Custom Radiator Covers

By Robert Robillard on Home Repairs And Remodeling

Installing Custom Radiator Covers

Radiator covers or enclosures are a simple, inexpensive way to instantly brighten your rooms and add shelf space and HEAT UP” your decor.

Custom Radiator Covers

Decorator Sandra Stout from Creative Design Solutions [978-505-7447] came up with the idea to cover the radiators in this home. All together we will have covered six radiators on this project when done.

“The pragmatic, and elegance that these radiator enclosures gives, makes them beautifully suited, cost effective and a functional option for older, stately homes,” says Stout.

Custom Radiator Covers

Part of installing a custom radiator is to get it to fit tight to the wall. Most finished rooms have baseboard and base cap molding. See below.

The first step is to duplicate the baseboard molding onto the radiator cover.  I do this by using my two dollar “Scribes” to trace the baseboard and molding.

Custom Radiator Covers

Tools Needed

Another important tool is a block plane. I will often put a slight “back bevel” on the edges of the wood that touch the wall. Doing this allows for a tighter fit as well as easier adjustment to scribe the cover to the wall.

Custom Radiator Covers

OK, so I scribed the baseboard in the lower left of the photo but somethings not right here… can you see it? [click to enlarge]

The wall and floor are not 90 degrees and there is an unsightly gap between the wall and top half of the cover.

Custom Radiator Covers

To correct this I adjust my scribes to the same width of the gap showing. Then retrace the wall and baseboard, cutting it with a jigsaw and fine tuning with a hand plane.

Custom Radiator Covers

Much better.

Best case would be a super tight fit, second best is a nice even and consistent reveal between the two surfaces. This cover is sitting lose and will go tighter to the wall once attached.

Custom Radiator Covers

Back, right edge, scribed to baseboard and base cap.

Custom Radiator Covers

Detail showing the scribe marks traced on radiator cover.

Custom Radiator Covers

Fine tuning the fit on the left side, face of radiator cover.

Custom Radiator Covers

Custom Radiator Covers

To secure the radiator to the wall we use what’s called a “French Cleat.”

Installing Tight To The Wall

A French cleat is as ingenious as it is simple. It involves securing a strip of wood with a 45 degree bevel to the wall, and then securing an opposing beveled strip on the back of a cabinet or heavy artwork.

Custom Radiator Covers

This radiator is paint grade material so to install the cleat we glued the cleat and attached it to the radiator cover shelf with finish nails.

We used 3/4″ scrap birch plywood for our cleats.

Custom Radiator Covers

The other end of the cleat was attached to the wall. When complete the radiator cover slips down, over the radiator and onto the opposing cleat locking it against the wall.

Custom Radiator Covers

Side view of French cleat installed on wall.

The French Cleat has been around a long time. It’s a simple approach to a strong, cheap to use hanging connection. I’ve used this system to hang cabinets, mantles and heavy art work.

Make your own radiator cover

Custom Radiator Covers

Finished!

Custom Radiator Covers

The beauty of the French cleat is that this cover can be removed for painting or cleaning with out the use of tools and fasteners.

Custom Radiator Covers

Ready for paint!

Custom Radiator Covers

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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