How can you close heating radiators after repair - everyone is puzzled by this question if you don’t like it appearance batteries. Well, how to close the radiators so that it is beautiful, elegant and at the same time without loss of heat transfer - today we will talk about this.
The principle of operation of any heating batteries is achieved due to the movement of air - cold comes to them from below, and warm rises up. And therefore, it is necessary to properly mount the heating network, ensuring proper convection.
Even the most modern radiators do not have a very attractive appearance, often standing out against a wall pasted over with wallpaper or painted. Another component is child safety: screens covering radiators help prevent burns in babies and protect against injuries.
How to avoid heat loss
To begin with, before determining how to close the radiators, it is worth understanding what is possible and what is not, since any wrong action will lead to a violation of the circulation of warm air and cooling the room.
Firstly, you can not completely close the radiator, even the most modern materials that conduct heat.
Secondly, heat loss also increases when using a continuous lining with a minimum number of holes (for example, a glass screen).
Thirdly, it must be taken into account that warm air rises, and a box or a window sill that is too wide will certainly close this part, which will lead to a deterioration in heat transfer. And no matter what foremen or window sill manufacturers say, perforation does not help to keep warm, simply because there are not enough holes.
A little trick: to increase the amount of warm air entering the room, place a reflective screen made of ordinary foil behind the radiator.
Another option for removing warm air from under the windowsill is to install a special visor that directs warm air out.
The key to good heat dissipation is the use of maximally perforated screens with holes on the sides, below for cold air to enter, and from above for warm air to exit.
How to Close Batteries Safely
Preservation of heat transfer is not the most important, although an important task. No less exciting is the question of the availability of the radiator itself and the pipes suitable for it.
Even the newest radiator can leak, not only because of old pipes or poor quality plumbing. Defective materials, water hammer, the human factor in the form of improper installation - all this can become a problem for residents, both in this apartment and in the room below.
Also, the quality of the water that fills the heating system at home leaves much to be desired, and it may happen that in order to increase heat transfer, the battery will have to be removed and washed, which will become impossible when access is closed.
Therefore, for decorating and closing batteries, it is more practical to use attached or removable structures, without rigid fastening.
Tip: if, as a decor, it is planned to sew the radiator into a plasterboard box with a perforated patch panel, an inspection hatch should be left at the junction of the pipes to the batteries (as in bathrooms) so that you can check for leaks at any time.
How to beautifully decorate radiators
Installing a decorative box for closing heating radiators is not the only solution, and not everyone will be able to come up with something and do it on their own. There are several more ways how and with what to decorate radiators under the window.
Painting radiators
One of the important issues in the design of the room is the combination of colors. Well, how can a white radiator look, for example, on a dark wall? Although for some reason it is white that is considered ideal for batteries ...
The choice of heat-resistant paints on the modern construction market is huge, it remains only to choose the right shade and tint the white base. Even if you don’t guess with a shade of a couple of tones, it’s okay, such a difference seems not at all noticeable. But it will still be better than just white. Well, if you wish, you can also manually paint the batteries, especially if there is an ornament on the wallpaper. To facilitate the work, you can use a stencil.
Remember: if you decide to paint the radiators in the apartment, buy only heat-resistant paints.
By the way, you can paint not only ordinary cast iron radiators, but also steel, and bimetallic, and aluminum.
Another decor option is sewing and attaching a fabric screen-screen. This masking method has been tested and is quite effective in terms of minimum heat loss, since the fabric, even the densest, still passes warm air (unlike a hard screen).
Previously, when heavy curtains were in fashion, they hid behind them all the batteries and the pipes suitable for them. And now, when Roman or roll-curtains that do not reach the floor are widely used, you have to invent something. A practical solution is to fasten Velcro to the bottom of the window sill, and sew the second half of the adhesive tape to the fabric - this way a removable fabric screen is obtained. You can choose the material for it according to your taste and financial possibilities - from a thin curtain, to natural linen or cotton, or vertical stripes of blinds. The only condition is that the fabric can withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees.
Well, having arranged the space under the window in this way, you can already choose roll-curtains or window blinds as protection from the sun, without worrying about the unsightly appearance of the radiators.
Box for heating battery
Most often, such structures are either mounted on the wall, or are attached, facilitating the maintenance of communications. Such boxes are made mainly from MDF, chipboard, wood or plywood. The first option is the most practical, since MDF does not dry out and is not exposed to temperature changes, and it can be given any shape.
A prerequisite for such a design is the presence of perforations (holes), and the larger - the more heat will enter the room. There must be a hole at the bottom for the influx of cold air, and at the top - for the warm air to come out.
As a frame for the box, you can use ordinary wooden bars, and with the skills of a carpenter, you can build a box according to individual sizes: it can be either a design in the entire width of the room, covering both the radiator and pipes, or a box covering only the radiator.
Usually, the installation of a box that hides radiators is accompanied by dusty work, so you need to think over the design and create a sketch at the beginning of the repair. A decorative box can not only hide nondescript radiators that are unnecessary to the eye, but also become an element of interior decoration.
hard screen
The most common (but, unfortunately, not the most practical) solution is to equip a hard screen, hardware stores even offer already turnkey solutions of the most different materials. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages over others.
- metal. For production, as a rule, stainless steel is used with subsequent painting or chrome elements. Such designs look like ordinary mesh boxes. Of course, not every room is suitable for a metal object under the window; the ideal style for such a solution is high-tech or loft. But such a design conducts heat well and will last a long time.
- from wood. Wood has always been considered a win-win option, as it fits into almost any interior. Wooden screens are a structure in the form of wooden lamella panels, horizontal or vertical, located at a sufficient distance from each other. Thanks to good perforation, such a grill does not interfere with proper convection, a wooden screen for a radiator will be a reasonable solution. The only condition is that it must fit perfectly into the environment. This can be achieved by making a custom-made design with tinting for furniture.
- From glass will perfectly fit into the interior of any room. Glass can be either frosted or colored, almost completely covering the radiator, or it can have a pattern that matches the style of the room. However, along with the elegant and airy appearance, there is one huge drawback - heat loss in the absence of perforation will almost double. Even the thermal gap at the top and bottom of the screen does not save the situation. You can improve air circulation by using not solid glass, but glass panels located at some distance from each other.
- From drywall. Of course, we are talking, rather, about drywall as the basis of the screen itself, and with the help of other materials, you can make a decorative overlay panel that closes the batteries flush with the box itself. When installing this design, you need to remember all the laws of heat engineering and safety, leaving access to communications in case of leakage or the need to replace batteries.
metal screen for radiator 
With the help of a wooden lattice, you can close the battery 
Mounting the radiator in the wall
This option is possible only at the construction stage or overhaul because of the many dusty and dirty jobs. All pipes suitable for the radiator are sewn into the wall, leaving only small areas for connecting radiators. By the way, they can also be sewn into the wall, leaving a hole for convection, which is closed with a decorative grille. Such a solution is not without drawbacks: in addition to reducing the usable area of the room itself, heat loss inevitably follows, however, all this is compensated by an elegant and beautiful appearance. If such heating is not enough, then you will have to take care of warm floors as an additional source of heat.
How to make a drywall box to mask radiators - step by step instructions
Since such solutions are becoming more and more popular and universal, let's dwell on the question of how to make a drywall screen with your own hands. To arrange the structure, we need the following materials and tools:
- Drywall sheet of the required size and thickness (it is better to take no thinner than 10 mm);
- UD and CD profile;
- Galvanized sheet or foil sheet for thermal insulation of the wall behind the radiator;
- Construction PVA glue;
- Screwdriver;
- Self-tapping screws for metal;
- Pencil;
- Stationery or construction knife;
- Scissors for metal;
- Sandpaper fine and medium grit;
- Construction level;
- Decorative overhead grille.
Work on the installation of the box begins with preparatory work. Firstly, we need to process the drywall sheet itself a couple of times with PVA glue - this will give the sheet resistance to moisture and temperature changes, the gypsum will not dry out and crumble. Secondly, you need to make all the necessary measurements and mark the future box on the wall with a pencil.
Build the frame of the future box from a metal profile. Use a building level and a window sill when working - so that the structure is not skewed.
Cut out a screen from a galvanized sheet and fix it behind the radiator - this technique will allow the heat not to go into the wall, but to direct it into the room.
Attention! The lower part of the box must be left open for the flow of cold air.
Sew up the sides of the box with drywall. In principle, this can be stopped if the size of the lattice matches the size of the box. But we will also sew the front part around the perimeter. Putty and paint the finished box. From above you can fix a beautiful grille.
You can buy a ready-made grille for masking a radiator, or you can make it yourself from a picture baguette or door trim, cut down at an angle of 45 degrees. The center of the decorative grille can be made from non-combustible fabric, rattan or metal mesh.
In general, the appearance of the box depends only on your imagination and financial capabilities.
How to close heating pipes
All communications suitable for radiators also often have an unflattering appearance and the ability to stand out on a painted or wallpapered wall. If it is not planned to decorate the window with curtains that cover all the pipes, then the question certainly arises: how and with what to close the pipes, or at least disguise them?
The first way, which suggests itself due to its simplicity, is to paint the pipes in the color of the walls. Of course, in this way they will still remain visible, but will be less noticeable. You also need to buy radiator, heat-resistant paint and tint it in the desired color.
It is possible to hide behind a box or sew pipes into a wall only after they have been completely replaced in order to avoid leaks and flooding of neighbors. The pipe box is made in the same way as the drywall box for radiators is mounted (see above). Subsequently, it can be painted or pasted over with the same wallpaper as the whole room.
You can try to decorate the pipes, for example, by wrapping them with a jute cord or twine. However, this option will reduce heat transfer and is not suitable for every style of room.
If the pipes suitable for the radiator itself pass from below, then they can be hidden under the floor plinth. But with a riser, this will not work.
Well, now, as promised, we present a photo selection of beautiful and original screens for the radiator.
In any case, no matter which method you choose, it is possible to hide the heating radiator, it all depends on your imagination, the availability of free time and the desire to change something. However, it is not worth thinking about how to hide pipes and radiators when it comes to old houses and poorly heated apartments, as this will inevitably lead to a deterioration in heat transfer.
No matter how modern the batteries are, they rarely fit perfectly into the interior, which does not benefit the appearance of the apartment. Let's see how you can decorate or hide the battery to improve the situation.
Hide behind the screen
The easiest way is to hide the battery behind a special screen, which can be made from different materials (wood, metal, plastic and even glass) and made in different styles. Glass screens can be decorated with photo printing, which will further unite the battery with the interior of the room. The main condition is that the screen surface must be completely perforated or at least have large holes at the top, bottom and sides, allowing warm air to circulate freely.
The screen covers only the battery itself or the niche with the battery completely, which is typical for houses of old buildings; it can do it yourself by buying any grate or panel with holes of a suitable size at a hardware store.
Photos: grishaenkova.ru, pricedv.ru, jacekpartyka.com, home-designing.com, bertibarbera.com, furnirior.com, pinterest.com, ofdesign.net
Batteries in the house are far from the element that you want to see naked. Of course, each battery is usually hidden by a special panel. However, is this approach sufficient? If not, then you can do something for this yourself. This review has collected almost two dozen great ideas on this subject.
1. Pallet
A carefully cleaned and light-colored pallet can make an excellent screen for a radiator, and wooden plank, nailed on top, will also allow you to get an additional shelf for flowers and decor items.
2. Bookcase
A large cabinet with bookshelves at the top and an inconspicuous lattice battery screen at the bottom is a perfect example of how you can hide an unsightly battery while adding extra storage.
3. Bench
A small bench, built around a radiator, will be a stylish detail of the bedroom interior and a cozy place to read.
4. Under the table
The space above the radiator in the kitchen can be used to create a wonderful dining area with a wide window sill that acts as a table and many drawers on the sides.
5. Bamboo
Wonderful wide screen for the radiator, covered with an original bamboo grill, which will not only hide an unsightly piece of furniture, but also become a practical bedside table.
6. Console
From durable wood and aluminum plates, you can build a reliable screen for a heating battery, which is also suitable for storing various small things and will become a functional part of the hallway.
7. Eco style
A modern light wood curtain screen will not only disguise an old radiator, but also become a stylish detail of a modern interior.
8. Shelf
Radiator shield built into the long modern shelf - practical solution, which will allow you to hide an annoying object and get additional storage space for various little things.
9. Modern solution
A bright screen made of perforated metal will help hide an ugly radiator and become a spectacular detail of a modern interior.
10. Textile
An elegant textile screen will perfectly fit into the interior of a classic living room and will allow you to get an additional shelf for placing indoor plants and small decorative items.
11. False fireplace
Cardboard or drywall can be used to create a charming false fireplace that will not only cover the radiator, but also become a cozy detail in a modern living room.
12. Sofa
A cozy sofa that can be built from drywall by the window above the radiator will help to disguise the old battery.
13. Stylish design
A decorative radiator box will kill two birds with one stone: hide the old battery and get a stylish shelf for decor items.
14. Folding table
A small folding table placed above the heating radiator will be an ingenious solution for owners small apartments, because with its help it will be possible not only to hide an unsightly detail, but also to acquire a fairly spacious dining area.
15. Cabinet
A wonderful screen for the battery, made in the form of a stylish wooden pedestal, will fit into the interior of any modern space and remove an unsightly piece of furniture from your eyes.
16. One whole
A wonderful translucent screen connected to the head of the bed will help cover the radiator and get a charming bedside table.
17. Curtain
The original fabric curtain attached to the windowsill is the simplest and most affordable way hide the radiator. In addition, such a "Screen" can be replaced with a new one at any time, simply by purchasing another fabric.
18. Storage system
An original and capacious storage system attached to the windowsill will allow you to hide the old battery and get a lot of boxes for storing all sorts of things.
Video bonus:
Continuing the theme that everyone will like.
On such frosty winter days as now, heating saves our houses and apartments. Therefore, the presence heating radiators in dwellings - this is undoubtedly a plus. But often batteries become a stumbling block when you want to decorate a room beautifully.
So where to put the hated batteries? After all, no matter how modern they are, the appearance of the rooms, alas, still deteriorates because of them ...
The problem with the design of radiators is especially relevant in children's rooms and rooms where children often play, not only for aesthetic reasons, but also because kids run a lot and can hit the battery.
If modern radiators have such an appearance that they can easily fit into a high-tech or minimalist room, then Soviet cast-iron batteries look quite depressing. Therefore it is necessary disguise the battery so that it was not visible, but did not stop warming us in the cold.
How to hide the battery
Editorial "So simple!" prepared for you 14 practical ways how can hide the nondescript radiator and at the same time transform the interior. Now, looking at the batteries in the house, I get aesthetic pleasure!
- The easiest way is to paint the battery. Use a special paint that is resistant to high temperatures for this. The color must be selected to match the interior of the room. This option is best applied to modern aluminum batteries. Painted cast iron products will stand out strongly.
But if you decorate them with various patterns - a completely different matter! This is especially true in the children's room or in the kitchen. If artistic skills are completely absent, you can use special stencils.
- Very original idea! To implement it, you must have several skeins of twine, 3 hours of time and perseverance.
- You can close the heating battery with a cotton curtain. This option is only suitable for products installed in a niche.
You can attach the curtain to the window sill with Velcro, the fabric should be matched to the tone of the wallpaper. Blinds can be used as an alternative.
- And this idea is just 2 in 1! We hide the batteries and get a new place for reading or pleasant gatherings.
- And you can hide them under special bars or perforated screens. These devices are made from various materials have a variety of shapes and designs.
- Thanks to the screens, the battery can be used as an additional resting place, as a shelf or stand for decorative elements.
- How about this way?
- Screens made of thick glass will successfully cover an unsightly battery. Such products look beautiful and very stylish.
However, glass screens cover only outside batteries. They are fixed using screw holders with elastic protective gaskets.
- One more interesting idea- bedside table with lattice doors. Practical and convenient, right?
- You can hide the radiators with the help of hinged grilles. Most often, these products are used for cast iron batteries located in a niche under the windowsill. And a nice bonus is that everyone can handle the installation. All that is required is to hang the structure on the heater.
- Great idea for a kid's room!
- Please note that the choice of material from which the screen will be made must be approached no less scrupulously than the design of the product itself. After all, the material must be resistant to high temperatures.
- Another great idea: a battery hidden in a box with a perforated panel. Stylish and tasteful!
- And finally decoupage. Using ordinary napkins and PVA glue, you can also decorate the heater. It is easy to do it yourself, special skills and expensive materials are not required.
It is enough to pick up napkins to match, cut out the necessary elements and paste over the radiator with them. On top, you can apply a special heat-resistant varnish.
The radiator as an element of the heating system does not always meet the aesthetic expectations of the owners of the house or apartment. Many people want to decorate such structures, smoothing out their effect on the interior as a whole. However, before you close the battery, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons, because an improperly installed design can significantly reduce heat transfer.
decoration
The battery may or may not be covered. There are several alternative ways to hide radiators if they don't fit into the interior.
Painting
It is enough during the repair to remove the old coating and repaint the surface. To do this, use a special paint that is resistant to high temperatures. The color must be selected to match the interior of the room. True, this option is best used with modern aluminum batteries. Painted cast iron products will stand out strongly.
It is not necessary to make the radiators plain, they can be decorated with various patterns. This is especially true in the children's room or in the kitchen. If artistic skills are completely absent, you can use special stencils.
Curtain
You can close the heating battery with a cotton curtain. True, this option is only suitable for products installed in a niche. You can attach the curtain to the window sill with Velcro, the fabric should be matched to match the wallpaper. Blinds can be used as an alternative.
Decoupage
Using ordinary napkins and PVA glue, you can also decorate the heater. This is easy to do with your own hands, special skills and expensive materials are not required. It is enough to pick up napkins to match, cut out the necessary elements and glue the radiator with them. On top, you can apply a special heat-resistant varnish.
Screens
If the decoration of heating devices for some reason does not suit you, you can hide them under special grilles or perforated screens. Such devices are made from a variety of materials, have a variety of shapes and designs.
When choosing a screen, it is worth remembering that the better the perforation is, the more heat from the radiator will enter the room. Blind side and top bars seriously reduce battery efficiency.
glass
Screens made of thick glass will successfully hide the heater. You can purchase options with photo printing or whole glass paintings, such products look beautiful and very stylish. Glass screens only cover the outside of the battery. Fastened with screw holders with elastic protective pads.
Mounted
You can hide the radiators with the help of hinged grilles. Most often, such products are used for those located in a niche under the windowsill. Everyone will also cope with the installation - you just need to hang the structure on the heater.
Wooden
Best suited for rooms with classic design. In addition, wood products can be used as a stand. However, there is a drawback to such a screen. It consists in a short shelf life of products. Alas, a tree, regardless of quality, sooner or later deforms under the influence of high temperature and just dry out.
What can you do yourself?
Now there are many opportunities to design screens for heating appliances with your own hands. The easiest way is to close the radiator with drywall. This versatile option is suitable for any room, from the living room to the kitchen.
Necessary materials and tools
- pencil and tape measure;
- perforator and screwdriver;
- metal scissors and a clerical knife;
- level, stapler, sandpaper;
- self-tapping screws;
- drywall, UD and CD profiles;
- lattice.
frame
In order to close the radiator with drywall, you need to make a frame. To do this, the UD guide profiles are fixed with self-tapping screws to the underside of the window sill, walls and floor. The front edge of the resulting frame is deepened by 13 mm, so that after plasterboard sheathing, the surface of the screen coincides with the wall.
Then CD profiles are screwed vertically, and the distance between them should be slightly more sizes gratings.
sheathing
Using a knife, blanks are cut out of a drywall sheet the right sizes. Then drywall is screwed to the frame with self-tapping screws. Screw heads should not be deeply recessed, otherwise the sheet may break and the structure will not be securely fastened. At the last stage, a decorative grille is fixed.
Drywall constructions fit perfectly into the interior, but significantly reduce Radiator efficiency. The small space for warm air to flow makes convection difficult. Therefore, when choosing a screen or decorative design, you need to find a balance between aesthetics and a minimum decrease in heat transfer from the radiator.
