Design features of decorative screens
The main function of a decorative screen for a battery is to hide its unaesthetic appearance and support the design style of the room. At the same time, there are no large costs, as if you had to change radiators.
- Cast iron batteries often have to be refined.
- Therefore, it is important to ensure that access to the valves on the supply lines remains.
- They regulate the heating temperature of the radiator depending on weather conditions.
- And when starting the heating system, sometimes you have to drain the water on the upper floors if air gets into the system.
- Access will simply be necessary if one of the sections leaks in order to disconnect the battery.
- All these issues will be easily solved if the screen on the battery has an open end or it will not be difficult to remove it.
To ensure that such radiator decor does not reduce the output of thermal energy, its surface must be minimal.
The battery can be located either in a niche or protruding. Therefore, different screens are produced: the niche is decorated with a screen-panel, and the protruding radiators are hidden with a screen-box.
Wooden, metal and glass battery screens are in greater demand than others. Manufacturers offer models made from medium or high density fiberboard, plastic and rattan.
Today, the screen can be selected not only by the material it is made of, but also by color, pattern, and forged elements. It all depends on desire.
Panels
The panel in the hypermarket can be selected from the following proposed models:
- Grezzo India, parameters: 122 by 60 cm. Cost – 732 rubles.
- Panel City in beech and wenge colors, parameters: 120 by 60 cm. Cost – 718 rubles.
- Veron panel in white and beech and walnut shades, parameters: 120 by 60 cm. Price – 718 rubles. There is also a version of this brand without finishing. Cost – 530 rubles.
- Circo - panel without finishing, parameters: 103 by 70 cm. Price - 317 rubles.
- Circo in cherry color, parameters: 103 by 70 cm. Price – 348 rubles.
- Quad - panel in beech color, parameters: 103 by 70 cm. Cost - 368 rubles.
- The hilt is a panel without finishing, dimensions: 120 by 60 cm. Price: 530 rubles.
- Gloria - panel without finishing, parameters: 120 by 60 cm. Cost - 530 rubles.
- Lotus - panel in walnut color, parameters: 120 by 60 cm. Cost - 718 rubles.
Glass screens
For the decoration of old batteries, screens made of tempered glass with 8 mm thickness are offered. It is very difficult to break such glass. The edges of the structure are polished, which makes it safe to use and gives it greater strength.
- Caring for a glass screen is not difficult. It can be washed with regular detergent and water. The glass is coated with a special substance that is not afraid of this procedure.
- The decor for the glass battery does not interfere with thermal radiation: cold air comes from below, and the warm flow goes upward. The material transmits the sun's rays well. The structure is easily dismantled.
- Decorative screens are also produced from acrylic glass with a thickness of up to 2.5 cm. They weigh significantly less. This glass can be easily transformed into any shape, and there is also a large selection of colors.
If you choose a screen based on heat transfer, then the glass structure will have the maximum heat transfer. Any old battery with such decor will look modern.
Manufacturers offer models with photo printing, different colors, tinting, deep etching, and decorated with LED backlighting. Glass can be transparent or frosted. One photo print on the screen can be replaced with another over time. Choosing the necessary decor to match the style of the room is not at all difficult.
The price of a radiator screen depends on its size, the thickness of the material, what decorative elements were used, and the method of installation of the structure.
- Thus, screens made of transparent glass cost from 8 thousand rubles. for 1 m2;
- With matte material – start from 10 thousand rubles;
- For a color screen, the price starts from 11 thousand rubles;
- A model with a sandblasted design costs at least 13 thousand rubles;
- For choosing decor with photo printing, you can pay at least 15 thousand rubles.
Box
In the Leroy Merlin catalog, the decorative box for the radiator is presented in two sizes: 60x90 cm (price - 1,757 rubles) and 60x120 cm (price - 1,911 rubles).
60×90 cm
- Decorative box Gloria color beech. Price – 1,757 rubles.
- Decorative box Gloria color white. Price – 1,757 rubles.
- Decorative box Gloria cherry color. Price – 1,757 rubles.
- Decorative box Gloria, ash color. Price – 1,757 rubles.
- Decorative box Veron, wenge color. Price – 1,757 rubles.
60×120 cm
- Decorative box Gloria color walnut. Price – 1,911 rub.
- Decorative box Gloria, ash color. Price – 1,911 rub.
- Decorative box Veron, wenge color. Price – 1,911 rub.
Metal screens
Metal decorative screens for radiators are made from steel or aluminum mesh, which does not interfere with heat transfer. The larger the holes, the better the heat passes through. Because it does not linger in a closed space.
Despite the fact that the thermal conductivity of the metal is good, the thermal power has dropped due to the small surface of the structure.
The metal screen is easy to install. Different colors and patterns on it will satisfy any needs. They come in flat form and in a box with an openwork lattice.
The price is influenced primarily by the screen size. The largest height of the hanging screen can be 850 mm, and the length up to 2000 mm.
- If a large structure is needed, it is made of several parts.
- A screen with a height of 800 mm, with a length from 700 mm to 1500 mm costs from 2 thousand rubles. up to 4.3 thousand rubles;
- A height of 600 mm with the same height parameters costs from 1.8 thousand rubles. up to 3.9 thousand rubles;
- And a height of 400 mm costs 1.7 thousand. rub. – 3.6 thousand rubles.
Necessary accessories for work
To make a screen from laminated chipboard you will need a hacksaw or jigsaw, a pencil and a tape measure, a metal corner and a screw, a drill, a screwdriver. The corners are used the same as for shelves or wall cabinets. They can be purchased at any furniture or construction store. Anchor bolts for hanging the frame or dowels with hooks are also used. The hooks are very convenient for hanging the screen frame.
There are several options for making the front panel. The simplest of them is to buy a ready-made decorative perforated panel. Grilles come in standard sizes and to order. The patterns also differ, so there is always the opportunity to purchase the most suitable item. In case of color mismatch, it can be easily painted.
Note! If you have the skills to work with a jigsaw, then you can cut the decorative panel yourself from a plywood sheet.
You can assemble the frame and attach the side, front and top walls to it (there is no need for the bottom). Or twist all the elements directly together without a frame structure.
Wood screens
Wooden battery screens are made from beech and oak. They are said to be reliable and durable decorative structures. Screens are optionally painted, enameled or tinted.
For better heat transfer, they are raised above the floor, and holes are made on the box, which increases air circulation.
- In children's institutions, this is the most common decorative option for radiators.
- A model made of slatted material will be cheaper, and the function of heat exchange and protection against burns will be just as good.
- With a rail thickness of 28 mm, the price of the screen starts from 1.4 thousand rubles. per linear meter.
- The cost increases to 1.6 thousand rubles. for 1 linear meter, if the slats are varnished.
The designer robot models look very nice. But the price for them will increase significantly. If you wish, you can try and find where to buy a screen for a radiator made of MDF with imitation of valuable wood.
This model looks impressive, but the price is much lower than that made from natural wood. So screen size 55 - 70 mm perforated HDF panels cost 1.2 - 5.5 thousand rubles. taking into account the size of the structure. If the grille is made of rattan, then the screen will cost from 2.0 thousand rubles. up to 5.5 thousand rubles.
Decorative grille for heating radiator in Leroy Merlin
When choosing a decorative grille for heating radiators, you should take a closer look at the following options:
- Decorative lattice. Parameters: 120 by 60 cm, color – white. Price – 365 rubles per product. It is distinguished by its versatility of use, affordable pricing and ease of installation. Manufactured in Russia. One product weighs 2 kg.
- Lattice with parameters 90 by 60 cm in white. Cost – 292 rubles. It is easy to install, accessible and environmentally friendly. Produced in Russia. One product weighs 1.5 kg.
- Lattice dimensions 60 by 90 cm in gray ash color. Cost – 407 rubles. The weight of one product is 1.5 kg. The kit also includes slats and fasteners, a tie and strips (upper and lower, right and left).
- Decorative grille in the color of gray ash. Parameters: 60 by 120 cm. Cost – 407 rubles. The material is durable. One product weighs 2.1 kg.
- Decorative lattice, parameters 60 by 200 cm. Cost – 2,394 rubles. Suitable for modern designer interiors, it will improve the aesthetic appearance of the room. Product weight – 4.6 kg. Produced in Russia.
- Decorative grille, dimensions 200 by 70 cm. Cost 2,788 rubles. The element will emphasize the uniqueness of the design. The item is made of beech.
- Decorative lattice, parameters: 200 by 90 cm. Cost – 3,616 rubles. Product weight – 7.1 kg.
- Decorative grille, parameters: 200 by 80 cm. Cost – 3,211 rubles. Product weight – 6.6 kg.
- Decorative grille, parameters: 200 by 50 cm. Cost – 1,991 rubles. The weight of the product is almost 6 kg.
Plastic as a screen material
Plastic does not have the same thermal conductivity as aluminum or steel. To increase the strength of the material, you need to increase its thickness, which further increases heat loss.
- Plastic screens are not installed in children's institutions.
- Because when heated, they begin to emit toxic fumes.
- These designs are recommended for non-residential premises and offices.
The big advantage of plastic screens is their resistance to wet environments, resistance to corrosion, and low weight of the structure. The price of such a grill is about 200 rubles.
The grille is selected with a minimum surface area and installed at a distance from the floor, and then it will not only decorate the room, but also preserve the microclimate of the room.
Sequence of work
The first thing you need to do is take measurements. Using a tape measure or a centimeter, measure the battery, make a drawing on a piece of paper with notes - the length, width and depth of the screen. Depth is the distance from the wall to the location of the front panel. The structure should not stand close to the battery, so leave small indentations of 1–2 cm.
In accordance with the measurements, the elements of the box or screen frame are cut out. Holes for the exit of heated air can be made in the upper part and even in the sides, which will improve heat transfer.
Note! You can connect the parts with self-tapping screws, corners or glue - as you prefer.
Then you need to attach the screen to the wall and mark where you will drill holes for dowels with hooks for hanging (or corners with screws). The locations of the pipes are also marked on the sides of the frame in order to cut out the excess.
After installing the hanging elements, hang the screen and attach the front panel. Sometimes slats are glued or nailed along the perimeter with decorative nails. This creates a beautiful frame.
And further! Don't forget to stick reflective foil on the wall behind the radiator. Its size is selected so that the ends do not peek out from behind the screen.
If you don’t like the color of the material from which the screen is made, you can cover it with self-adhesive wallpaper or paint it.
Photo of the screen on the heating battery
Conclusion
As you can see, making and installing a decorative protective “casing” on the battery is not at all difficult. You can additionally decorate the screens with lighting or painting on the lattice, and skilled wood carvers can make a screen with a lattice in the form of a pattern or ornament. If you have chosen metal screens for heating radiators and decided to paint them, then choose a paint that can withstand prolonged heating.
The photo shows an option for decorating batteries using wicker screens and lighting
In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.
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Technical rules
One of the requirements is the accessibility of the radiator. It may leak and will have to be replaced or repaired. Therefore, it is better to choose designs that are easily removable. It is advisable that they do not have a fixed mount. Overlays with a folding door and a retractable mechanism are suitable. At a minimum, valves, pipe connections, thermal head and threaded connections should remain accessible in case of breakdown.
The second important point is related to the amount of heat entering the house. Any box reduces it. Especially if it is deaf, completely closed at the top or has a tight weave. It is better to choose something more open and not place the heater too deep. To reduce heat loss, you can put a solid screen on the legs and cut a groove in the middle.
Another way to compensate for heat loss is to install a heat-reflecting screen behind the battery. For example, polyethylene foam.
A few more tips
- Before closing the radiator, prepare it: wash it, blow it out.
- The distance between the masking structure and the heating device should be 35-50 mm.
- The minimum gap between it and the window sill, as well as the floor, is 60-70 mm.
Consider these recommendations when choosing a decorative overlay. After installing it, the temperature in the room should not drop by more than 1-1.5°C.
What to consider when masking
Before performing battery masking, you need to pay attention to some points:
- it is necessary to understand that in any case there will be a loss of heat;
- there should be no barriers to convection air flows; this is the only way to maintain uniform heating of the room;
- it is necessary to think through everything correctly so that there is open access to the batteries in the event of an emergency;
- The faucet, thermal head and other components of the heating system must be accessible to carry out repairs.
These points must be taken into account; this is the only way to create an original accent in the room and ensure proper operation of the batteries.
Advantages
When ordering designs from us, you receive coordinated work by craftsmen and designers. The window sill and screen can be made in the same color scheme and decor.
It is possible to manufacture a monolithic structure, where the window sill will act as the lid of the box. In this case, experts will provide additional ventilation holes to improve convection.
We use only proven materials with the following characteristics:
- resistance to UV radiation;
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to damage, scratches, chips;
- resistance to chemical influences;
- ease of care;
- ease of installation and maintenance.
When creating a project, all the nuances of the interior and the features of the heating system are taken into account.
