Radiator covers

[sorrelli]

Do these look outdated and is it worth getting some as a cheap quick fix or pay more for new radiators?

I think radiator covers are awful. Just paint your radiators the same colour as the walls.

Look at these ones! There is much more variety about than just those cliched noughties MDF ones.

www.coolradiatorscovered.com/#/timber/

Personally I’d save up an buy nice radiators. Radiator covers massively reduce the heat output to the room. So unless you are going to take the covers off in winter (which means you’re still looking at ugly radiators fo half the year) then I wouldn’t bother.

They do offer a mantle piece substitute for homes with no fireplaces. Mantle pieces often reveal a lot about a person.

Thanks all!

@StarlightLady

Who does?
I’ve been thinking of installing an electric fireplace too but we live in a very old Victorian house and getting decorating right between keeping a Victorian theme with modern furniture is challenging!

@sorrelli - While it’s nice to respect the period of a house, it is important to remember that homes evolve.

It’s a common mistake often made in films and TV dramas that furnishings should match a short time span. For example a film set in the 1830s should not only show furnishings from the 1830s but periods before. Some furniture is handed down over generations.

Likewise a home can reflect a long time span.

while you are stuck at home with the internet, look up radiation and convection and learn why radiator covers are a bit dumb.

Old house hallway..
We took the panel bit off and replaced with fabric..
Made door curtains in the hallway to match..
Looks lovely imo!!

Those covers linked above are lovely (for radiator covers) but the price you might as well just replace the radiator for that money!

I'd just replace anyway and take the opportunity to get a more efficient one in.

I wanted a shelf in my hallway so when I had the plumbing replaced I had an over large radiator installed so I could cover it with a cover and get a decent output. It would have been more awkward to match and replace the panelling behind the old radiator cover than it was to buy a new one.

We have one in the hall, as it serves as a shelf. The radiator in there isn't on very often though so never monitored output.