Woven Wood Radiator Cover

Most radiator covers we've encountered are framed in wood, inset with perforated metal screens, and covered in years and years of paint. So it's refreshing to see this handcrafted version in a Japanese-style room...

The screen is made of woven strips of birch veneer. The radiator cover matches the ceiling, as seen in the picture below:

This fine work is the product of German craftsman Harald Welzel.

Comments (13)

Please enlighten me:
This is not a fire hazard because....???

posted by rexrayfan on October 27th 2009 at 3:05pm
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It looks great but I am with rexrayfan--fire hazard?

posted by GreenJessicaA on October 27th 2009 at 3:29pm
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because it's a radiator, not an open flame and it is not hot enough to ignite the wood

posted by flobo on October 27th 2009 at 3:30pm
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I've thrown all kinds of stuff directly on radiators (they're great for drying damp clothes) and they do not burst into flames. In fact, my cat enjoys sleeping on them and he hasn't been singed once.

I think these covers are very attractive compared to the clunkier versions I've seen in New England.

posted by slowdown on October 27th 2009 at 3:40pm
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that is a seriously gorgeous cover and probably fairly easy to recreate given it's made out of veneer.

posted by morning altruist. on October 27th 2009 at 3:41pm
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I love the look of wood radiator covers, but I've heard that the metal ones conduct heat better.

posted by CallDoctorBison on October 27th 2009 at 3:56pm
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Every flammable material has a autoignition temperature at which it will burn even without the introduction of an actual spark or flame. The longer those materials (such as wood) are exposed to a heat source, the lower their autoignition temperature becomes. Therefore, just because something doesn't burn right away, doesn't mean that it is safe over the long haul. That is why you are not supposed to store flamables near your water heater or furnace. Just something to think about.

posted by rexrayfan on October 27th 2009 at 4:11pm
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In that case, I guess I better keep the cat far away from open flames.

posted by slowdown on October 27th 2009 at 5:49pm
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@slowdown, I just had an image of your poor cat settling down in front of the fireplace for the 10,000th time and suddenly combusting due to lowered autoignition temperature brought about by extended exposure. I promise I didn't laugh. Well, maybe a little.

posted by rosenatti on October 27th 2009 at 5:56pm
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I've had an antique Kashmiri wood carved screen in front of a radiator for years - it is an unusual low screen - designed to got in front of a fireplace. So I guess the radiator is no problem.

Don't people know that radiators are places to dry things quickly, in a pinch? Geez...

posted by Taureg on October 27th 2009 at 9:33pm
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The wood traps the heat. And eventually the wood will dry out so badly it becomes a greater fire hazard.

posted by ohjodi on October 27th 2009 at 10:40pm
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I want that as a headboard

posted by megnez on October 28th 2009 at 3:54pm
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I seriously don't think this is as risky as some people are making it out to be. Wooden radiator covers have been around for quite some time. If they were such a fire hazard, would they still be installed in so many contemporary homes?

posted by slowdown on October 28th 2009 at 7:36pm
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