Radiator Cover - Woodworking Talk

hubaseball · 11-24-2008, 09:48 PM

Here is a radiator coverthat I am working on for a customer there are a total of three. I thought I would post a photo to see what people think.

Kenbo · 11-24-2008, 10:34 PM

They look great. What type of wood is that and what is the likelyhood of the heat from the rad warping it?
Ken

hubaseball · 11-24-2008, 10:49 PM

I used red oak and will be using a natural oak stain with a satin finish. In regards to the warping I think it will be fine. I have not had any problems in thepast.

thekctermite · 11-24-2008, 11:52 PM

They look great. Be sure to post a pic of them when they're finished!

GeorgeC · 11-25-2008, 05:49 AM

Would not putting a wood cover over a radiator cut down on the efficiency of heating. Wood is an insulator. I guess though the customer is more interested in looks than efficiency.

George

PS. If you reduce the pixels on your picture you do not get so much "spread."

red · 11-25-2008, 09:16 AM

The wood may insulate but the air will flow from the bottom up and out the front. I built these for years and never had a problem. Red

PS. I’m all for smaller pictures also!

firehawkmph · 11-25-2008, 09:17 AM

Hub,
I used to make these many years ago. Haven't done any for about 25 years. I used to build more of a faceframe for the top, front, and sides. For the center of the faceframes I used to use expanded metal.(sheet metal with many cutouts that look decorative). The combination of the wood and metal looked good and the heat transferred through quite nicely. Just a thought. I also left a couple inch margin between the radiator and the cover. The firehouse I used to work in had steam heat radiators which would get hot enough to burn you if you touched them for more than a quick dab.
Mike Hawkins

hubaseball · 11-25-2008, 02:52 PM

I don't think that the covers effect heating that much. I have done some research and is you leave 2" on the top it makes it more effective.