Heating batteries can not always serve as an interior decoration. Therefore, they have to be hidden, decorated in all possible ways. Let's try to figure out how to do it beautifully and correctly.
Features and requirements
Decorating heating radiators is not as easy a task as it might seem at first glance. It is necessary not only to hide the unsightly radiator, but also to maintain a comfortable room temperature. Obviously, closed batteries give much less heat, and access to them becomes difficult.
In order to properly close the batteries and not reduce heat transfer at the same time (or at least slightly reduce), it is necessary to understand how radiators heat the room, on what principle they work. And choose the decor so that it represents the minimum hindrance in the performance of the batteries of their functions.
Removable or attachment screens that do not have solid mounts 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 in a wall, a plasterboard box, or closed by a screen “tightly” attached to the wall, the structure will have to be broken. Dismantling it without damage will not work.
Another important criterion when choosing a decor is how much it will affect heat transfer. The room is heated due to the release of infrared radiation (it heats objects) and convection (heats the air directly).
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 would be perforated, carved or lamellar screens that do not cover the battery from above or below. Either slightly closing.
In order for the air to evenly warm up, it must be able to freely enter from the bottom of the battery, pass through it and exit from above already warm. A tightly "sealed" radiator does not give it such an opportunity, and therefore the temperature drops. As for infrared 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 a decor drops significantly.
The optimal solution for any interior will be a wooden perforated or carved screen. The main thing is that it has as little solid surface as possible and as many holes as possible allowing air to circulate freely. In addition to the fact that wood harmoniously fits into almost any interior style, it is also necessary to highlight such a property as environmental friendliness. When heated, it will not emit any harmful substances. On the contrary - under the influence of heat, wood releases essential oils that have a positive effect on human health (of course, we are talking about natural wood).
Economical ways
To hide old radiators, it is not at all necessary to use expensive materials and structures. There are many budgetary ways to close unsightly radiators while maintaining high heat transfer rates and easy access to the system.
These methods include:
- Coloring. Even old, Soviet battery samples can be turned into a stylish interior element by painting them to match the walls or, conversely, in a contrasting color. At the same time, the costs are minimal, and the benefits are obvious: the possibility of quick access to the radiator remains, convection is not hampered by anything, the room maintains a comfortable temperature. Such radiators will fit into any interior, from a modern loft to a classic, the main thing is to choose the right color.
- Textile. The simplest thing is to cover the batteries with curtains that go down to the floor. The main thing is to ensure that there is no possibility of the fabric igniting from too hot batteries. Or - if the option with curtains is not entirely acceptable - you can stretch a fabric on a wooden frame that is in harmony with all other textiles in the room, and close the radiators with this screen. Air easily passes through the fabric, it does not represent any obstacle to that, which means that the heat transfer will not decrease.
- The use of materials such as plastic, MDF panels, drywall will also be inexpensive. However, they also have a significant drawback - lowering the 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 better used in the bathroom to close 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 drywall have good thermal insulation properties, which in this case is absolutely unnecessary. And getting close to the system will be difficult.
Of course, low cost is a significant advantage of the material, and for many it is decisive. However, do 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 the price.
Wooden structures have a good combination of affordability, aesthetics, environmental friendliness and the ability to transmit heat. A simple grille made of narrow slats, 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 organically in any interior. No wonder the tree has been used since ancient times in the design of houses. Its peculiar natural aesthetics, warmth, comfort, which it brings to the house, are still appreciated and in demand.
If you choose a metal sheet - copper or aluminum - as a background for a carved wooden panel, this solution will bring double benefits. Wood will take over a decorative function, and thanks to metal, the temperature in the room will not only not drop due to a closed battery, but it may even rise.
Popular solutions
Nowadays, there are many ways to hide old cast iron batteries under a window. Screens from a wide variety of materials, niches, painting, wall mounting - options for every taste. But if decorating heating radiators in the living room, bedroom or nursery is quite simple - it is enough to choose a solution that will be in harmony with the overall style of the interior - then in rooms with characteristic conditions (for example, in the kitchen, bathroom) it is more difficult to do this.
For these rooms, it is necessary to select a material that will withstand high humidity and temperature changes, and the possible effect of steam and chemicals. And with all this, it will be non-toxic. The best option would be to paint radiators to match the walls or in a contrasting color with it. This is the most common way to decorate pipes in bathrooms.
As for other premises of the house, everything here depends solely on the imagination and budget of the owners. But the basic requirements for screens for radiators 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 infrared radiation. At the very least, create minor obstacles.
Glass screens that are now popular, of course, have a high decorative effect , look great in the interior, but they significantly reduce heat transfer, which means they contribute to a decrease in the temperature in the room. Such decor can be used if heating is carried out in some other way, for example, using warm floors.
Quite often you can find such a solution - radiators are mounted inside the wall, and a small window (or two), closed by a grill, is left for the passage of heat. Not only does the temperature in the room drop significantly in this case, but also access to the system becomes almost impossible - for this you will have to break the wall in the truest sense of the word.
The same applies to boxes made of plasterboard, plywood, MDF, chipboard and other similar materials. Reduced heat transfer, difficult access to the system against decorativeness. Everyone makes a choice for himself.
Screens made of metal - copper or aluminum are gaining popularity now. Such models will not only not lower, but can also increase the temperature in the room. Heating up from a radiator, such screens act as a battery themselves, and additionally heat the room.
If the room is covered with wallpaper, heating elements can be decorated with leftovers. Cutting them into strips and gluing them to radiators (of course, with heat-resistant glue), you can get a wonderful decor element at minimal cost that will harmoniously fit into the interior.
In the children's room, you can generally give free rein to imagination, or you can involve the inhabitants of the room in the process. Children will happily take on the decoration of their own home and themselves will tell you how they would like to decorate the batteries. Favorite cartoons, fairy tales, your own imagination, in which a room is not a room at all, but a ship, a tank or a racing car. All this can be used when decorating radiators.
Design Tips
To decorate old heating radiators, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money, effort and time. You can just paint them. Freshly painted batteries will look good in a modern interior, such as, for example, a loft, and in a classic room or 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 color is black or white. One of them can be used to stain batteries. Elements painted in a contrasting color - black on white or white on a black background - will look especially impressive.
For more prosaic, calm interiors, this is hardly suitable - 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 a classic interior it will be inappropriate. Here it is better to paint the batteries to match the walls so that they blend in with the background.
Heating radiators can be decorated with painting. Such elements will look good in the nursery, emphasize the dynamic, active, unusual atmosphere inherent in this room.
In the bathroom, you can put the pipes in a plastic box. It will 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 the heating system implies not only the masking of its elements, but also the possibility of easy and quick access to any of its units. This is one of the most important selection criteria that should be followed when choosing a radiator design.
Another important factor is heat transfer. But here you can resort to a little trick. A foil foam heat insulator, hung on the wall behind the radiator, will reduce heat loss twenty times.
But it must be attached to the wall, and not just put the battery. At the same time, a distance of at least two to three centimeters should remain between it and a 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 equip the box with a door to ensure the fastest and easiest access to the system at any time.
Modern industry produces heating radiators that differ significantly from the 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 display them for all to see, hang in the center of the wall and demonstrate to guests as a bright unusual accent.
Modern radiators are a striking decorative element that is attractive in itself. Even simple white models have their own aesthetics. You don't have to hide them. They will perfectly cope with the role of discreet, but stylish decor elements that also perform a practical function - they heat the room.
Examples in the interior
It is not such a difficult task to decorate or hide radiators in a room beautifully, so that they are not a "fly in the ointment" and spoil the entire appearance of the room. Modern materials allow you to solve this issue with minimal costs.
Vertical, horizontal, sectional, copper, cast iron - the modern market offers a wide variety of radiators for every taste.
In a children's room, a battery of a bright, cheerful color, for example, yellow, will look good - it has a positive effect on the nervous system and the emotional state of a person.
New models, unusual for the eyes - vertical radiators. They are placed vertically on the wall and can occupy the entire height from floor to ceiling. Such an element looks quite stylish and does an excellent job of maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room.
In the bathroom, you can place a wide, low-height radiator (resembling a bench). He will be able to perform not only his direct task, but also serve as a dryer for clothes or towels. By the way, the dryer can be connected to a battery - an interesting combination will turn out, again performing several functions. Rational use of space and objects never hurts.
Chrome radiators look interesting and unusual. They will become a real highlight of the interior, immediately attracting the eye.
An interesting finish - with the help of chrome - brings a touch of freedom, emancipation inherent in bikers to the interior. They come to mind when looking at these sparkling designs.
Designer radiators will also decorate any interior. Unusual designs, shapes, when looking at which you will not immediately understand that this is an element of the heating system, they become a bright accent, like a picture on a wall. Such batteries should not be hidden, on the contrary, they are put on public display, emphasized with a contrasting background, placed in the center of the wall without any addition, so that nothing distracts attention from the unusual object.
Copper radiators - both vertical and horizontal - can also serve as a spectacular room decor.
Their design is not complicated, but they have such advantages as:
- High heat dissipation.
- Attractive color.
- Ease.
Pleasant for the eyes, discreet copper color will be a worthy addition to the interior in any style.
Laconic black elements of the heating system will look good against the background of brickwork - white or gray. They can also be vertical or horizontal, in any case they will be attractive, spectacular, but at the same time - a discreet decorative element.
In modern interiors, one can often find heating radiators, exposed, as an independent element of decor, than hidden in boxes or covered with screens. Even cast iron batteries, which in many people evoke memories of the Soviet Union, are now distinguished by an interesting design, unusual color schemes and high decorativeness.
The batteries left open do a better job of heating the room, nothing prevents air circulation or the emission of infrared rays. This means that the temperature in the room remains comfortable, objects and air are evenly heated, heat does not remain inside the box or niche, but spreads in the room. And this is the main function of the heating system
For information on how to hide a heating radiator, see the next video.