Good Questions: Radiator Cover Up Help?

Hello AT,

I need to do something with my radiators.

They are not like any I have seen before. Does anybody have any ideas for me? I really don't like the wood radiator covers I have seen in most ads, they just don't look contemporary enough for my taste.

These are made of metal as is the windowsill, although the windowsill is not a nice kind of metal that could be refinished. Any ideas or would be appreciated.

Thanks! Kelly

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

Dear Kelly,

Hmmm. We're going in for a short answer and see what others say.

If you rent: we would simply paint them to match your wall or your trim in semi-gloss and leave it at that. They are about as minimal as you can get for an old, prefab radiator cover and the best small improvement would be not to obssess over them.

If you own: Blow these out! Get a cabinetmaker to build you a really nice cover that will also create a deeper window sill. With a nice top piece coming from the window out about 16" and then heading to the floor, you would nave a very attactive new space for objects or even - possibly - a window seat.

Anyone else????

Comments (12)

Thanks for the input everyone. Will post a picture when I finally transform these monsters!

posted by Kelly on 2006-04-24 13:51:56

Ugh, we have these as well...and we own. If you have any pics of what you are describing, Id love to see them! I agonize over these things...

posted by taresa on 2006-04-21 14:03:07

they look electric. make sure they are not before you cover them up - you mustn't cover up electric radiators or you risk setting your room on fire.

personally, i'd go with the paint option that maxwell has already suggested, but make sure you use a radiator paint that can stand the heat - else it will be peeling off pretty swiftly and look worse than it does now.

posted by svea on 2006-04-21 14:25:27

I was thinking about (you) getting built ins made around it with a grill cut into the built ins when I found this pic:
http://tinyurl.com/j9zxk

Not exactly the look I was thinking of but close.

posted by jamie pup on 2006-04-21 14:46:45

those look like primary school radiators. very institutional-looking. I have almost the same ones in my office except the top is flat, not angled. If you had built-ins made, as Maxwell suggests, you could have the front section gridded rather than the top, so the top surface would be useable.

There are also "nicer" register covers available at restoration hardware, you could have something built that has something like that at the top.

I'm sure you'll be happy with anything else.

posted by angelune on 2006-04-21 15:04:44

These might work for the window one, and they have a few different colors:
http://www.radiantwraps.com/style.html

At least dust wouldn't be going straight down inside!

posted by Andree on 2006-04-22 05:21:46

Oops, they're both by the window. The former link for the shorter one, and maybe this for the taller one?
http://www.coverscreen.co.uk/rccontemporary.html

I know that's in the UK, but if you can take the picture to someone local, they could probably make it for you.

posted by Andree on 2006-04-22 05:24:57

Geez, I'm like the plague...uh...as I started closing up a bunch of windows here, I keep finding links that I'd pulled up and forgotten (I have a mind like an aluminum sieve, everything runs right through)...this has shorter and taller ones and it's in the US:
http://www.colorsfurniture.com/radiatorcover/

Okay, really, this time, I'm done.

posted by Andree on 2006-04-22 05:29:23

ooooooooh i know those damn radiotors! i live in the same buildings with the same problem. Whenever I get around to redoing all of the baseboards and removing the awful metal door frames, the rad covers will come too! Don't we all have this same drama! anyways, in the West Elm catalogs, you often see a nice radiator cover. my thoughts are how to create one with doors that open in the front to clean. If you haven't cleaned yours, it's pretty gross. Pretty sure NO ONE had been inside for over 10 years. Oh the things your find. Good luck and would love to see a pic if you do it!
g-in-193

posted by geralyn on 2006-04-23 10:16:53

Hi try www.flamingoradiatorcabinets.net. They have a cabinet called Como which is quite contemporary with a slatted panel that gives a modern feel that they make to your dimensions and will ship flat packed.It also has a front opener to get into the radiator for dust removal and to get to any valves.They also paint it ready to assemble. The only down side is it is a UK based company but they will send.

posted by lesley on 2006-04-29 08:51:36

Hi I build and sell radiator covers on ebay . We can build any style and ship it to your door . We also baet other sites in price hands down

posted by Jim on 2006-09-06 21:26:55

I know this is an old post, but I just came across a custom radiator cover that is modern and simple. I've been hunting around for months and it's the nicest I've seen. It was designed by Green Furniture and Design in NYC.

Here is a link to a photo: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hPHHgo0H2sA/SbtKJ2tKsHI/AAAAAAAAABg/lASOl2XKadU/s1600-h/IMG_0486.JPG

Here is a link to their blog: http://greenefurniture.blogspot.com/

posted by pennylane55 on November 30th 2009 at 11:50pm
view pennylane55's profile