I'd say the thicker the board is the better. We put a 3.5" thick piece of salvaged warehouse beam wood on ours and it hasn't been an issue.

the wood might warp. and aren't ikea's products all veneered? that might peel quicker on a radiator. i'd get some solid wood, cut to size, for the radiator shelf. maybe even look into high-heat paints?

i used an ikea lack shelf on my radiator for 3 years and it never caused a problem. however, i also had my radiator nearly turned off most of the time because heat radiated from the pipes sufficiently.

I had a laminated shelf on top of a radiator at a place I rented once (it was there when I got there) and it was fine. I don't remember putting anything major on top of it, though.

I've done this with a piece of stone (marble, granite, or soapstone is good), which is definitely better than laminated wood (see http://shelterlife.thisoldhouse.com/2006/05/hot_topper.html). It never got so hot that we couldn't keep some things on there all winter.

However, a radiator works by circulating the air around the fins as they're filled with steam or hot water. So you will cut down on some of the heat the radiator gives off. Not much, I suppose, especially if you're in a typical NYC apartment. But bear that in mind.

Sorry -- here's the link:
http://shelterlife.thisoldhouse.com/2006/05/hot_topper.html

I can't think of a better looking way of covering up a radiator than the one covered on IkeaHacker:
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2007/07/radiator-cover-up.html

It's a beautiful finished product, and inexpensive, to boot!

I used a Lack shelf on my radiator for about a year. The bottom that was touching the radiator did warp, but it wasn't really noticeable. The rest of it was fine. Just don't plan on using the shelf again in an on-the-wall capacity.

I agree with shelter life alex's suggestion to go with a piece of stone if you can. If not, what about mounting the shelf on brackets so it sits a bit above the radiator?

Uh, why can't you put it on the wall?

I say no for two reasons. The first has been already mentioned - heat from the radiator could cause the shelf to delaminate.

Second, radiators are natural convection heat-exchangers. Ideally, your radiator should be free/open at the top, or at least covered by something that's a good conductor of heat. This cover will greatly reduce your heating efficiency.

Be green. Don't cover.

I did have one installed above the radiator and there was no problem. But it never touched it. I used LACK too. Now I still have one above the heater, but the heater is one of those floor ones, so there is at least one foot distance to the shelf.

yeah, ive had boards ontop of radiators for years. Never a problem. Just make sure its untreated, unpainted wood.

I have a LACK desk (remember when IKEA still made those?) above my radiator, which i keep on most of the winter. I was amazed at how much the veneer peeled away from the desk, especially towards the back of the desk, which gets most of the direct heat from the radiator. The veneer expanded and formed a "bubble" of sorts almost 2 inches away from the desk it was supposed to be glued to! And the desk is a good 1-2 feet above the radiator.... if the shelf is going to be clearly visible (and not cluttered with junk like my little desk) i think the peeling veneer will be pretty noticeable...

Like shelter life alex, I also have a piece of stone on top of my radiator, and it's always worked fine. I've seen suggestions to put a piece of wood on (in Domino, I think), and they suggested a very thick piece, as kellen suggested above.

SeanG, good point for those who can control the heat in their apartment. Unfortunately, many of us in older buildings have just one setting for the whole building, leaving the middle and upper floors sweltering while the lower floors freeze, and there is no way to adjust by floor.

I grew up with wood and pierced metal radiator covers. Having a shelf on the radiator is great because you can put a pan of water on it and have an instant humidifier - and if you add something nice scented to the water, you can have an instant stinky humidifier.

Luz: I cannot control the heat in my apartment either. I have one radiator on and everything else off and the windows are always open. I hate the wastefulness of it.

Just buy one from these guys. It will probably work out to the same price - and it's wayyyyy nicer!! www.fichman.com. They were fast and friendly and the product is beautiful. All of my clients love them (I'm an interior designer).

My company BattyBuilt specializes in designing and building custom radiator covers to suit any style, any room. We serve Westchester NY, Manhattan and Connecticut.

Here is a link to the website: www.battybuilt.com