Any ideas on how to cover underfloor heating manifold (attached to wall)?

[londondee]

HI everyone, we had an extension last year, and have the manifold system runs our heating, attached to the utility room wall. Unfortunately this is the first thing you see when you open the door from the kitchen, and is rather unsightly. We need regular access to it, but would like to cover it up. Can't box it in with wood as that will warp over time (the room can be a little damp as I dry washing in there) and the manifold pipes give off a huge amount of heat.

Does anyone have ideas on what to use to box it in? The boiler is directly above it. Wondering whether MDF will warp over time too...

Thanks for suggestions!

Hi,

Could you say more about 'the manifold pipes give off a huge amount of heat'?

Avoid running hot as apart from inefficiency, it can lead to issues with flooring (screed, concrete, tiles or grout cracking) as these floor types can't expand and are brittle. Engineered wood floors can warp.

The manifold set temperature should be 35-40C for tiles or slightly hotter for wood. Just warm to touch.

My plumber set ours to maximum (60C) and the floors felt so warm but we started to notice grout cracking and hearing expansion noises. We run it at 35 and although it takes longer to heat up (2 hours vs 1) the heat is more even and it's far cheaper.

In terms of hiding it, oak and teak are water resistant woods. You could get something bespoke by Harvey-George?

We just put a radiator cover over ours as a temporary solution but it fits perfectly and its bern there for 18 months

Thanks. I saw that online as well. I actually want to cover the boiler as well as the manifold (one is on top of the other), if possible, but if I box it in with wood it will warp...