Aesthetics or warmth? The screen for the heating radiator will help to successfully solve both problems

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Most apartment owners are owners of old-style heating batteries, which perfectly cope with their function, but have an unpresentable appearance. A screen on the heating radiator will help solve the problem; it will not only hide the unsightly radiator from view, but will also become an important detail of the room’s interior and at the same time perform a protective function for the owners of the room.

Special screens will help radically transform the appearance of a heating radiator

What tasks does the screen for a heating radiator perform?

First of all, the task of the radiator grille is to protect your household from accidental injury from the sharp edges of the battery or burns from its surface. This is especially true in families with children. No matter how much you want, you will not be able to control every step of the little fidget, but at least you will be confident in his safety.

The second, important aspect is the decorative design. Radiators only fit organically into a loft. In this case, it is appropriate to leave them in sight. But in all other types of design, batteries only get in the way. That is why interior artists prefer to use various kinds of decorative panels to hide modern communications.

The screen is selected in accordance with the design of the room

Battery grilles can increase the efficiency of the device. Metal screens act as an additional heating area. If you equip the box with a reflective screen and a ventilation system, you can achieve impressive results. Finally, the screen on the radiator prevents dust and dirt from entering the device and helps to quickly and efficiently do wet cleaning.

Installation features

The instructions for fixing the grille indicate that the product must be fastened in such a way that you can quickly access the pipes. This is necessary at a minimum for cleaning and cleaning the frame from dust

This is also important when there is an impulse. It is better to take mounted and attached structures

They can be quickly removed and put back.

Difficulties arise when installing the closing box. It needs to be mounted on the wall using two strips. One is on the structure, and the second is in the wall. It is better to bevel the top edge towards the grille, then this part will act as a lock, allowing you to remove the trim in a few minutes.

Materials for the manufacture of grilles for radiators

Take your time to make a choice: the efficiency of the heating system largely depends on the grate material. Modern manufacturers offer a large selection of decorative panels made of natural wood, metal, MDF, glass and even leather. Let's look at what these screens are.

Metal panels

If we talk about the size of the offer, then you will find metal grilles in almost every heating equipment store. They are made of thin-sheet steel and coated with powder enamel. Most often white. White is, of course, a universal color, but we must admit that it does not suit every interior.

The good thing about a metal panel is that it heats up quickly and releases heat into the room. This is the main and, perhaps, the only advantage of such screens. Separately, it is worth mentioning the forged masterpieces.

There are such luxurious openwork panels that they can be safely called works of art

A perforated sheet is usually placed under such forging so that the batteries do not show through.

Openwork carved wood

Wood is a plastic and environmentally friendly material for making home furniture. Craftsman wood carvers offer panels with patterns and grids, exquisite frames and three-dimensional figures. The undoubted advantage of wood is the absence of toxic emissions.

If the room has wooden furniture, the panels will fit well into the interior

When choosing such panels, you need to pay attention to the protective treatment and resistance of the rock to temperature changes. Hardwoods behave best in this regard: beech, oak, hornbeam. Screens made from ordinary pine are also suitable; they are attractive due to their low cost.

For an exotic design, you can find rattan or bamboo grilles

Plastic gratings

Plastic is chosen for rooms with high humidity. It will fit well into the design of the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen. For the manufacture of screens, a material that is resistant to elevated temperatures is used. This plastic is not afraid of heating up to +80°C. Sloping grille slats direct air downward, increasing the efficiency of the radiators. You can also find panels with decorative perforations.

The advantage of such screens is ease of cleaning. The panels can simply be wiped with a damp cloth

What is important when choosing plastic gratings? Pay attention to the country of origin and pay special attention to the technical characteristics of products from China. They are usually made of low quality plastic. It may not withstand heat, become deformed and even melt. Experts do not recommend installing such products in children's rooms, as they can release toxic compounds when heated.

Glass screens

Glass decorative screens for heating radiators appeared relatively recently, but the demand for them is steadily growing. From a practical point of view, such panels are not the best choice. They block air access to the radiator, and this disrupts the operation of the heating system.

But from an aesthetic point of view, thick tempered glass with a matte surface and pattern is very attractive. The laminated surface does not scratch or break; the corners of the panel are rounded and sanded. This screen can be washed with any window cleaning solution.

If this idea suits your interior design, you can order glass panels with photo printing, stained glass, engraving, etching or hand painting

Expert's point of view

Andrey Starpovsky

Head of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Group, GRAST LLC

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“Glass screens are not cheap, and they need to be handled with extreme care. It’s clear that you shouldn’t install such structures in a child’s room - a successful goal will cost you a lot.”

MDF and HDF panels

Laminated MDF is manufactured using modern technology without the use of synthetic glue and resin. HDF panels are also glued together using high pressure pressing. HDF material has a small thickness - only a few millimeters. HDF gratings are not afraid of high temperatures and do not deform.

Such decorative elements are allowed to be used in children's and medical institutions

Now a new finishing material has appeared on sale - Riflix. These are woven wood veneer panels. In general, it can be noted that MDF, HDF and Riflix are modern, durable and environmentally friendly panels with excellent performance characteristics and an affordable price.

Related article:

From this article you can learn about MDF: what it is , important characteristics of this material, its advantages compared to alternative options and much other useful information.

Fabric decoration

You can hide radiators with fabric curtains. This design will organically fit into the interior in Provence, shabby chic, and country styles. In this case, the fabric is selected to match the main curtains, and ruffles, pleats or flounces are used in the design.

Another original idea is to use fabric stretched over a frame with a print that repeats the pattern on the wallpaper.

You can also use contrasting colors that match the style of the room. If you use curtains as a screen, they can be washed periodically.

Leather screen

This type of decorative design of radiators is a special chic. Leather products are easy to clean, they are resistant to mechanical stress and look very stylish.

The basis of such a lattice is MDF. Artificial or natural leather is stretched over it.

Thanks to this base, the material does not deform under high temperatures.

Types of radiator grilles for batteries and mounting methods

Radiator panels can have different designs. Which one to choose depends on the location of the heating device and the designer’s ideas. There are three main types of screens:

• hinged, without walls on the sides;
• hinged with lid;
• box with side walls.

Important! In the children's room it is recommended to install protective screens with side walls.

Decorative screens for flat and hinged batteries

Hanging panels do not require any special installation skills. They simply slide onto the radiator. The design of the hanging grilles allows air to circulate freely around the heating device. Perforated metal panels themselves heat up from the battery and radiate heat into the room. For safe operation, such screens have rounded corners. To hide the piping, the main screen has side panels on two or one side. Flat screens are used for installation in niches or openings. They are secured with bolts, screws or glue. The gratings can be completely flat or convex.

The model is selected depending on the position of the radiator in the niche

Plasterboard box for heating radiator

Plasterboard boxes are a popular option for decorating heating appliances. The gypsum mixture is resistant to heat, and the material itself is relatively inexpensive. A home craftsman can install a gypsum board box; it’s not difficult. You can decorate such a decorative panel in any way suitable for your interior.

But take into account some features of plasterboard boxes:

• plasterboard is fragile, it can be accidentally damaged both during installation and during operation;
• gypsum board reacts poorly to high humidity and cannot be used in the bathroom.

Related article:

Drywall: sheet sizes, thickness and price. From a separate publication you will learn about the types and production of gypsum boards, technical characteristics, prices and manufacturers.

Video: how to install a plasterboard screen in video material

Metal

Metal has increased thermal conductivity, but you need to know how to work with it. This is an excellent material for homemade construction. Two types of products can be made from it: stamped and welded.

Stainless steel dampers look more elegant and beautiful. They can cover either part of the battery or the entire radiator. They are divided into 3 types: with two sidewalls, with one and without sidewalls. The choice of option depends on the method of connecting the heating device.

The metal element does not interfere with high-quality heat transfer. The box, made of aluminum or steel mesh, perfectly transmits heat. Such products are very easy to install. They are decorated with various designs. For example, an openwork lattice or a solid canvas with open space.

Methods for attaching decorative radiator grilles

It is convenient if the screen on the heating device can be removed if necessary. This makes it easier to clean the panel and the radiator underneath. Traditionally, the screen consists of a frame and a flat panel. The frame is attached to the wall, and the grille is installed on the frame using latches or “tendrils.”

How to assemble a grille with side panels:

Correct size calculation

In order for projection to be successful, you need to correctly determine the distance from the projector to the screen on the entire wall, and also take into account the viewing angle of the audience.

Your future do-it-yourself projector screen, for example, from a banner, should be located from the first row with the audience about twice as far as the size of the screen itself. For example, the height of the surface is 1.5 m, which means that the audience sits at a distance of at least 3 meters from it. This is the distance that will be comfortable for reading and perceiving any information, for example, graphs or text.

It's important to consider how far your screen will be from the floor so that back row viewers can also easily view images from the video projector. There must be at least 1.2 m below the bottom edge of the projection surface

There must be at least 1.2 m below the bottom edge of the projection surface.

How to choose the right screen for a radiator

When choosing a decorative panel, pay attention to the following points:

• if you are selecting screens for cast iron batteries, make sure that there is free access to the taps for regular washing;
• the screen should not obstruct access to the temperature control levers;
• the screen should be easily removable so that in the event of an emergency leak the problem can be easily detected;
• the decorative panel should not interfere with heat exchange processes. Air flows should rise upward from the radiator, and cold air should come from below;
• The screen material should not be deformed when heated; it should not contain toxic compounds that are released under the influence of high temperatures.

Plastic products

Where are they used? In shopping and sports complexes, cafes, bars, entertainment centers and other non-residential premises.

Main advantages: low cost, practicality, ease of maintenance, possibility of execution in any color, with airbrushing and even 3D drawings.

Cons: after 5 years, plastic products lose their shape and need to be replaced. Especially budget options melt when heated and release harmful substances.

Price* : from 199 rub.

What advantages of screens are your top priority, and what disadvantages are you willing to turn a blind eye to? Having decided on this, you will understand: what material model is more preferable for you. All that remains is to choose the most suitable design.

How to improve the heat transfer of a battery screen with your own hands

The main problem in installing decorative panels is that natural convection is disrupted. Any grille, even with large perforations, prevents air from freely penetrating to the radiator.

If the panel also has a countertop, hot air accumulates under it, and the heating device, as a result, heats the outer wall of the building more than the interior of the room.

Heat loss when installing a screen can be up to 25%. What can be done in this situation? The first thing is to install a reflective film on the outer wall behind the battery. The second is to paint the inside of the screen black so that it absorbs heat from the battery, heats up and releases thermal energy into the room. And finally, you can improve convection using a simple device that you can easily make with your own hands:

This simple mechanism will increase the efficiency of the heating device several times.

Installation of a metal box - step-by-step instructions

The method of fixation and design of the decorative screen should provide easy access to the battery for its maintenance and prompt resolution of emergency situations. An attached or hinged metal screen has similar qualities.

Table 2. Step-by-step instructions for installing a metal box.

How much does it cost to buy a metal screen for a radiator?

Metal screens are a popular product. To give you an idea of ​​the cost of such products, we have selected for you photos and prices for rating models of screens for heating batteries according to Yandex.Market:

Related article:

Which heating radiators are best for an apartment? The price of the product is not the only selection criterion. Here it is important to think through everything to the smallest detail - from the aesthetic component to practicality and economy. We'll talk about this in the article.

Possibility of an alternative

If the budget does not allow, or there is no desire to choose a new interior detail, which, in any case, will require additional care efforts, the best replacement for the screen may be decorating the heating radiator itself.

The simplest method is painting with ordinary oil paint. At the same time, to achieve a camouflage effect, you can fit the battery, pipes and adjacent wall into a single pattern.

A standard radiator is a convenient object for realizing creative potential in your favorite style: it can be covered with a chintz pattern or a painting using decoupage and acrylic paints, or simply “aged” to match the loft style.

Gallery of author's works: decorative grilles for heating radiators

Concluding the topic of decorating heating devices, we cannot help but introduce you to the unique works of designers that can serve as inspiration for you.

If you have useful experience or comments on this topic, write in the comments! Your information may prove invaluable to magazine readers!

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Purpose

A heating radiator is an exclusively functional, “technical” item. As a rule, manufacturers do not even think about its aesthetics. In this regard, in an interior with a refined, non-standard design, open heating devices do not look the best. In this case, a radiator grille is the ideal solution. With its help, you will be able to accomplish several tasks simultaneously:

highlight your refined taste; close the radiators, decorating them in the style of the interior; ensure safe use of the heating device - the protective grille on the heating radiator will make direct access to the heating device impossible

This is especially important if there are children in the house - if the radiators are closed, it will be impossible to get burned on them.