A box for a radiator (38 photos): decorative models on a radiator screen, metal and plasterboard

In modern interior design, homeowners are often faced with the question of how to hide heating radiators and their piping. One way is to use special boxes that give the room an elegant and original look, while hiding the batteries out of sight. These decorative elements can be installed not only in residential buildings, but also in offices, enterprises and social facilities.

Kinds

First of all, boxes for heating devices can be divided into types depending on the design. They can be flat, hinged without a lid and with a lid, as well as close the radiator on each side.

Flat boxes are used when the heating element is located in a niche. If the radiator is located under a window sill, a box without a cover should be used, in other places it is possible to use hinged products with a cover. Which type is suitable for each particular case depends on the possibilities of fastening, thermal conductivity and design.

The materials from which the boxes are made can be many, for example, wood, drywall, glass, metal. The main condition that an element must meet is its good tolerance to high temperature indicators. Let's consider these varieties in more detail.

The metal box has excellent thermal conductivity, and also leaves a wide range for a variety of design solutions. It can be problematic to make and install such screens on your own, so special skills are required. Undoubted advantages are the reasonable price of such products, their long service life, as well as good tolerance to high temperatures.

Boxes made of wood are widespread. There are some nuances in their use. If this material is heated for a long time, it may deform. To avoid such consequences, the box is treated with a protective compound. But wood also does not conduct heat well, so a solid surface is not the most reasonable option, it would be much more successful to choose a screen in the form of a lattice with large gaps between the slats.

A wooden box can be installed in rooms where the design requires other wooden elements. Due to the environmental friendliness and safety of the material, the products can be used in almost any room, including children's areas.

For consumers who are especially interested in the price category, manufacturers offer drywall products. This material is notable for its low cost, while it is easy to process and perfectly imitates wood, so such boxes are deservedly popular.

A less common type is glass boxes. Most often they are made in the form of screens and are fixed to the surface with the help of supports. Such elements have an original appearance, all kinds of drawings and paintings can be applied to them. The price for a glass box is above average, while due to the fragility of the material, there are restrictions in their use, since the products require the most careful handling.

Benefits

The battery box has undoubted advantages. First of all, it has an aesthetic function. Open pipes do not spoil the design of the room and are not conspicuous.

The second function is protective. Residents and visitors to the premises will not be able to burn themselves by touching a hot radiator. For this purpose, boxes are often placed in apartments with small children. In addition, the battery will be protected from dust and other contaminants, and the warm air will circulate evenly.

In the case when the battery box is selected correctly, this will help to ensure an excellent microclimate and warmth in the room.

And it's also a great way to decorate. The modern market offers a huge variety of products that can satisfy the requirements of the most demanding consumers.

Features and requirements

Decorative work in relation to heating radiators has its own characteristics. It is not so easy to hide these devices without affecting their functionality, since it is assumed that less heat will come from such batteries. In addition, access to the heating elements themselves is difficult. Therefore, when decorating, it is very important to understand how exactly to cope with this with the least loss.

To preserve the functionality of the batteries, it is optimal to use removable and add-on screens that are not fixed to the wall thoroughly.

Convenience is also expressed in the fact that, if necessary, the element can be removed as quickly as possible , which helps to save time in the event of emergency situations, and also preserves the integrity of the box itself. In the presence of solid fasteners, it is not possible to dismantle the structure quickly and without damage.

And also an important point is heat transfer. Heating is influenced by infrared radiation, which heats objects, and convection, which heats the air itself. If there are no gaps on the box, this will become an obstacle for these actions. It is better if the screen does not cover the radiator from above and below, since for uniform heating, cold air must flow from the bottom of the heating element, pass through it and exit from above already heated. If this is not possible, the heating of the room will be worse, and the temperature in the room, accordingly, will be lower.

Based on the above, the most successful solution is a carved or perforated wooden box. There should be no solid surface as much as possible, and the holes in this case will provide air circulation. In addition, wood is considered an environmentally friendly material and is suitable for various types of designs. And also important is the fact that under the influence of high temperatures there is no release of harmful substances.

Other options

Boxes for radiators can be made not only from the above materials. For example, in some models, textiles are the basis. This is a good solution as heat dissipation remains high due to the free passage of air through the fabric.

Plastic boxes have a fairly low price, but heat transfer when using them is significantly reduced. Their use will be advisable in rooms with high humidity, as well as exposure to steam and chemicals, such as bathrooms, where, due to the adverse effects of moisture, it is not worth using wood and metal products, as they will quickly fail. For the kitchen, on the other hand, more traditional materials are suitable.

DIY plasterboard box

If you have certain skills, as well as desire, a box made of a material such as drywall can be made independently. This will allow you not only to save money, but also to realize the most daring design ideas and your own fantasies. It is not difficult to make such a box, but you need to know certain nuances that will help to do the job efficiently.

First of all, the heater itself is measured. This is necessary to calculate how much material is required during work. Depending on these indicators, the drywall itself is purchased. It must first be processed correctly.

To maximize heat transfer, the material should be rolled with a special needle roller, and to protect it from drying out, the surface is treated with an aqueous PVA emulsion.

This is followed by the development of the design. Consideration should be given to how heat is generated. To prevent it from going into the wall, which is often cold, it will be advisable to glue the surface directly behind the battery with heat-reflecting foil. It is recommended to apply black paint on the made box from the inside, it will absorb heat and transfer it to the room.

In the lower part of the box, it is necessary to leave gaps that will help ensure thermal convection and will not interfere with the flow of cool air from below. The main part located in the front is recommended to be made in the form of a lattice, to make special holes for air circulation, which can be decorated.

In addition, it must be borne in mind that any heating device requires periodic maintenance. For convenience, the front part can be made in the form of a door leaf. But it is also possible to equip the box with panels that are easy to remove. If it is planned to place it under the windowsill, it will be useful to equip an aerodynamic canopy that will direct the air flow upward.

Installation

The final step is to install the radiator box on the wall. During installation, certain conditions must be taken into account. The product must not be placed close to the radiator; the most protruding point should be 3 centimeters from the most protruding point of the heater. Next, the width of the front panel is determined and the necessary parts are prepared.

The next important step is to install the support elements. Depending on the type of construction, they can be fixed to the wall or floor, after which a frame is installed, on which the drywall will be screwed. If the material is to be painted, it is best to do so before installation. The places where the fasteners are located can be hidden by placing decorative panels on top.

How to assemble a decorative box for a radiator can be seen in the video below.