In apartments built by the hands of Soviet workers, as in some modern buildings, cast iron radiators heating. These elements do not always fit the general interior of the room - in this situation, you need to think about how to close the battery with drywall and not reduce the level of heat transfer.
According to the existing housing code and redevelopment rules, heating systems cannot be hidden directly into the wall. But you can close them with an additional wall of alternative material.
How to hang a battery - on drywall and a removable screen
Plasterboard finishing of batteries is more often used - this material allows you to quickly and easily hide the flaw in the room, make appearance more attractive.
markup
How to fix the battery on drywall - marking stage
The markup of the future design is carried out using:
- measuring tool- roulette, ruler, corner;
- descriptive tool- a simple pencil, marker;
- precision tool- building or laser level.
During this step, it is advisable to follow exact dimensions limited to whole centimeters. Millimeters are used only in the case of a particularly precise design, for example, for an established interior project.
Before you sew up the battery with drywall and get rid of its unpleasant appearance, you need to decide which way to terminate the markup:
- the box is simpler and fast method work (only the area of \u200b\u200bthe battery is closed and, literally, 12-20 cm beyond it);
- wall - a more time-consuming method (the wall with the radiator installed is completely sealed; if the heater is installed near the window, slopes must be made).
In terms of the amount of work, the termination of batteries according to the first method is simpler: a smaller amount of material is used and a small number of construction processes are carried out. In the second case, even fewer building processes are used, but more material is used.
box
Radiator box
When constructing a box, the design takes up little space, covering a little more space than the radiator itself. The depth of such a box depends on the width of the heater (most radiators are narrower than radiators with metal plates).
Note! The edges of the structure must protrude at least 10 cm beyond the edge of the radiator - otherwise it will not be possible to install a removable screen on the front side.
Instructions for marking the box:
- Depending on the required position of the structure, a horizontal strip is drawn. If the box hangs, measure the distance from the floor and use the level to draw a marking line. If the structure rests on the floor, there will be 3 lines (two along the edges - depth, one front - the edge of the structure).
- It is necessary to set a corner to the bottom face and draw vertical marks - we achieve a right angle. With the help of the level, we bring the vertical lines to the required size.
- The same marks are marked on the vertical lines, between which a connecting segment is drawn.
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The result should be a square or a rectangle (in the case of resting on the floor - additionally marking the base).
Wall
How to close batteries with drywall - wall device method
After analyzing the room and thinking about how to cover the radiators and pipes with drywall and do it right, the decision to install an alternative wall comes by itself.
The essence of the solution is that together with the radiator, the entire surface to which it is attached is closed. This method is wasteful, since you can get by with small volumes of material by arranging a dotted box. But the wall is the only way to completely hide the heater from the room with your own hands.
For the wall device, the frame is built to the entire height of the room:
- With the help of the level, several vertical lines are drawn on the base for the frame. Step - 60-100 cm. Mandatory lines for profiles in the corners of the room.
- From each vertical line it is necessary to extend to the floor. For this, a corner is used. The depth of the floor lines is equal to the width between the main wall and the alternate.
- Similar to the floor, lines are drawn on the ceiling - of equal depth and strictly parallel.
- The last marking lines are drawn above and below the heater, at a distance of 7-10 cm.
Marking is also carried out on the sides of the radiator - along the perimeter of the device, profiles are needed in which a removable screen will be installed. But to get rid of unnecessary work, you can make basic markings (which are the entire height of the room) directly on the sides of the radiator.
Frame device
Metal frame under the wall
Before you close the heating battery with drywall, decorating the interior of the room with this, you need to arrange a frame. For its construction, metal channel-shaped profiles are used, 60-70 mm wide.
In total, in the process of doing the work you will need:
- profiles - as the main frame;
- screws (40-60 mm) - fastening the structure;
- dowels (40-60 mm) - fastening in the surface;
- scissors for metal - for cuts, if necessary, bending the metal;
- pliers, screwdriver, drill or puncher - an auxiliary tool.
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The profiles that are adjacent to the wall are attached first.
On our site you can watch a lot of videos on the topic of arranging frames for drywall, but the main instruction is as follows:
- a metal profile is attached by either side or center to the marking line;
- a screwdriver leaves a small mark on the wall;
- a puncher makes a recess for the size of the mount;
- a dowel is inserted into the hole made;
- a profile is attached to the prepared place;
- fastening is carried out with a screw.
After attaching the metal to the wall, bastings are made in increments of 15-25 cm. Holes are prepared immediately for the entire profile.
By the described process, all the necessary parts of the frame are attached. In the case of attaching a corner of two elements, you need to cut the necessary parts with metal scissors.
When the parts that are attached to the wall are installed, we move on to the depth of the frame:
- we cut parts of the profiles of the required size;
- we cut both edges of the element at the place of the fold by 4-5 cm;
- we bend the middle down, and cut the sides to the width of the profile channel shelf;
- we attach the segments to the edges of the main long elements at an angle of 90 degrees towards the room.
The last part is connecting the upper and lower short parts, elements.
Note! When constructing a wall covering the battery, long vertical metal elements, so two short ones above and below are not enough - you need at least 4-5 pieces.
The frame in finished form should be a strong structure, not stagger. If the frame staggers, it means that the fastening was not carried out qualitatively, or there are not enough additional short elements.
Read "How to make a frame for drywall - technological steps."
Assembly of the structure
Sheathing batteries with drywall
The most difficult steps in resolving the issue of how to close the radiator with drywall and not deprive the room of heat were left behind. If everything is prepared, installation is a simple procedure.
Drywall fastening is carried out according to the following method:
- a sheet of material is attached to a metal base;
- a descriptive tool marks the place of the cut - this is how the material is marked into the necessary pieces;
- the prepared part is attached to the corresponding part of the frame and fastened with a screw.
Being engaged in the improvement of their own housing, any owner wants to create the most cozy and comfortable design in it. There are a lot of opportunities and nuances that make it possible to realize this task - but there are also a number of difficulties that arise in the process of creating an interior and impede its arrangement. One of these difficulties is associated with the use of cast-iron radiators, the external data of which always violate the measured and laconic interior of the room. To solve this problem, various options for screens and boxes are used to mask unsightly looking heaters. How to close the batteries in the room with your own hands will be discussed in this article. To hide heaters, you can use one of the following methods: The latter method is the most popular among users, due to the ease of installation and the low cost of the materials used. However, a plasterboard box for a radiator cannot be called the best option, since it completely covers the radiators, and if necessary, they will have to be repaired. Before you close the radiators with drywall, you need to carefully examine all the elements of the heating system that will be closed. All pipe and battery connections must be reliable and of high quality. If there are old batteries and pipes in the heating system, it is recommended to replace them before the box is installed. A plasterboard box for masking radiators must meet two important requirements: Before you make a drywall box for a battery, you need to prepare the following set of tools: You will also need certain materials: Before you seal the battery with drywall, you need to purchase such an amount of materials that will be enough to complete the entire scope of work. To guess the materials, it is advisable to have a box diagram on hand and understand how many such boxes will be needed for all radiators in the home. The sequence of work required to equip a masking structure for radiators includes several stages: Each stage of work has its own characteristics - for example, in the process of preparing the base, you need to carefully remove the old coating and eliminate any contamination. If there are certain differences on the base wall, then it must be leveled to perfect condition using gypsum plaster. Also, before you completely hide the radiators with drywall, you should putty the wall, because after installing the box there will be no opportunity to do this work. The design of a masking structure always begins with the choice of its device. So, there are two main types of structures - a plasterboard box and a plasterboard decorative wall, behind which a radiator will be hidden. Each design has its own characteristics and applications. The arrangement of a drywall box makes sense if the radiators are installed on the walls. You can mount such a box very quickly, and it has many other advantages - for example, the free space of a room from such structures almost does not decrease. A drywall box for a battery allows you to close only the battery itself. The dimensions of the box must be selected depending on the size of the battery itself, which will be masked. When choosing, you need to take into account that the edges of the structure should be located at a distance of about 15 cm from each side of the battery. The box can be installed on the floor or attached to the wall, which also needs to be taken into account in advance. The floating box, fixed on the wall, is set as follows: The box installed on the floor must be marked from the top side and all other lines must be taken down. When designing and marking, it must be taken into account that each side of the structure must be at least 15 cm away from the radiator. Floor boxes are optimally suited for hiding radiators that are deepened in wall niches. With a strong desire, at the design stage, you can also consider more complete options for changing the design of housing. For example, a rather interesting and popular option is a solution in which not only radiators are masked, but also other elements of the heating system. To implement such a scheme, false walls made of drywall are used. Of course, the cost of work in this case increases significantly, but if the goal is to create a verified style, then these costs will be justified. The next step, which will allow you to close the battery with drywall, is the installation of a drywall box frame. To assemble the frame, metal profiles with a circus coating are used. The drywall frame for the battery is assembled using the following technology: If all the work was done correctly, then you will get a strong and fairly rigid frame with which you can work further - i.e. engage in its sheathing and the formation of a masking box. The next installation step is cutting drywall sheets into pieces of a suitable size. To sheathe the battery with drywall, you need to attach the cut elements to the frame with self-tapping screws in increments of 15 cm. You need to tighten the screws very carefully - drywall damage may occur at high speed with a screwdriver. In addition, the caps of the fasteners can simply fall into the material and thereby render it unusable. However, if you work carefully, then there will be no problems - it is very easy to interact with drywall. In the equipped box, the outer part will remain empty, inside which the battery will be visible. The formed window is closed with a decorative screen, which ensures the full transfer of heat into the room. First you need to carry out a rough finish, which includes the following operations: The rough finish is complete on this, and you can proceed to the fine finish. For cladding, any materials can be used that do not violate the functionality of the structure and suit the specific chosen visual style. The question of how to hide radiators can have several correct answers. To disguise heating devices, several types of structures are used, each of which has its own characteristics, both functional and visual. The choice of the most suitable option is directly related to the planned design of the room.
Many old apartments and modern houses are equipped with cast iron radiators. Very often, these devices do not fit into the overall interior of an apartment or building. To correct the situation, you need to resolve the issue of how to close the battery with drywall so as not to reduce the degree of heat transfer. According to the redevelopment rules and the housing code, it is forbidden to hide the heating system directly in the wall. It is allowed to make a covering additional wall for them from a suitable material. In most cases, drywall is used to finish the battery. This material makes it possible to hide the lack of space, create a beautiful appearance. Before installation, the markup of the intended design is made. For this, a variety of tools are used, from a simple tape measure to a laser level. When marking the design, you need to make accurate measurements in centimeters. Millimeters are needed if a very precise design is being made, for example, for an existing interior. Before closing the battery with drywall, creating a beautiful appearance, it is necessary to determine what the seal will be, and under this method to do measuring work. The easiest and fastest way is to make a box. This method is used when you need to close up only the battery itself and 20 centimeters beyond it. The most laborious way is the wall. In this case, the entire wall where the radiator is located is completely sealed. For the battery at the window you need to make slopes. The smallest amount of work requires finishing according to the box method. It will take a small amount of material, the construction process consists of several operations. For the second case, building material will require much more. The design of the box requires little space. It simply closes the radiator and a small area next to it. The depth of such a box is calculated based on the existing width of the radiator. Basically, radiators are much narrower than batteries made of metal plates. Creating the interior design of his home, every owner dreams of making it comfortable, attractive and unusual. But there is one caveat - cast-iron batteries that are striking, especially if the apartment is finished in the latest fashion. Consider how to close the battery with drywall yourself. To give the room a modern look, it is enough to build a beautiful drywall screen. It will hide the old and unsightly battery from prying eyes. It is worth noting that the work can be done by hand, and the cost of materials is small. Some ordinary people doubt whether it is possible to close the batteries with drywall. Let's consider this question in detail. There are many ways that help to disguise the heating devices in the apartment, without interfering with maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room. You can order custom-designed radiators, but this method is quite expensive and not available to a wide range of consumers. If the financial capabilities of your family do not allow this, then you can close the radiators with a simple screen. There are several options for such devices: If we consider the last option, then it is the most popular. This is due to the ease of assembly and the inexpensive material used for the construction. But this method cannot be called perfect, since in case of unforeseen breakdowns or leaks, the box will have to be completely dismantled. Before constructing a structure, a thorough inspection of the heating system should be carried out. Check how reliable the joints and connections are. If the pipes are old, then it is better to replace them, the old battery must be replaced if it is unreliable. Only after repairing the heating system in the apartment can work begin on creating a screen for a drywall radiator. There are parameters that a drywall construction must meet to mask a heating battery: Important! Some apartment owners completely cover the batteries with GKL sheets - in no case should this be done. Before starting work, prepare the tool. To build a structure around the battery you will need: Read also How to insulate a loggia with drywall In addition to the tool, the following material is needed: The material must be prepared in the right amount so that you do not have to go to the store to buy more. There are two ways in which you can disguise the heating battery behind a drywall construction: close the radiator with a decorative plasterboard wall or build a regular drywall box around the radiator. The construction of the box is advisable if the radiator is located on the wall. You can do this with your own hands from drywall quickly enough. This method is more preferable, since only the battery is masked, and the usable area is not affected. Whether the box will be hovering or standing on the floor depends on the interior of the apartment and the designer's decision. Once a decision has been made on, surface preparation and marking should begin. For the construction of the structure, the base must be properly prepared. The old coating is cleaned from the surface, dirt and dust are removed, primed. If the wall on which the battery is located has significant irregularities, then it should be made even with gypsum plaster. Then it is desirable to putty the surface, since it will be impossible to do this after the construction of the structure. If it is supposed to make a floating box to mask the battery, then: If a standing one is mounted, then the markup starts from the top edge of the battery, and perpendicular lines are drawn from top to bottom. See how to do it in the photo. In addition, the box is marked on the floor in such a way that the end of the box on the front side protrudes 15 cm relative to the radiator. In some apartments, heating radiators are installed in niches that developers provide under the windows. In this situation, only the second method of constructing the box is suitable. Read also Fastening drywall to wooden slats Some apartment owners want to radically change the interior of their apartment. At the same time, the construction of a false plasterboard wall is allowed, which hides all heating communications, but it is worth noting that this method is more financially costly. The first thing to do in order to close the battery with drywall is to mount the frame. To do this, you need to take metal profiles, galvanized 60x28 and 27x28. First, the elements that will be on the wall are fixed. The algorithm is this: After that, the second level of the frame is mounted. Cut the profile into segments according to the desired length. Cut the edges of the elements by 5 cm, along the fold of the profile. The edges of the profile are cut off, and the middle notched part is bent to the side, fixing the segments at an angle of 90 degrees to the wall profiles In the case of the construction of the structure along the height of the entire wall, the profile step will be 60 cm. The next step is to attach the vertical segments to the front of the structure. Once the frame is ready, you can proceed to its sheathing. Important! The frame, made of a profile for masking a radiator, must be strong and rigid. Cut the GKL into pieces of the desired size. Fasten them to the frame with black self-tapping screws, in 15 cm increments. Self-tapping screws are screwed in very carefully, with a screwdriver at low speed. Make sure that the head of the fastener does not fall into the drywall and does not spoil the material. It is worth noting that working with the material is quite simple. You can equip a corner false fireplace made of drywall, which will heat the room. As soon as a drywall box for the battery is built, a “window” remains in it from which the battery will be visible, it is covered with a decorative screen, it will help warm air to be evenly distributed throughout the room. Rough finishing of the box is carried out according to the following technology: On this, the rough finish of the drywall structure that covers the battery is ready. You can decorate a box that serves to mask a heating radiator with any material: paint, glue wallpaper, finish with decorative plaster. Facing will depend on the overall interior of the apartment and the preferences of the owner of the premises. In many houses and apartments during construction, cast iron batteries old-fashioned, which are not combined with either the decor or the interior, and besides, they are ugly in themselves. But, unfortunately, the residential code categorically prohibits hiding the heating system in the wall. A drywall box will solve this problem, which will help hide the battery inside. You can see photos of examples of such structures below. This material has the following negative qualities: The positive properties of drywall are as follows: Before hiding the battery, it is advisable to remove the old coating from it and repaint it, because after the drywall structure is built, this will become impossible. Meanwhile, the paint will protect the battery from corrosion and will not allow it to deteriorate ahead of time. After the coating is completely dry, the first stage of work begins - marking. In order to make markup, you will need the following tool: When marking, it is advisable to write down the dimensions to the nearest centimeter. Millimeters should be avoided except when implementing a project that requires accurate millimeters when creating a structure. Before starting work, you need to decide on the choice of battery termination option: When marking, it must be remembered that the window sill should protrude at least 3 cm beyond the battery. If it is so narrow that it becomes impossible to fulfill this requirement, then it should be removed and another one installed. The old window sill is dismantled, a new one is cut out in accordance with the required parameters and inserted from below the window frame. Further, using the level, it is leveled with chopsticks. After that, the empty space between it and the base is blown out mounting foam. In order to achieve the most durable fixation, a load is placed on the window sill. After three hours, the foam will harden enough to continue the construction of the drywall structure. The box design takes up very little space. Its area and depth depend on the size of the battery itself. When constructing a box, the minimum indent from its edges should be 10 cm. This is the smallest distance that allows you to install a removable screen on the front of the structure. Stages of drawing markup on the wall: At the end of the markings, a square or rectangle should be marked on the wall, the shape depends on the length of the battery. If the box is on the floor, then its base should be drawn on it. If you want to hide not only the battery itself, but also all the pipes extending from it, then you will have to build a whole plasterboard wall in front of it. Under it, the entire surface on which the heater is attached will completely disappear. This method involves a greater consumption of material than in the previous case. In order to build a wall, a frame structure is constructed from floor to ceiling. For this, the markup is done as follows: On the right and left sides of the battery, lines are also needed for profiles on which a removable screen will be attached. But to save time and effort, it is quite possible to arrange the main lines drawn from floor to ceiling instead.
In order to close the battery with drywall, it is necessary to build a frame on which it will hold. This will require metal profiles with a U-shaped section, 6-7 cm wide. Materials and tools that need to be prepared to complete the task: Installation begins with the fastening of those profiles that are located directly on the wall. This is done as follows: After the profile is attached to the wall surface, the attachment points are marked at intervals of 15-25 cm from each other. Holes for fasteners are prepared immediately for the entire profile. In the same way, all guides adjacent to the wall are fixed. If you need to attach a corner of two elements, then the necessary cuts are made with metal scissors. Now, after the profiles in contact with the wall are installed, proceed to the installation of profiles that provide the depth of the structure: Now it remains only to connect the segments attached at the top and bottom with long profiles. When installing a drywall wall, long vertical profiles are used, in connection with this, two short segments at the top and bottom will not be enough, they will need at least 4-5 pieces. It is unacceptable for the finished frame structure to shake. If this happens, then either the short elements are not enough, or the fasteners are not installed correctly. The most difficult stage in the construction of a wall or box for a drywall battery is to create metal frame. The installation of drywall itself is not difficult. It is carried out in the following sequence: The interval between the screws should be 10-15 cm. Pieces drywall sheet should be cut one at a time and immediately mounted in its place, otherwise it is easy to get confused due to the protruding corners in some places. It is important not to overdo it when screwing screws. If, without calculating the force, they are screwed in too deeply, then the material at the place of their installation will be damaged. A plastic screen with holes for heat penetration is installed in the front plane of the box. Even before the installation of drywall it inner part attached to a metal frame. After the box is completely ready, then its outer part is inserted into the hole for the screen. The finished structure still needs to be prepared for fine finishing. This process includes several steps: The last step is finishing. After its completion, work begins on the design of the box. It is best to decorate it in accordance with the style, interior and color scheme of the entire room.
Battery masking methods
Tools and materials
Drywall box installation technology
Box design
Frame assembly
Installing drywall to close batteries
Box finishing
Conclusion
Some Features
Hinged battery screen 
Necessary tools and material
Installing the battery box Algorithm of actions when creating a box to hide the battery
Which way to apply? It all depends on the layout of the apartment and the location of the heating communications in the room.
The dimensions of the box will depend on the battery to be hidden. It is important to consider that the edges of the box will be about 15 cm further from the battery, from all sides.Step-by-step installation instructions
Foundation preparation
Markup and drawings
Screen frame drawing example Frame collection
box frame Fastening drywall to frame
Heat Hole Installation
Finishing the finished structure
Design options
Advantages and disadvantages of drywall
How to make markup
How to markup when building a box
How to make a markup by building a wall in front of the battery
Profile frame construction
How to sew up a battery with drywall
Finishing the structure
