Heating batteries installed a long time ago do not have an attractive appearance. Modern design Such units will help eliminate the problem of an unaesthetic appearance of the radiator.
Element importance
The radiator grille is needed to add sophistication to the interior, but the screen on the battery should not reduce heat transfer. It is believed that even the most delicate and delicate radiator grille still reduces the amount of thermal energy transmitted by the radiator. It is unlikely that a beautifully decorated, but cold room will be comfortable, so choosing a decorative grill option is an important aspect.
The main method of heating from a radiator is that the heat must move from below, and then go up along the radiator. Most heating systems operate on this principle, so the chosen radiator decor should not interfere with classical circulation.
If the screens are perfectly selected and installed correctly, they will not only provide a good appearance to the room, but will also direct heat in the right directions. Therefore, radiator grilles sometimes contribute to better efficiency of the heating elements.
The importance of the element also lies in the fact that it plays the role of protection against overheated radiators. Touching hot devices is unsafe for small children - this is a positive argument in favor of using decors of this kind.
Cast iron radiators are often considered inappropriate in rooms. The screen for cast iron batteries is most often used. A way to replace old cast iron heating devices with beautiful ones modern options considered the most difficult. The task is greatly simplified with the use of a shielding device or protective box.
There are many companies that manufacture screens. The number of different elements is also multifaceted. Many people are trying to make exclusive manual options products yourself.
In handicraft devices, the manufacturability of the process is not taken into account, so the products often turn into an obstacle to the passage of warm air.
An unsuccessful option will contribute to the accumulation of air inside - as a result, heat will return to the heating system.
In addition, a handicraft product is unlikely to be made from the optimal material, while dozens of varieties of factory products differ not only in shape, but also in the material of manufacture, which will provide good conditions for a particular room.
Craftsmen are trying to reduce heat loss using heat-reflecting film. It is recommended to glue it to the front of the screen inside the panels.
The importance of installing screens on radiators can be summarized with the following points:
- hide radiators that spoil the design of the room;
- play the role of additional decorative element, so it is important to select appropriate materials;
- protect batteries from debris getting into them, so it is necessary to provide the exact dimensions of the screen;
- are protection for children from burns and injuries, especially if the batteries are cast iron.
Design
Screen design is an important factor. But so that the selected option does not reduce the functions of the radiator battery, Some conditions should be taken into account:
- the facing base must conduct heat well;
- infrared rays should not remain in a closed space, but should effectively go into the room;
- the internal surface of the structure should be dark, since heat absorption and heat transfer in this case will be better;
- the color of the outside does not affect the quality of heat transfer - you can choose the shade that best suits the interior of the room;
- A special screen with foil will facilitate the high-quality redirection of heat inside.
This accessory part includes foam insulation. This element prevents heating external wall at the radiator mounting points. Without heat redirection, heat transfer decreases in some designs it is very significant. It is advisable to place heat-reflective pads on the wall itself, behind the radiator. Decorative grilles are mounted in front of the battery.
From an efficiency and design point of view, a solid panel with small ventilation holes below and above.
Small holes in such a hinged casing will limit the flow of convection currents. If this protection option is installed, heat loss will increase, which means the cost of heating the medium to heat the room.
An accordion protective frame would be an acceptable, but also not very impressive option.. Although it is made of wide slats, it is closed on top and sides with wide shelves. There will be good heat transfer only on one side - direct infrared rays will not help block the cold that comes from the window.
From a design point of view, the model looks aesthetically pleasing if it is made of wood. The upper part of the shelf is convenient for placing indoor flowers. But the grille option is no better due to the poorly organized flow of warm air.
The optimal radiator screen is one that will both direct heat upward and distribute it into the holes around the edges. As a result, the cold from the window will be blocked, and the flows passing through the directed slots will heat the room.
Sometimes radiator grille options are complemented with a visor-shaped design. It is convenient when the radiator is located under the window sill. A narrow steel strip or MDF option will prevent heat from accumulating and redirect it inside.
Another spectacular improvement is the thermal injection device. It helps to redirect the heat that accumulates between the installed decor and the device. The effect of the device is especially noticeable when the devices operate in winter mode.
The ideal element grid includes the following enhancements:
- thermal insulation made of foil fixed from the inside;
- special visor on top;
- special devices installed on the sides;
- carved grilles with large perforations in the form of a front panel.
The design properties of screens and grilles are related to their structural features.
Some types can be distinguished:
- Box. It is used when you need to close, in addition to the radiator, also pipes.
- Hinged screen with top visor. It will perfectly camouflage a battery that does not have a window sill above it, if the radiators are not recessed into a niche.
- Hinged open screen needed for radiators that are installed in the wall or located under the window.
- Flat gratings needed for radiators that are located inside niches or simply mounted in the wall.
Flat individual options on legs will decorate the radiator located under the window sill. They are usually decorated in the same style as the interior. The resulting appearance is similar to a regular screen.
Mounted options mounted on protruding batteries usually include two surfaces that are located on top and on the front of the battery. In this case, the side parts of the radiator remain free. The outer carved part of the hinged lid is usually matched to the overall design of the room in the same way as in the first option. The upper part is quite often used as a tabletop.
The box is an imitation of a cabinet. Its additional surface is a convenient option for placing various decorative items. Often such boxes are made to imitate a fireplace.
Removable collapsible screens look interesting. Such designs will provide better access to the battery in the event of an accident. It will also be easier to clean under the battery. If it is located in a private house, then in the summer it needs to be drained of water, and by the winter season it must be filled with liquid again. It is easier to drain the media if the screen design is collapsible.
The design of grilles and screens depends largely on the bases used.
To choose the most suitable look in terms of decor and quality, you need to understand in more detail the features of the products, since the heating temperature and resistance of materials to constant heat are different. Sometimes users pay attention to environmental safety species.
Materials
Grates for a cast iron battery are made from different materials. The most popular options are inexpensive metal devices. Typically, they are made from thin sheet steel, onto which paint is applied. Service life is closely related to the quality of painting.
Products coated with powder enamel have a longer service life. This type of painting does not suffer from exposure to constant heat and does not change color from being near a hot battery. From a physics point of view, such a product has a positive effect on heating.
The metal grill gets hot quickly, then gives off heat. If there is good perforation, this device will not affect the heat reduction.
Forged grilles are especially beautiful. Such elements are distinguished by significant openwork, so a contrasting background barrier is usually made for them.
To ensure that air circulation remains normal, choose for the background structure metal sheets with fine perforation.
Forged elements are, of course, beautiful, but they are quite expensive, so many home owners are considering the option wooden gratings and screens. The wood is beautiful and mostly premium basics. The product is plastic, allowing you to implement various styles and shapes of devices.
However, when choosing a wooden box, many people forget about perforation, which is also needed on the sides of the product. It is missing in these options. A radiator closed on the sides will deprive the room of heat, and thanks to the properties of wood, it accumulates well inside the box.
MDF and HDF panels are laminated sheets that are considered safe to use, therefore they are often used in children's and bedrooms. The bases are compressed fibrous parts of wood. When spinning fibers, a natural binding agent called lignin is used.
MDF material is well known to consumers for a long time due to its quality characteristics. HDF panels differ in the pressing method. The increased pressure used on the lines makes the sheets thinner, but denser and more uniform. HDF holds its shape better than MDF. Thin HDF sheets practically do not retain heat from the batteries, so they are considered the best option.
Plastic screens are most often used for plumbing purposes or in the kitchen. PVC products are hygienic and suitable for frequent washing.
If the lamellas are inclined, then this addition will not degrade the quality of the heating devices. At the same time, it is in vain that many users are afraid to install plastic screens due to excessive overheating.
In the manufacture of modern screens, heat-resistant plastic is used, which does not respond to heating up to 80 degrees. When installing plastic screens, heating devices can lose quality only if the plastic screen has a lid and solid side walls.
Glass screens appeared on sale not so long ago. They are beautiful in appearance, but ineffective, from a physics point of view. Typically, special tempered glass is used in the production of glass panels. The screens are made matte, with a pattern applied to the surface. There are also white options, which are often used in plumbing rooms if plastic version for some reason it doesn't fit.
Recently, they have gone on sale radiator grilles made from exotic materials such as bamboo and rattan. These items fit design decorations– are rarely used in conventional interiors.
A common option is combination screens. For example, a wooden frame is made, onto which a decorative part is then attached. The wickerwork attached to such frames is most often rattan or bamboo. Also, sometimes MDF or HDF mesh is attached to such frames, and plastic parts are often used.
Due to the huge number of products, it can be difficult to figure out what sizes are optimal for a particular type.
Dimensions
Metal gratings are the easiest to install. A variety of models allows you to choose the appropriate option for any interior.
Metal gratings are difficult to make yourself. It is not difficult to purchase a suitable size option for your existing battery - the sizes of the products are usually standard. The market offers a wide variety of options, differing both in size and cost.
The following sizes predominate (indicated in millimeters): 400x600, 400x900, 400x1200, 400x1400, 400x2000, 600x600, 600x900, 600x1200, 600x1400, 600x2000, 750x600, 7 50x900, 750x1200, 750x1400, 750x2000, 900x900, 900x1200, 9001300, 900x2000.
For some interior designs, products are made to individual measurements, for example, when you need a panel surrounding a window sill. If the apartment has an exclusive battery or its location does not allow the installation of a standard design, then it looks interesting.
PVC products are made entirely from this base or on a metal frame. In terms of price, both options are more affordable than all-metal grilles. Standard options offered by markets have the following dimensions (indicated in millimeters): 600x300, 600x600, 600x900, 600x1200, 600x1500.
Wooden products for radiators will add special comfort and coziness to the apartment. Architectural style such elements vary - it largely depends on the type of wood used in the product. Standard dimensions in height and length are as follows (indicated in millimeters): 600x1300, 700x1300, 750x1300, 800x1300, 900x1300, 950x1300.
Finished factory products are coated with several layers of varnish, but even with this treatment, the gratings are often susceptible to temperature changes. The grids are not suitable for all types of batteries. Sometimes the best option is screens that consist of a wooden frame with a carved MDF panel stretched over it. Such products look very attractive, and the price is even cheaper than their wooden counterparts. Their heat transfer is comparable to metal products.
Manufacturers offer a variety of patterns to choose from. It is best to choose grilles with ornaments in which large holes are observed.
The price of an MDF lattice stretched over wooden frame, much cheaper than the cost of a completely wooden product. Size range looks like this (indicated in millimeters): 400x600, 400x900, 400x1200, 400x1500, 600x600, 600x900, 600x1200, 600x1500.
Glass panels are usually flat screens that are attached to the wall using anchor bolts. But These screens are not suitable for all types of panels.
Another negative quality of glass screens is the limited choice of standard colors, although custom-made products have a variety of decors. The cost of glass options is cheaper than their wooden counterparts. Approximate approximate dimensions are similar to wood products.
Glass products are easier to maintain, but it is more convenient to install wooden panels yourself.
How to install correctly?
Any work related to the installation of devices requires preparation necessary tools: tape measure, hammer, drill, ruler and pencil.
You may also need connecting parts:
- hardware fastenings;
- screw-shaped nails;
- ordinary nails;
- special corners;
- dowel;
- special glue.
The classic radiator grille looks like a three-sided box with legs at the bottom. All parts are fastened together according to the diagram that the manufacturer usually provides with their products. According to the diagram, it is more convenient to fasten the products and then hang them ready-made option to the battery.
Connecting the structure with corners will give it greater rigidity. You can also use simple wood glue.
Fastening elements for a suspended structure are installed in the wall - usually two holes into which dowel-nails are inserted are sufficient. Screws are needed to fasten the sidewalls, which are often not equipped with the necessary holes for pipes. If necessary, they can be measured with a ruler and marked with a pencil. It is more convenient to cut holes with a jigsaw. But if you don’t have a power tool, you can use a regular hacksaw.
Insert into dowels fixed to the wall anchor bolts or special hook-shaped fastenings. It is more convenient to mount the screen with a box on hooks.
The front panel is secured with nails small size. Sometimes, to improve the appearance, the structure includes a frame frame, which is secured over the frame with glue. Sometimes homemade screens are covered with wallpaper that matches the main one.
A removable screen mounted on a battery is considered an excellent solution.. This way, it will be easier to clean the radiator if necessary, and it will also be more convenient to get to the valves that can be used to regulate the temperature. Before drilling holes for hangers on the screen, it is better to mark their locations with a pencil - only after determining the exact location should you hang the screen in a permanent place and screw in the retaining screws.
It is worth considering that the heat-reflecting screen located behind the radiator must correspond to the exact dimensions of the box or external screen that is hung in front of the battery.
The heat-reflecting substrate is fixed with glue to the wall with the foil facing out. Other tips and recommendations may be useful for work related to screen installation.
For example, simplest option You can make the radiator grill yourself. For this purpose, a chipboard is useful, which can be painted and varnished. For the screen itself you need a sheet mesh. To make it, you need to measure both sides of the heating device, then add about 5 cm to the resulting height, and about 10 cm to the width. The front frame can be cut from a prepared chipboard sheet.
To construct the sidewalls, you need to measure the depth of the radiator and add about three centimeters to the resulting distance. The height of the structure must also be taken into account, taking into account the overlap. The top part should correspond to the depth measurements with an overlap.
Cutting parts should be done only after all measurements have been completed. The prepared parts are easily connected with furniture nails or wood glue. The mesh facade should be similar in size to the frame.
Unsightly edges of MDF can be decorated plastic profile. In some cases, ordinary bars are suitable as screen sides– they do not require additional fasteners. For a frameless screen, anchor collets are better suited.
It is even easier to install a screen made on special legs. With further use, this design will not seem reliable. However, this option will be faster to produce, and the costs for its implementation will be small.
Due to the fact that the structure on legs will not affect the air circulating inside the structure, This option is often recommended for installation in rooms with insufficiently heated media in the radiators.
Properly installed foil material behind the radiator will definitely increase heat transfer. To decorate the device in a children's room or bedroom, it is better to use lattices made of natural bases. For example, it is worth considering wooden options or MDF options. It would be a good solution self-production designs from old furniture.
It is important to understand that the main types of batteries emit two types of heat:
- radiant;
- convective.
The first option refers to the type of direct infrared rays. Low-temperature media produce zero levels of this energy. However, when the battery temperature is above 60 degrees, the value of radiant energy cannot be discounted - it is this part of the heat that is lost when installing radiator grilles.
Screen grilles also degrade the converter component. However right choice decor options can reduce losses to zero.
If the selected part is unsuccessful, then the thermal masses will remain inside, and the heating of the room will deteriorate.
Looks great alternative way decorating batteries - decorating with paints: You can apply a design to radiators using oil watercolors. To create the image of a 3D part, patterns are applied not only to the radiator itself, but also to the wall.
As a result of creating such a work of art, the front part of the radiator battery (for example, cast iron) and the vertical parts conventionally represent one plane.
The selected version of the radiator grille should not only be beautiful and reliable, but also easy to disassemble. Repairing or replacing a heating device should not be complicated by installing a radiator grille. Radiator protection looks interesting when it is in harmony with general view interior – this design should not stand out against the background of the general environment.
When choosing plastic decor, you should take into account its toxicity - in such a room it is important to ensure constant access to fresh air.
It is not advisable to clutter the decorative screen with furniture, since in this case not only the heat exchange regime will be disrupted, but also the beauty of the decor will remain unnoticed. The screen, in particular its facade, must necessarily have perforation– the holes will ensure the best air circulation.
Installing a grill requires compliance with certain standards. For example, the permissible minimum distance from the radiator should be 3 cm. You need to add 10 cm in width, and about five cm in height. Thus, the grille for a standard radiator (80 cm high and 200 cm long) will have dimensions of 85x220 cm. If side parts are provided, their width should not be less than 30-40 cm.
From the presented products with standard parameters suitable option you can consider a metal product 900x2000 mm or a wooden analogue with identical dimensions, but with a slightly higher price.
As a rule, heating radiators are located directly under the window sill and are visible to the naked eye of the visitor. They rarely decorate an elegant interior and you have to think about how to decorate them. Some resort to decoupage, while others install or hang decorative grilles on heating radiators of various shapes and colors.
Video demonstration
Key Features and Benefits
Decorative screens have become a practical and elegant solution to the problem of hiding bulky heating radiators. Designs that are so simple at first glance can perform more than one useful function:
- Protect radiators of complex shapes from the accumulation of debris and dust, greatly simplifying the cleaning process
- They are an additional barrier for small children who may accidentally touch a hot radiator and get burned
- Promotes better distribution of heat throughout the room and more uniform heating
But the most main function radiator grilles – decorative. With their help you can embellish and even complement the most sophisticated interior. They ennoble and emphasize the stylistic direction.
Decorative grilles for heating radiators are divided according to the following criteria:
- Design Features
- Material of manufacture
Design Features
Depending on the design features, decorative screens are divided into a number of subtypes:
- Extension box - it completely hides the heating equipment from view
- Hinged screens with a lid - they are intended for heating devices that protrude from under the window sill
- Hinged screens without cover- they are intended for heating devices that do not protrude from under the window sill
- Flat screens – great solution protect the radiator mounted in a niche
The front surface of the screens can be semi-open or completely closed.
An interesting heating option using water convectors from the point of view of decoration and efficiency,
Production material
The materials from which decorative screens for heating radiators are made are very diverse. The following products can be found on the market:
- Glass
- MDF screens
- Plastic
- Wooden
- Metal
Glass
Glass decorative screens are among the most exotic. Such products are the most expensive, but they look truly beautiful. They became widespread in office premises, have an exquisite design, which is developed individually for the customer. Images and textures are applied to the surface in a wide variety of ways (engraving, matting, etc.).
MDF screens
Decorative MDF screens for heating devices are considered one of the most affordable. They replaced more expensive natural wood products.
According to experts, the strength of MDF products is twice that of wood. The material is environmentally friendly, it does not emit harmful substances providing negative influence on the body.
Ease of processing is another feature that determined widespread MDF products on the market. They can be easily shaped into any shape and a wide variety of patterns and images can be applied.
Plastic
Plastic products can be classified as classic. They are among the most affordable on the market. Credit must be given simple maintenance and durability.
The market is richest various models, which manufacturers give any shape and texture, apply a wide variety of designs. However, in addition to style, due attention must be paid to the quality of the material used. It directly affects the cost, but plastic that is too cheap can be toxic. When heated, it releases substances that can be harmful to health.
Wooden
Decorative grilles for heating radiators made of wood will never lose popularity and will never go out of fashion. However, their industrial production is practically not carried out; it is necessary to order products and individual craftsmen.
Particular attention must be paid to the type of wood and its quality. Under the influence of temperatures, its internal structure begins to collapse, the screen will begin to warp and shrink.
The undeniable advantages of wooden decorative screens are their naturalness and environmental friendliness. They are able to complement even the most sophisticated interior, adding warmth and comfort.
Screens are manufactured strictly according to the size of the heating radiator. Given the low thermal conductivity of wood, much of the heat may not be able to enter the room, remaining to circulate inside. Wood products are contraindicated for converter heating systems.
Metal
Metal screens, which have an excellent balance of quality, performance characteristics and cost, will never lose their popularity. They have no effect on heating device, its service life and reliability.
The production of metal screens is carried out from thin steel with a high thermal conductivity coefficient. Even completely closed structures give in environment everything is warm.
Click to enlarge image
Thanks to development modern methods processing and painting of metals, they do not tarnish or corrode even after years. Constant temperature changes and aggressive environments do not in any way affect the quality and structure of products.
Metal gratings are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. The main thing is to choose the right size so that it matches the dimensions of the device being covered. For non-standard radiators, you have to order the grille individually.
How to reduce heat loss
It is no secret to many that placing a heating radiator under a window sill reduces its efficiency by 4%. If you place it in a niche, efficiency can drop by as much as 7-8%. Decorative heating screens have the same effect. Designs that cover the entire battery can reduce efficiency by 30%.
To reduce the amount of heat loss by installing decorative screens on the radiator, you should remember a few very useful rules:
- Ventilation screens must not be covered by a canopy.
- The visor should point warm air up rather than holding it down
- The surfaces inside are blackened, so that thermal infrared radiation is directed into the room
- Metal or foil reflective screens are installed on the wall
And in order not to overpay for heat, we recommend that you use batteries yourself
Average prices of decorative grilles for heating radiators
The modern market amazes everyone with its variety of offers for various categories of goods - decorative grilles are no exception. Products differ not only in materials, but also in shape, configuration, color palette, manufacturers, etc.
Potential buyers are offered not only factory production models, but also custom-made products. If we talk about the average cost of products, we can name figures from several tens to hundreds of dollars. For a classic battery of 7-8 ribs, metal or plastic product will cost about 15-50 USD e.
Let's sum it up
Taking advantage of the demand, decorative grilles for heating radiators are increasingly found not only in offices, but also in private homes. Moreover, everyone must make an individual choice, since it depends only on capabilities, wishes and personal preferences.
Water heating radiators, being part of engineering communications, are usually not considered as interior decoration, although designers are certainly working on this as well. But since in modern house Both the interior and the optimal practical characteristics of all household elements are given increased attention; such a nuance as grilles for heating radiators also acquires a certain importance.
Installing convection grilles or screens on radiators combines several functions, decorative and practical. Therefore, a correctly selected grille for a heating radiator - its material, design, coating, technical parameters, ease of fastening and cost - are of no small importance.
Decorative grille for radiator - main functions:
Regarding the stylistic aspects of choice, the fencing of heating radiators has many trivial and non-trivial design options, the use of materials, coating and specific characteristics, which affects both the functional side of the issue - convenience and practicality in operation, and the price.
Decorative grilles made of various materials
Depending on the material used, protection for radiators today is presented in the following formats:
Plastic decorative grilles
Decorative grilles for plastic, or grilles made of PVC, are the most widely used method of decorating and protecting radiators today. PVC gratings have a number of undeniable advantages. Initially, this, of course, is a huge selection of shapes, a variety of textures of slots, convection holes, plastic colors, and a universal gradation of the size range.
The second indisputable advantage of a plastic grill is, of course, the price. If you need an inexpensive grille for a heating radiator, the price of a PVC grille will be minimal in this case. When the choice is made, plastic decorative grilles for radiators can be purchased at almost any hardware or construction store, as well as in an interior boutique - depending on stylistic preferences.
The material from which plastic grilles are made is similar in its parameters to that used for the production of windows.
It is not flammable, and if the technology is followed, it can withstand temperatures up to 95°C without structural changes, so that even with the maximum thermal load of the heating system, the decorative grille will not lose its parametric shape.
PVC gratings do not require painting and are easy to clean with ordinary detergents. But when choosing such a lattice, you should pay attention that the color of the product is the color of the material, and not a coating or film.
If you plan to purchase a protective screen for a radiator for a child’s room, or any sports-oriented room, it makes sense to take into account the fact that the strength characteristics of such products are quite low, and it may be better to choose a metal or wooden screen. In a situation where the question arises - how to close the radiators with your own hands, plastic grilles are the least troublesome option.
Decorative grilles for wooden heating radiators
Wooden grilles and boxes for decorating and protecting heating radiators have the longest tradition in this area of economic use, and naturally quite a lot of experience has been accumulated in design features such products, and their use as interior elements - even to the point of using them as part of indoor furniture. Such non-trivial solutions are especially indispensable when it is necessary to fit heating radiators into a classic interior.
But even in a modern stylish interior, such details are never superfluous, especially if a good architect or designer has worked with the space. Wood has attractive aesthetic and environmental properties, which allow you to turn a practical household element into a decoration, and sometimes even a work of art. Such stylish natural interior details always create a certain cozy atmosphere in the room.
The material provides the designer with enormous freedom to implement creative ideas, up to the delights with unique carvings, or all kinds of inserts and overlays. The plasticity and pliability of wood has always inspired artists. Wooden gratings should be made from hardwood, since when heated, any coniferous wood begins to release resin, dry out, crack, and the product may lose its original shape and appearance.
Common types of wood used are: beech, ash, oak, although, if funds are available, more exotic options are also possible. Price for similar wood materials is quite large, therefore the cost of products is usually higher than for other types of protective screens. If you choose a wooden version of the grille for heating radiators, you can buy or order it at the factory or in a specialized showroom.
Decorative grilles for heating radiators made of MDF
Unlike fiberboard or chipboard, the adhesive base of which can release toxins when exposed to high temperatures, MDF is not so susceptible to thermal effects and can be used as elements of protective grilles. MDF boards, covered with a special wood-like film, or painted, are used in combination with wood, which sometimes significantly reduces the cost of production wooden structures, and creates the possibility of factory machining - perforating and carving the material with high quality and speed.
Protective screens made of MDF have increased characteristics strength, moisture resistance, resistance to temperature influences.
Available in production large number a variety of pattern patterns for perforation and processing, from which the customer can easily select the shape and convection characteristics of the product to suit his taste. Covering it with such a screen is a completely aesthetic and inexpensive solution.
Tempered glass screen protectors
Glass decorative protective screens have a specific appearance and texture, so their use is most often in demand in designer interiors, when the style involves specific accents and solutions. Such a screen is a safety plate made of tempered glass, which is almost impossible to break, fastened with special fittings (usually decorative). The surface of the plate can be matte, glossy, colored, engraved, sealed with a special film with drawings or photographs.
Decorative metal screens
The most versatile, widespread and practical option grilles for heating radiators, which you can buy in a specialized store, or order - this is a metal screen. Usually it is a sheet of perforated steel or aluminum, the front surface of which is painted in any color requested by the customer (preferably if it is powder coated), and reverse side covered with black or dark brown paint to improve the convection properties of the product.
The advantages of such decoration are obvious: high thermal conductivity, wear resistance and impact resistance, low price and easy to install, no deformation, quick replacement. When purchasing such a grille for heating radiators, the dimensions are calculated very simply - just add a couple of centimeters to the length and height of the radiator. So, if you have a question - how to close the heating radiator in a room, this is a simple and very economical solution.
Grilles for heating radiators
Although heating radiators do an excellent job of heating rooms during the cold season, they will not always look aesthetically pleasing and fit into a sophisticated interior. That is why owners of houses and apartments often resort to using elements such as grilles for heating radiators. Such grilles can not only update your interior, giving it new sophisticated features, but also protect against hot metal and make it easier to care for heat sources in your home.
Currently, the market is simply filled with an incredible number of variations of grilles for heating radiators, so choosing the right ones for yourself will not be difficult. Let's figure out what radiator grilles can be and how they differ from each other.
Variety of radiator grilles
It’s worth noting right away that grilles for heating radiators should not only be attractive, but also resistant to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. temperature conditions. After all, the heating season lasts quite a long time, all this time the grilles will be in contact with the heated metal of the batteries.
If we evaluate heat resistance, the materials will be as follows:
- MDF. This is an imitation of wood, but the cost of such gratings is less. Decorative grilles for heating radiators made of MDF can be of various shapes, they look great, and different images can be applied to their surface.
- Tree. Wooden grilles for heating radiators are usually made from valuable species wood, which is why such gratings are expensive. They go well with other interior items and are suitable for almost any style. But under the influence of high temperatures from heating radiators, the wood can become deformed and dry out. Wood is an indicator of sophistication in the interior; in addition, such grilles will add coziness to your home.
Wooden grilles for heating radiators
- Glass. Glass grilles for radiators are included in the expensive category. They are made from frosted or colored glass. You can also find gratings with a printed pattern. It is worth noting that the material is not very practical - after all, glass may not withstand an accidental mechanical shock or prolonged pressure. You should handle it carefully and carefully so as not to accidentally break it.
- Metal. Metal grilles for heating radiators are the most common; they are often used in living conditions. This is a practical and convenient option to hide batteries from prying eyes and decorate your interior with a stylish element.
- Certain species plastic. Plastic grilles for heating radiators are included in the category of budget products. Very often, such grilles are used in public spaces and office buildings. And if the material is not of high quality, then when heated, such gratings can be hazardous to human health.
Flat grilles are usually placed on radiators that are mounted in niches. Mounted - made with or without a lid. There are also PVC grilles for heating radiators in the form of a box - they are used if it is necessary to completely cover the heating elements and communications.
Why metal?
Metal grilles for heating radiators do not have any special design - however, they are very practical in all their variations. As a rule, such gratings are made of thin sheets of steel. They are powder painted, so their service life is increased.
Decorative grilles for heating radiators made of stainless steel do not require painting, since the material itself has good aesthetic characteristics.
Sometimes such material is perforated, resulting in complex pattern. But such models will fit perfectly only into an interior created in a high-tech style.
Metal grilles for heating radiators in high-tech style
Thus, metal grilles for radiators have many advantages, which have led to their widespread use:
- There is no need to repair or paint them.
- They will not interfere with heat transfer.
- Made from materials that are safe for human health.
- They are easy to install.
- They do not deform from heating.
- If contamination appears, it is very easy to remove.
What affects the cost of battery grids?
Radiator grilles can help save money. And if you are normal cast iron batteries, which provide excellent heat transfer, but have an unsightly appearance, it is not necessary to remove them. All you have to do is just buy grilles for them - and they will be hidden under stylish elements interior, successfully complementing it.
So, the cost of the grating will be influenced by several factors:
- Material of manufacture. Certainly, wooden product made from expensive valuable wood will cost more than a plastic product.
- Brand and trademark. There is no point in arguing that if you are looking at identical products made in Germany and China, their prices will be completely different.
- Dimensions of grilles for heating radiators. If you order a non-standard design, the cost of such a product may be higher - even by 50%.
- Decoration. If you order a product with curly legs, complex weaves, and beautiful edging, it will cost more than standard grilles.
- Design features. Flat gratings will be cheaper than closed boxes.
- Color and method of painting. When ordering expensive exclusive variations such as “wood”, “gold”, etc. the cost of such products will be slightly higher than just white powder coating.
Decorative grilles, as seen in the photo, in any design can add completeness to your interior. The decoration of the room will no longer be spoiled by sometimes completely unsightly cast iron radiators heating. In addition, the owners of the premises will like not only the design task of the batteries, but also the ease of caring for them - after all, you will no longer have to paint the batteries, and sometimes this is precisely what is difficult to do due to the design of the heating radiators.
Old heating batteries, as well as modern radiators have a number of positive properties. The main task of a radiator is to heat the room. Therefore, it is natural that among them negative qualities aesthetics definitely plays a significant role. The rather rough shapes of old radiators lead to particular embarrassment for the owners and other residents of the house when they need to invite friends or relatives to visit. In modern radiators this problem occurs less frequently, since they are often decorated with decorative elements.
But the need to hide part of the heating system from view remains relevant in most cases. One of the best ways to do this is to install decorative grilles on heating radiators. There are several positive points in the use of decorative grilles, which will not only bring the appearance of the premises to a certain standard, uniform style and will become an indispensable part of the interior. It is easy to see the difference using specific examples, including evaluating the design of rooms with radiators before and after installing decorative grilles.
To decide which options for decorative grilles are best suited to the design of the rooms and at the same time ensure the full functioning of the heating system, you need to know what types there are and how to install grilles for placement on radiators. And how safe are the materials from which they are made?
Types of gratings
There are several factors by which gratings are classified. As a rule, two of them are considered main:
- installation method;
- manufacturing material.
Although sometimes there are also other divisions into types, for example, according to the characteristics of the protective surface coating, environmental friendliness and other differences. But these differences most often depend on two fundamental factors, which should be considered separately.
Design issues are also a separate area in which there are a lot of nuances. Classic options and examples design solutions can be assessed from the photo after the final selection of the base material and constructive solution for gratings.
Installation method
The internal layout of the room and the location of the heaters in it influence the choice of a specific type of grille.
There are two main types of gratings, which depend on the installation method:
- mounted;
- attached.
Hanging grilles
Hanging grilles can be installed in several cases:
- the radiator is installed in a niche;
- the radiator is installed under a fairly long window sill;
- The radiator is against the wall.
In the first two cases, the grille is flat, but there are differences in the installation method.
A heater located in a niche is most often covered with a decorative flat grille, which is attached to the wall on both sides with self-tapping bolts or other fasteners. Sometimes additional elements are used to create fastenings for organizing removable hanging grilles. This is a good option that allows you to quickly access the battery, for example during a breakout, for repairs or painting, without destroying or damaging the grill itself.
In the case of installing a heating element near a window, when its width matches or is slightly less than the width of the window sill, a flat grille can be used, but only with a top fastening. It is better to use for this type of installation not a flat decoration, but one with side panels that protect the end sides of the heater and also hide them from view. In this case, there can be several fastenings: top, side or combined (top and side).
If the battery is installed directly against a flat wall without a window, as shown in the photo, use a hinged panel with a top strip, which may also have side strips. The types of fastening are appropriate.
Using a hanging grille with covers or side panels can completely change the appearance of the battery, but when choosing this option, carefully plan the mountings. In some cases, you can do without fastening parts. For example, if the hinged grill cover fits well on the top side of the battery. But experts still recommend using fasteners in this case: load-bearing bolts, clamps, clips and others.
Attached grilles
Attached grilles are the easiest decoration method to install and the most universal, since they are suitable for almost all of the listed types of installation of heaters in a room.
Attached decorations have two important advantages:
- they do not require mandatory preparation of fasteners, which often leads to surface damage and even destruction of walls and window sills;
- they can be installed at any distance from the walls and are often part of an overall design solution.
The disadvantages of attached grilles also include some factors. Although they do not require the same fastenings as mounted ones. Their fixation on the floor, near walls or other furniture elements is simply necessary. They most often have a lot of weight, which gives them additional stability, but makes them inconvenient to transport, install and dismantle.
Add-on decors are often characterized by a certain pomp, because they are usually used as separate elements interior design or furniture. Therefore, their use is more justified in residential premises, work rooms, classic style etc. They are unlikely to be suitable for offices, common corridors or bathrooms.
Source material
Several common materials are used to decorate water heaters in the house:
- different types of metals;
- wooden boxes and attachments;
- plates and sheets (MDF and others);
- plastic and other artificial structures.
Metal
Metal gratings and boxes are usually stainless steel, already painted before they go on sale.
This is the most practical and widespread option, which has no equal on the market for decorating radiators. Its main advantages are its extreme resistance to any temperature and mechanical influences, as well as its insensitivity to changes in humidity levels, pressure and other conditions.
Stainless metals, mainly used in decorative grilles, have a huge service life. They can be used in any climatic conditions. Some composite variations of metal alloys are quite easy to install and transport. Thanks to standard solutions for fastenings, which can be seen in the presented photos, these variations can be used anywhere in the home, office, study, etc.
From manufacturers metal structures for decorating heating systems there is a fairly democratic pricing policy, thanks to the low cost of manufacturing technology.
Thanks to these advantages, the metal decor of radiators takes a leading position among others.
Tree
Wooden decorative grilles are popular among aesthetes and admirers of environmentally friendly technologies. These materials have one clear advantage. They are of natural origin. Their beautiful appearance can be appreciated by the photo of decorative grilles on heating radiators.
Although wood is environmentally safer than other materials, it sometimes brings some troubles into the house:
- wood is susceptible to drying out and moisture accumulation;
- it requires chemical treatment;
- The tree is quite fragile.
Frequent weather changes, which entail a change in the heat supply regime, open negative side wooden decors. Using examples of photographs of outdated wooden gratings, you can see how badly its surface cracks due to the constant drying out and moistening of the environment.
A pleasant factor influencing the choice of wooden radiator grilles is the wide price range. Lovers of natural materials will find samples ranging in price from low to high.
Wood fiber
Wood fiber is a more simplified and reliable option than wood. It often helps prevent rodents, insects, and moisture, but is still sensitive to these problems.
One of the most popular types is fine wood fraction (MDF), which has proven itself well for decorating radiators, thanks to some production features. Wood fiber materials are compressed during hot pressing. They perfectly transmit heat and are practically unaffected by the environment; they do not allow moisture to pass through during normal use.
Other types of materials are also widely used: HDF, plywood, fiberboard. They are to some extent inferior to the finely dispersed fraction in terms of strength characteristics, although they are quite convenient for processing and installation, as shown in the photo.
The main disadvantage of MDF is the price, which significantly exceeds the cost of both wooden and metal elements design.
Synthetics
Plastic, PVC and other synthetic materials have firmly established themselves in the market for decorative grilles, as they guarantee any type and desired qualities.
Typically, the set of qualities depends on prices, the range of which for plastic is quite wide. Advantages of synthetic materials:
- strength;
- ease;
- ease of installation;
- relatively low price.
Modern technologies make it possible to create composite and polymer materials, which are in no way inferior in terms of environmental friendliness, strength, safety and ease of installation to other materials.
The main question when choosing artificial materials is how much money the buyer is willing to shell out. It is noteworthy that for any wallet there is an acceptable option for plastic, polyvinyl chloride, other composite or polymer coating.
Installing the grille on the radiator is a very simple task. It will be especially easy if both of these elements have standard sizes. For reliable and long-term service of the grille, you need to take care of it and prevent various damages. To select best option for your own home, you can evaluate photo catalogs. It is advisable to invite a designer who will develop an interior style and suggest what would be better suited to radiators.
The right grille will provide you with an attractive interior design and will become an integral part of it. And regular care will significantly extend its service life.