.

Cheers

Nick

 

[BradNaylor]

I agree about TVR valves outside. I've done radiator covers with cane, and can explain the technique if you're interested. Cane is relatively cheap and works well once you've mastered the technique. You can paint it or stain it.

Cheers

Nick

Hmmm...

In a former life I used to make cane furniture and used a lot of woven cane mesh. I think I've got a couple of rolls in the loft.

Thanks Nick!

Dan

 

[Nick Gibbs]

I presume then you know all about routing out a groove, wetting the cane, making some wooden tools to force the cane into the groove, stapling the cane temporarily to the frame, then pushing solid rattan into the groove with glue, then it tightens as it dries and you can remove the staples and cut off the excess cane (to give anyone who hasn't done it an instant guide to the job!!!).

Cheers

Nick

 

[BradNaylor]

I presume then you know all about routing out a groove, wetting the cane, making some wooden tools to force the cane into the groove, stapling the cane temporarily to the frame, then pushing solid rattan into the groove with glue, then it tightens as it dries and you can remove the staples and cut off the excess cane (to give anyone who hasn't done it an instant guide to the job!!!).

Cheers

Nick

I can see you've re-caned the odd Habitat dining chair in your time too, Nick!

I've never used staples, though. Perish the thought.

Cheers
Dan

 

[Nick Gibbs]

My parents had a furniture business (and yes I've recaned many Habitat chairs in my time). The staples only held the cane temporarily, and you never saw the holes. There may be a better way of doing it, but it worked for us for decades, for furniture being sold to Harrods, Heals etc...

Cheers

Nick

 

[wizer]

Would you mind documenting this build Dan? I have a couple to build and can't get me head around the joinery involved.

 

[9fingers]

I was reading elsewhere only today that these radiator covers typically reduce the radiator output by 50%.
Unless the system has been designed with use of covers in mind and suitably over-rated radiators used, these clients could find themselves cold in the depths of winter.
Or maybe they just throw a few more yokels on the fire?

Radiator covers are just madness!

Bob

 

[wizer]

I have read that too Bob (probably on here), but radiators can be ugly things and toddlers and radiators don't mix.

I think it's to do with top ventilation isn't it? i.e the flat solid top stop the heat from rising, forcing it to move sideways and loosing energy as it does? Could you put a vent in the top?

 

[9fingers]

Toddlers need to learn about hot things sooner rather than later!

An open top and bottom will certainly help the radiator to work as designed.

Making the height a few inches greater than the rad should keep those little fingers away.

Bob

 

[Doug B]

IMHO i think hiding the valves inside the cover looks lots better.
You can fit remote sensors that control TRVs, if they are fitted.
The covers i make have hinged front grills allowing full access to the rad for bleeding & maintainance.
James.

 

[BradNaylor]

Would you mind documenting this build Dan? I have a couple to build and can't get me head around the joinery involved.

On my google searching I found this site which details how they make a radiator cover.

http://www.woodysworldof.com/index.php? ... ages_id=17

I would probably cut a few corners but it makes interesting viewing.

Cheers
Dan

 

[TheTiddles]

Radiators aren't like oven doors or open fires, they may be hot but they won't do permanent damage to a kid's hands unless they go to sleep with their face on it, which is suitably unlikely

Aidan

 

[wizer]

ok the toddler thing wasn't a big issue, just an example

 

[Jake]

Radiator covers are just madness!

Couldn't agree more - almost universally more ugly than the radiator they hide, too.

Buy a nicer radiator if you don't like the looks. Stuffing inside some hideous mockney wooden thing and trashing its ability to do what it is supposed to do is nuts.

But, hey it's business for 'Dan'.

 

[Doug B]

Dan,
Do you think the guy dressed up especially as he knew he was going to be photo`ed for the video .
I bet after a day carrying & cutting up mdf in a vest the last place you`d want to see (or be near) were his armpits :shock: .

 

[Rich]

Radiators are what they imply, they RADIATE heat, high effinciency radiators are a different matter, these rads have fins at the rear, and rely on convection for maximum efficiency.
As I have said before, cold air is heavier than warm air, thus cold air at floor level hits the rad and becomes warmer and lighter and rises exponentially, this is a constant process and gives rise to CONVECTION,
as opposed to radiated heat.
So, anything placed in front of or over a convection type rad will inhibit it's efficiency, albeit not much, but enough to incur extra heating costs to meet the required output of the rad.
As a householder, I like radiator covers and think they enhance the look of a room, as a heating engineer, forget them.

Regards,

Rich.