apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

um,no. I think that's sufficient.

I mean, isn't that the point?

My baseboard covers bother me too. They look just like these. I try not to see them, but never thought of covering them. I painted the covers in my bathroom black usng BBQ grill spray paint. That worked well.

i painted the one in my bathroom white. still ugly, just a little less so. i think this site- if not, definitely one out there- has shown covers for traditional radiators (i can think of one with cutouts that resemble champagne bubbles). i also recall seeing pics of shelving or storage units built over a radiator, maybe in new york mag. those are supposed to be sufficient too, so i don't think wanting to cover baseboards is so odd...if i find the pics i'll send a link.

Hey, I understand that you would like something with *PIZAZZ* - but I am not sure there is a standard replacement out there. You could start by taking off a section of those covers and see how they attach. I think you could have some type of perforated metal bent and applied as a replacement for the covers. I have seen radiator cover metal sheets, even at Home Depot - they could be adapted. It may sound like more trouble than it is worth to some, but if the standard covers really annoy you, then you could even probably get someone to bend/arc and perforate some nice stainless and have it attach in the place of or over theexisting covers. It could be neat!

there's a sake bar on 76th and 3rd that has brushed steel radiator covers similiar to what you are looking for. i would suggest heading there by to check them out.

NYT did a story on this back in November, if anyone wants to buy the story from their archive. The title was "Now Where Did That Old Radiator Go?"

Incidentally, most of the time you can get permanent, non-expiring-in-seven-days links to stories in the New York Times by entering the link at this site -

www.nytimes.blogspace.com/genlink

It's designed for RSS feeds, so that you can link to a story without creating a "broken" link once the story goes behind the archive wall. It also beats paying $2.95 for the archive version that doesn't include graphics, etc.

No, the Link Generator didn't work for this story on radiator covers - but I swear, 95% of the time it does!

I'd be afraid that adding another layer, albeit high style, would just further attract attention to them. And in the pic they look fairly unobtrusive as is. I'd divert your energy to the rest of the room.

Yes, there are nicer covers, but they don't go over your existing baseboards, they replace them. I don't have all my research with me, but will post again with a few links - my neighbor has some scrolled iron covers, which led me to start looking for other styles. They are called something different in the trade, which is why they're hard to locate for the layperson.

The covers that come with are sufficient, just not very nice to look at. We looked at this awhile back - the only source we found was Radiant Wraps (www.radiantwraps.com). Never tried them, so can't recommend them. We've also considered custom designs. As for efficiency, I think if the old covers are removed, the new cover would allow sufficient air flow for the radiators to work properly.

It's funny- I, like many above, never gave those ubiquitous floor-radiator covers a second thought( other than when they would take a bite out of my stereo cables) until I had to install the heating system in a barn I was rehabbing in the berkshires. Now, I agree with you. They're ugly. I think it very time I see some, and it's aggravaiting because very few people even notice them, but once one starts to obsesss... I whoeheartedly sympathize.

I also agree, however, that painting really doesn't help. If your heart's set on painting, though, I'd suggest spray-painting (there is hi-temp spray paint if you're concerned but I don't think those radiator vent covers get hot enough), and I'd suggest going bold with the color, as some people do with overhead pipes and ductowrk in lofts. Otherwise it'll look like you're trying to hide them and it won't work.

One other question.... do you own your place? If so, consider replacing them (including the radiators themselves) with Runtal (sp?) radiators. Yes, they're pricey. They're German, don't ya know. They also throw almost twice the btu per linear foot, and they come in custom colors, and they're the only cool-looking radiators I've ever seen. And they don't make any noise when they come on.

If you want to make your own covers, my only thought would be a brushed aluminum thing, but that would be pricey as well.

Carol here... Thanks everyone for the input. I checked out radiantwraps.com and that's basically the type of construction I'm looking for, but the designs are less than attractive and could indeed make my perceived eyesores worse. I imagine I could show a metal fabricator this site and perhaps come up with a more subtle design.

Peter, I do own my place and did check out Runtal and would love to swap out these things for their simply designed radiators but it may not be in the old budget at this time... but they are compact, simple and come in a variety of colors -- sort of the direction I'm hoping to head.

Also, I'm in W'burg and rarely make it to the Upper East Side, so if anyone happens to be near that sake bar (with a digital camera) that S mentioned, at 76th & 3rd, I'd much appreciate a shot of their radiator covers!

Thanks everyone -- Carol

They may be ugly, but they are functional. Radiators don't just radiate, they also create convective currents. They're designed to draw cooler air from the room that has sunk to the floor in, heat it so it will rise, drawing more air in at the bottom. My point is, change them if you want, but beware you may end up with a heating problem if you mess with the physics of it.

Try searching for

Weil McLain cast iron baseboard panels - several styles, this is what my neighbor put in and since the condo board had to pay for hers, my guess is that they are cheap

Rhino Cast baseboards (www.hydronics.org or hydronics.com)

Baseray cast iron baseboards

and Runtal, which has already been mentioned.

I've laminated the existing baseboard covers on jobs over the years to match what we were doing on that wall, Ex. mirror,formica,granite.It doesn't affect the heat if it's done right.

There's no reason these things have to be metal. You could have a carpenter fabricate something relatively cheaply. I have built-in bookcases in my living rooom and the carpenter concealed the baseboard radiators, and put in perforrated metal sheeting on the fronts.

I AM LOOKING FOR 200 LF OF STANDARD METAL OR WOOD BASEBOARD RADIANT HEAT COVERS 8" OR SO HIGH UNDER 3" DEEP ON A RUSH BASIS. THE JOB IS LOCATED IN POTOMAC, MARYLAND. ANY ONE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS WORK FOR ME SHOULD CONTACT AT 301-257-3627.

Try radiant wraps dot com they have several styles to choose from. A bit pricey but it all depends on how bad you want to change the look of your baseboard especially if you do not want to touch the plumbing. And by the way, the covers should be metal because baseboard warms in two ways. First, is convection. The cooler air is drawn across the fins for warmth. Second, is radiant, the front panel gets warms to radiate heat outward.

Well thats a releif I thought I was the only person really annoyed by the whole hideous baseboard heater thing, but I guess not. I've actually been thinking abot having some custom wood work done, since the covers on the heaters actually come off and reveal the pipe and fin of the heater. The rest can be easily removed, it's finding something to your liking thats the hard part. Anyone ever do this before!!!

There are several companies that make wooden baseboard covers orderable online. They are attractive and functional, and not too expensive. Here's an example: http://www.woodenradiatorcabinet.com/baseboard.htm

I actually mentioned a company that makes some cool (I think) wood heater covers the other day in my blog: The link is http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2005/08/baseboard_heate.php if you want to take a peep. (The company is missionwoodworking.com )

I may be late to this, but my architect friend just found this site - www.go-overboard.com. I've been looking to cover mine also.

They are metal, come in 4 styles to look like wood baseboard and you can install them yourself. They can be painted also.

Wow, I hit the jackpot when I found this website! My husband and I are putting an addition on to our house and wanted to have radiant floor heating but it wasn't in our budget. We have a beautiful old home with radiators. All our rooms have the large stand-up radiators and throughout the 20 years we have lived there we have painted all our radiators to match the colors of the walls and that worked. But we wanted something different in our addition. The only other option, other then the radiant floor heat, was baseboard heat. I dreaded the ugly baseboard styles our plumber offered and decided to go online. After a good hour of looking at ugly baseboards I found your site and looked on the go-overboard website Diane suggested. The covers are beautiful and since a good portion of our walls that will have baseboards are brick, the Federal style was perfect. Thank you so much Diane for the suggestions. It wasn't too late for us to see your email, and we are very grateful. Can't wait to see how this will look once it's done.

Hoping someone can help me and my husband out as well. We are looking for inexpensive baseboard covers for a hot water heating system that are at least 8" high.

We've heard you can make them out of wood, but we can't find any resources on what logistics and considerations you need to take into account to avoid the heating pitfalls noted earlier.

We aren't opposed to standard metal covers-we just want to find something that fits both the radiators and our budget! Any advice?

I'm interested in this since I need to replace a rusted cover in a bathroom. I have typical covers like the one in the photo. Where can I buy a cover and are any of them rust proof such as aluminum?

Looking for baseboard covers that won't burn my baby.

The BEST place to order baseboard covers sthat are not made of wood is

http://www.Go-overboard.com

the only other place I know of that does the same thing but in wood is

http://www.missionwoodworking.com

But I'm a bit iffy on wood covers on a heating unit, however, I'm sure it wouldn't get as hot as metal would.....

go to www.Go-OverBoard.com

We are able to make just about any cover you would need. Our covers are powder coated and made of 16 & 18 ga steel and are very easy to install. For more information call 484-945-1033 ask for Dan

I purchased Beautiful covers from a company called Radiant Wraps.
A bit expensive but very hi quality. There is a few others out there but can not compare with their product. It goes over the existing, very little seaming if any, and a choice of metals, colors etc. They even came out and measured for free.
Yes, you can save a little but with all the agrivation you have to go through to make others fit and be as good looking, it does not pay.
They are located in NJ but also have a div. on Long Island.

The web site for Radiant Wraps.
www.radiantwraps.com

I'm contemplating purchasing baseboard covers from Go-overboard.com....has anyone had a bad experience after purchasing these aluminum based radiator covers?

I have a friend who makes beautiful custom wooden heater covers, if you would like to see pictures or would like any further information please feel free to contact me. These are absolutely gorgeous and can be made to order and can be shipped.

i can be contacted at nsantono@aol.com reference the above info.

We purchased baseboard covers from Radiant wraps.
My husband picked them because of the high quality and minimal assy. They also offered many colors and styles, and free services. Others have only 3 foot sections and you need spacers and or pieces to make them fit.
He called it an erector set and wasn't too keen on cast aluminum for some reason. Anyway, we love them.

Try www.go-ovverboard.com. Slightly expensive but very attractive. Good luck!

Check out this web site: http://www.missionwoodworking.com/php/list_category.php?cat=10.
Here is a solution for your baseboard heaters. They provide a way to cover those eye sores in a way that adds to the beauty of your home and still provides the functionality that you need.

Eric Good
egood

I have been obsessing about my baseboard heater covers for 40 years now, since moving here in 1965. My living room has rich oak hardwood floors and the room is trimmed with dark cherry molding (window/door trim, crown molding and thick floor molding). The doors in the room are also dark cherry. I've put a lot of work into this room and have been complimented on it many times, but I will never be able to appreciate it until I get rid of those damnable heater covers. Half the room has wide, elegant, cherry baseboard trim and the other half, the part that jumps up and hits me in the face when entering, is the dreaded baseboard heater covers, painted the color of the walls. UGLY! I've been looking for replacements for years with no success and just this week came across two sites advertising carpenters who make them in wood. One of the sites was already mentioned earlier in this thread and the other is http://www.woodenradiatorcabinet.com/english/home.html

My only concern is their width. Too much width could put too much space between furniture and wall. We'll see.

I'm going to contact them tomorrow. I'll let you know what they say.

Blessing to All, Lydia

I have exactly the same problem, and am considering installing kick space heaters in the hall, which will entirely eliminate the baseboard. Since they mount inside the wall, all you see is the face grate, and that can be painted easily to match the wall or trim color. I used on in the kitchen to replace about 8 feet of baseboard, and I get more heat out of it, faster, and the fan distributes the heat better than the old readiator.

Try going to www.accufabinc.com. We manufacture stainless steel baseboard heat covers that easily replaces your existing hot water baseboard heatcovers.

Durable, no maintenance and rust free, these covers are available in 2 stainless steel finishes as well as any color you wish (powdercoat). If you have any questions please give us a call at 607.273.3706

Looking at all the links... what appears to be on offer makes the covers stand out too much. I want simple, understated covers that dont look cheap, fussy or like they're straight from the 80s!

Please help... we're just about to move in and I hate the damn baseboard radiators already. Do I, too, have to suffer for 40 years!?

nick

nick there is a new product called overboards that will fit over fin tube baseboard I believe the name of the web site is overboard.com

Hi, I just searched & it is www.go-overboard.com. Some good, basic & relatively reasonable(?) prices.

You know, if you search baseboard covers, Yahoo returns over 43,000 hits !!! And yes cover them as I did becuase they are Ugly as sin !!!!!

yes you can get something that hides your baseboards so it will look nice all you have to do is google heater covers and alot of sites will come up.

http://www.radiantwraps.com/

Radiant Wraps will cover your basboard heaters instead of timely/costly paint!

I have made these covers in NYC for 10 years plus by the name Aerocase. Sleek perforated metal covers inspired by the fixtures at the base of subway cars. They look clean and modern and simply hang over the existing fin-tubes behind the ugly slant fin or similiar product. I am launching a mass-produced line in the summer of 2007, but you can e-mail me for custom orders now.

I just want to thank you all for the info you have supplied. I have an old house with baseboard heat in every room and I hate them. Also I have baseboard heaters behind the toilet and I live with a 16 year old son with bad aim :) so you can imagine the condition of my heater cover. I have tried to wash it but it just does not help. This way I can clean it, neutral the rust and put an attractive cover over it without calling the plumber . Thanks again.

interested in the aerocases. where do I find them?

you can e-mail kansasny@hotmail.com for info on Aerocase, sleak modern looking fintube covers.

joseph

Another site that sells custom-made wooden covers is

I make wooden baseboard covers all solid oak and have photos available by Email. Easy to install by removing old slantfin type covers. They have become a great solution to that unsightly rusting bathroom baseboard. Unfinished they run about $25 a foot

Bill, would love to see your covers, how can I contact you? Thanks!

Bill, I am interested as well. the others suggested here are quite expensive

Paul

paul@hhmorant.com

send me an e mail at kuhl1620@optonline.net and I will forward pictures for your review.

Does anyone know where to find just standard replacement covers for baseboard heaters? The cover on my bathroom heaters is rusting.

Rich

I have the same problem and there is a company that makes them, www.radiantwraps.com very, very, very expensive. Unless you have corroded vents I suggest rust oleum spray paint and paint the part attached to the wall with a small brush. I painted most of mine and they look great.

Home Depot carries Slant Fin which is the ubiquituous brand. You can also find the Slant Fin website to identify yours. They seem to be offered in a variety of colors, all of which are off-white.

Does anyone know the prices of the Aerocase heating covers? go-overboard ended up being over $300 for a 7 foot section with to end caps. I thought that was expensive and they make it difficult to get price quotes. It takes a few days for them to get back to you and they send a proposal (like its a really big deal). If anyone was looking for an idea to start a business, this is the one: Inexpensive cover replacements for heating systems that look nice. Thanks for everyone's input.
Chuck

I have the perfect solution to your heater cover problem. I make wooden baseboard covers to fit right over your exsisting covers. Your old ugly over-painted baseboard covers will be completly transformed into bueatiful classy covers. If you are interested feel free to contact me at 631-484-5053 and I will amswer any questions. You can also e-mail me @ rock214bottom@aol.com. I can also send pictures. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks Charlie

I have the smae issue. It ruins my dining room and living room. Did you ever find someone to replace the covers or cover them?

Hey, I had gotten baseboard covers from Charlie, (rock214bottom@aol.com), about 3 years ago. They look just as beautiful as they did the day they were installed. This was the best move me and my wife made. The price was very reasonable!! THe quality, and workmenship was unmatched. I would recommend these covers to anyone.

Here is a very inexpensive site that I found for baseboard covers
http://stores.ebay.com/suzannes-cabinets

Jim, I checked out the web site you posted. NO COMPARISON!!, to the covers I got from Charlie, at rock214bottom@aol.com. You get what you pay for. Those covers you posted are 15 inches high, and stick out off the wall 12 inches?! The covers I got from Charlie stand 9 inches tall, and only stick out about 41/2 inches. Not to mention, the look and finish are 100% nicer, and the cost was about $40 more for the same length.
If anyone wants to see photos e-mail me at southwestmarina@hotmail.com. seeing is beleiving. Joe

go to radiantwraps.com. they have some nice covers for a price

Wow! I stumbled onto this site after about 3 hours of wasted time on the net. Thanks for all the great info. I have spent several hours reading the posts and following the links left by others. I think I can now build a small cover for our bathroom. Has anyone tryed this? If so any words of advice. Although I live in Alaska I have this site book marked and am looking forward to checking back from time to time.

Go to the website radiantwraps.com, they have beautiful decorative colors. (A little pricey for my taste, but you may not need as many feet as I would) Good luck, Teri

I'm online looking for some kind of decorative or antique looking baseboard heat cover, wrap or other type of register now. The institutional looking ones are ugly! I've hated them ever since I put new laminate flooring in my kitchen & dining room. When I find the right thing I'm planning on changing ever one in the house. I suprised that there is not more available to cover or replace these things!

i must have missed something here ..nobody mentioned home depot . iwas in there yesterday and they have replacement covers called SLANT FIN it will cost you about 6 bucks a foot but the end caps are about 12.50 each

Hey Nick,
I'm sure just about everyone has tried home depot. The problem with the slant fin covers are they don't fit older baseboards. Even if they're only 5 years old. If it was that easy there wouldn't be this blog, and once again in a couple of years you'll be painting them again.
Jim

I've used the self adhesive wood veneers to blend my baseboards in with some Oak wainscoating. Works great and has held up beautifully. The best part is that the size is not increased in the process as with those bulky ugly covers that just call more attention to the baseboards. I've never seen one that enhances a room.

ROCK214BOTTOM, LOOKING FOR QUOTES FOR LIVING ROOM BASEBOARD COVERS. PLEASE CAN YOU GET BACK TO ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE?

hi bob you need to e-mail me at Rock214bottom@aol.com Your posting did not give me an e-mail address to contact you.thank you charlie

great info here....could somebody please email me some pics of charlies covers....at cutter10x@yahoo.com.

Is it wrong to cover the baseboard completely, so nothing could come out (or go in)? Just for Spring/Summer, of course- I'm scared of spiders coming through there or hiding in the dark recesses. If it's o.k. to cover them, any recommendations on how?
Or maybe it would be easier to find a way to ditch this arachnophobia. But, you cover the air conditioner for Fall/Winter, n'est-ce pas? Is it even likely that spiders would visit me through the heating ducts?

I'm looking for Aerocase and/or Joseph Munson for a current project. (The kansasny@hotmail.com address bounces.)

Or other sources to make semi-custom metal fin tube covers.

Thanks.

I have the same baseboards as originally shown by Carol and although there are seem to be options available for whole unit replacements, does anyone know where I can find the endcaps to these old, standard baseboard covers?

The local plumbing supply stores can't seem to help us. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

ReneGail

I found replacement baseboard enclosures at http://www.sterlingheat.com/html/residential_heat.asp
Some of their products are distrubuted through www.remichel.com. I have had good luck with the Heatrim Plus product in my old house - I keep the original fin elements, but replace all the metal around them.

After searching the web for way too many hours and struggling with rusted Slantfin heater covers for even more hours I found this web site: http://www.slantfinbaseboard.com/
Which leads you to a product web site: http://baseboardheatercovers.com/index.html
which sells a product that makes replacing the covers EASY and FAST and EXPENSIVE!!! Oh well, back to the rust and the cheap, difficult and really slow way.