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