Heating batteries, especially the old ones, are the most unaesthetic element in the room. However, everything is not as hopeless as it seems.
For those who decide to save time and money on the reconstruction of the heating system and replacement cast iron radiators to modern ones, we offer several ways to hide, disguise, decorate and update old unsightly batteries. You will be surprised how these "cast-iron heavyweights" in a transformed form are able to refresh the interior.
Successful camouflage is a simple but effective idea for eye-catching radiators. It is enough to choose a paint to match the walls and paint the battery with it. Alkyd and acrylic enamels, as well as water-dispersion paints, are best suited.
And you can do the opposite - with the help of paint, do not disguise the battery, but focus on it.
At the height of the heating season, the radiator can become a potentially dangerous item in the house. So that the child does not accidentally touch the hot metal, special screens were invented that prevent direct contact with the battery and play a decorative role in the interior.
In addition, the screen will prevent dust and dirt from entering the battery. So cleaning will no longer be so burdensome.
The easiest way to fit the batteries into the interior of the room is to hide them in a drywall box and close them with a decorative grille. Of course, the decoration must be done in such a way as not to disrupt the operation of the heating system.
Special perforated MDF panels are the most versatile of the radiator screens. A wide variety of shapes, shades and textures allows you to choose them for any interior. Such screens are lightweight, compact, moisture resistant, and environmentally friendly.
The screen of strict forms is also considered a classic.
In a modern interior, laconic will look good. wooden models screens without elaborate decor.
similar decorative metal carcass for a radiator, you definitely don't want to hide behind curtains. Because it will definitely attract the attention of guests and will become the undeniable "highlight of the program."
If you have carpentry skills, the idea of a decorative screen for a radiator can be developed to an impromptu shelving, console, cabinet. Functional furniture worth its weight in gold in small dwellings.
Glass can also turn out not just screens for a radiator, but also beautiful elements of functional furniture.
Some thought to use the battery, covered with a screen, as an additional place to rest. Warm, cozy, beautiful.
The radiator and heated towel rail can be made an art object. Sometimes it's hard to guess what the heating system looks like.
The yellow square is not a picture, but a battery.
We suggest trying to solve the problem of unaesthetic batteries on their own, for example, using decoupage. Wash the battery thoroughly, make its surface smooth - old paint it is not necessary to remove completely. First, paint it with plain white enamel. While the battery will dry for a day, take a decoupage card with a pattern that you like. measure the width outer surface battery sections, cut the card into strips right size. Glue the motif diluted with water in a 1x1 ratio with PVA glue so that it is located exactly in the middle of the battery. Paint over the part left without a picture on top and bottom acrylic paints. When the paint dries, the entire battery must be coated with a heat-resistant varnish.
You can cover the battery in an original way with the help of a folding frame, inside of which strips of fabric are intertwined.
Needlewomen can sew some kind of fun cover for the radiator. For example, let an unaesthetic metal battery turn into a sheep or other cute animal. Children will definitely be delighted.
A radiator blind is a good alternative if you don't want to use bulky framed screens. For a decorative curtain, choose a fabric that suits your interior. Sew one part of the fabric Velcro to the top of the curtain, and glue the other to the bottom of the window sill above the battery. You can make several curtains and change them depending on your mood.
simple and original way battery masking - using a curved sheet of plywood 4 mm thick. The panel is attached to the wall with 4 screw hooks at a distance of at least 5 cm from the window sill, so as not to interfere with normal air circulation. In order to get a beautiful bend, the panel should be twice as long as the radiator, and its center should be placed strictly in the middle. On the front side panels, stick a decorative self-adhesive film for furniture.
It is easy to make a universal retractable panel from a fiberboard sheet, which, if necessary, can be easily transferred to another room. It is installed behind the frame frame. For the frame, boards made of fiberboard 1.6 cm thick and 8 cm wide are needed. The horizontal and vertical parts of the frame are glued together.
If the masking panel is first covered with dark paint and then varnished, you get a drawing and note board for children. Also, the panel can be decorated with an application, a picture, or a flock of fish can be cut out in it.
In one of the Moscow apartments there is such a fake plywood fireplace, made by hand. It covers an old cast-iron battery.
The transformation happened like this. From plywood they built the "face" of the fireplace with a window for the firebox, as well as a firebox box with the image of bricks. Then from polyurethane skirting boards made the decor of the floor and cornice. A long LED lamp was placed in the firebox to shine. The lamp housing was painted with patches of orange and red paint. The coals depict large stones from a hardware store.
There are several options to disguise the radiator and make its decoration an exclusive part of the interior. It is also known that radiators emit infrared rays that are not harmless to human health, and the lining of the radiators scatters these radiations.
That's why decorative trim heating batteries serves not only as an addition to the interior, but also protects our health.
A variety of materials are used for finishing radiators:
Finishing with MDF board with a laminate imitating the structure of valuable tree species will ennoble the stylish interior of your room. Such finishing of heating radiators can also be used in offices, hotels, country houses.
Advantages of finishing radiators with MDF board:
These characteristics of MDF material for finishing radiators were appreciated by numerous consumers.
Finishing natural wood always beautiful and noble. This ecologically pure material can provide the widest selection of colors and structural patterns.
Wealthy clients most often order the finish of radiators together with mahogany furniture according to individual design solutions. Finishing radiators with wood has a beneficial effect on health.
Indeed, when heated, wood does not emit harmful fumes into the air. And there are tree species such as linden, Canadian cedar, oak, alder and others that, when heated, emit medicinal aromas beneficial to human health.
Decorating with wood radiators can radically transform the interior of your room.
Finishing the radiator with metal sheets most often is a box, which is subsequently painted in a certain color.
This battery finish has a fairly low cost.
It is much more expensive to finish the battery with stamped stainless steel sheets. Such a finish looks more beautiful and elegant when a perforated sheet of metal with an original pattern of holes is used for it.
It is very easy to mount such a finish. In some cases, a stainless steel box is simply put on the radiator.
The original solution is to cover the radiators with a fabric that harmonizes in color and pattern with the curtains in the window opening. This type of finish looks very nice.
You can hang the fabric on the battery using various cornices.
It is also possible to finish the battery in an original way with a wooden frame, inside of which strips of fabric are intertwined. The strips are fastened to the wooden frame with a furniture stapler.
This finish can simply be put on the battery.
The color of the batteries should carry not only protective properties, but also fit into the interior of the room.
For painting batteries, paints with the following characteristics are required:
The following paints have such properties:
All these paints tolerate high temperatures well, are non-toxic, do not emit unpleasant odors after drying, and have a fairly long service life.
In specialized stores, you can find screens for radiators, which are decorated with various patterns.
These screens are made of high-quality tin, which is thermographically applied with a powder paint pattern. This results in a comfortable and beautiful product.
Such a battery does not fit into the interior of the room, it must be closed. This is easy to do with your own hands, using drywall for this purpose.
Before starting work, you need to determine the amount of materials that you need. To do this, you need to measure the battery.
The hardware store will offer you drywall for various purposes and colorings. It is advisable to choose a wall moisture resistant drywall as during heating operation, condensation may appear on the casing.
The color of drywall can be chosen to your liking.
To do this job, you will need the following tools and materials:
Let's start building the frame. It can be made from wooden beam or metal profile.
Attention: the marking of lines, for fastening guide bars or profiles, must be approached very carefully. The slightest inaccuracy will lead to the fact that the entire lining will warp. Therefore, the installation of all profiles must be checked using a level.
We determine the distance from the wall to the farthest point of the battery and add 3 cm to it. This will be the gap between the lining and the battery.
At this distance from the wall, we fix the lower guide for the profile or the beam for the wooden frame strictly parallel with dowels. We attach the upper guide from the profile 27 to 28 or a wooden beam to the window sill.
There are three mounting options for this guide:
After that, we mount vertical jumpers from a profile 60 to 27 or a wooden beam.
Please note: the top and bottom guides must be in the same vertical plane.
At the ends of the battery vertically to the wall, we fix with dowels strictly vertical guides from the profile at 27. Then from the profile at 60 we install vertical jumpers at a distance of 50 cm from each other.
Please note: the extreme vertical jumpers must be in the same plane with the vertical guides that are attached to the wall along the edges of the battery.
After that, install horizontal jumpers. It will be enough to mount 2 horizontal jumpers - one near the windowsill, and the second below.
Vertical lintels must be connected to the guides, which are fixed to the wall, using L-shaped profiles. The frame is ready.
From a sheet of drywall, exactly the size of your frame, cut out all the details of closing the battery.
Doing ventilation holes for good circulation warm air. Holes can be made with an electric drill with a “crown” nozzle.
Their diameter should not be more than 5 cm. Larger diameter holes will not look aesthetically pleasing.
After that, we install all the parts in their places and fix them with self-tapping screws. Hats of self-tapping screws must be drowned in drywall ha a depth of 1 mm.
Then, using putty, we process the joints and mask the screw heads. The finish of the battery box can be made according to your taste - it can be painted white or the color of your interior, you can paste self-adhesive film etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of using drywall in the decoration of radiators:
The disadvantages include:
Why do you still need to finish heating batteries:
Heating is the most important part of every winter. Thanks to him, we live the cold season in warmth and comfort, which makes the presence of a battery in the room an advantage, but the bulkiness and inelegant design interfere with planning repairs.
Large and protruding pipes are hard to imagine in a sophisticated classical style, modern high-tech direction, however, as in any other.
The usual location of the battery is the wall under the window. Due to its design, the battery stands out strongly in front of the wall. A protruding piece of metal does not add beauty to the room, which led the designers to think about how to beautifully arrange the battery in the interior.
Especially considering that the problem of protruding heating threatens the health of children. Batteries in the children's room are essential. They support desired temperature, which prevents hypothermia and colds in the child's body.
But what about children's activity and sluggishness? Toddlers easily hit, burn themselves and cling to the protruding parts of the heater.
Modern apartments are put on sale with newer models, they are more reliable and safer, but they appearance far from ideal. And I don’t feel like talking about old houses with huge “monsters” as heating. The most hard part- this is not to hide the heater, but to do it and not lose the main heating properties.
Every problem has its own solution. And to the question of how to close the radiators, the answer has long been found. Interior designers have found many solutions to this problem. The most used include:
The most popular solution for masking old radiators is a screen. Most often made from metal. Knowing such parameters as the width, height and length of the heater, you can easily choose suitable model. Screens are stamped in in large numbers and for different settings.
The advantages of this solution include the preservation of the main function - space heating. And also the material has high strength and wear resistance, does not change shape at high temperatures, is cheaper than other options.
Of the shortcomings, not the best appearance. It looks, of course, much better than a battery without it, but still not suitable for every interior. More details can be seen in the photo. hidden batteries. If you have limited finances, then you can decorate the screen yourself.
More costly and beautiful option This is a screen made of wood. Find ready-made version suitable for the parameters is difficult, so such things are made by professionals to order and are made by hand. The wood species, matched to the color of the furniture and the appropriate texture, will serve as an amazing example of how to hide the battery.
The pattern is chosen in the form of a sieve or weaving. They perfectly mask the shortcomings of the heating system and have a high heat transfer. The cost far exceeds the price of metal screens. But in return, you get a perfectly matching design detail.
Depending on the desired result, the screen can be created in the form of a high bench, cabinet, chest, or simply with additional shelves. The advantage is the ability to manufacture at home.
A screen made of plastic is a cheaper option than wood. But when buying, be sure to ask for quality certificates. And do not buy such an important part of the interior in non-specialized places and unknown brands.
Plastic is not the most reliable material and a product bought simply on the basis of the price can release toxic fumes at high temperatures or even melt on the battery.
A more elite option is special built-in furniture, which is made to order according to individual measurements and sketches. It is easiest to hide pipes in a table, cabinet, chest of drawers, seat, etc. But important condition is the free circulation of air from the place of heating, which will allow both to close the battery and heat the room without interference.
If you are an ardent opponent of noticeable pipes or extra elements in the room, then you can wall up the heating system under the walls. There are several options for execution and both are not the easiest.
The first option is to make adjustments at the stage of building a house, which will allow you to install the system behind the wall. If you live in an already fully built house or apartment, then you can create a false wall. Just sheathing everything a short distance from the radiator.
Of the shortcomings, this is a decrease in free space and a clear reduction in the room. And also the room will be heated a little worse. There will be natural difficulties, as well as costs in the event of a breakdown.
For a long time, including now, batteries are masked with heavy curtains made of dense fabric. The idea is good because it does not require extra costs and investments. And curtains are a natural part of the interior and do not attract much attention.
You can paint or wallpaper the heating pipes. This will help reduce their visibility in the room. But everything must be done qualitatively. Paint with smudges or obliquely glued wallpaper will only attract unnecessary attention and will involuntarily catch the eye.
You can get rid of all the pipes and replace them with a safer underfloor heating. The method has its advantages, first of all, you will not depend on the heating season, free space will increase, the chance that you will be doused with boiling water from your own battery will be zero.
Of the minuses, these are the prices for electricity, the possibility of a short circuit, fire, etc. increases. And also in the absence of light, in winter you will have to look for another place to spend the night.
For a children's room, fabric covers for radiators are gaining popularity. Most often they are made by hand. Created in the form of a favorite character or canvas with a magical story, letters, numbers, etc.
It all depends on the age and hobbies of the baby. Such a detail will be perfectly combined with the atmosphere. children's room and protect the child from burns and bruises.
Particularly original people hire artists. They use a battery instead of a canvas and paint on it with heat-resistant paints, creating unique masterpieces that match the interior of the room. The advantage is the ability to draw a new drawing if you suddenly want to change the design of the room.
A heating radiator that fits beautifully into a new interior is a rarity. Batteries, especially old, cast iron ones, stand out sharply against the background. fresh wallpapers and look ridiculous in a room if its design is not made in retro style. Think about how and what to close heating batteries, it is necessary even at the planning stage of the repair, and not after its completion, when some work can no longer be carried out.
Owners of apartments in houses old building most often faced with the fact that in the rooms installed cast iron batteries
. For efficient heat transfer, such a device is better. However, during the years of operation in the days of the USSR, in conditions of a shortage of materials of any kind, the only manipulations that were carried out on radiators were painting. Turning a monster covered in many layers of peeling paint into something decent is extremely difficult. In addition, cast-iron radiators do not have Ball Valves, which allow you to turn off the heating batteries if it's hot in the apartment.
The easiest way to replace the radiator on the modern model and immediately install shut-off valves, which can reduce the temperature in the room and turn off the water for repairs.
For the operation of the new radiator to be effective, during installation it is necessary accurately calculate place of attachment:
If these rules are observed, the heat transfer will be maximum.
Complaints about the heat in the apartment quite rare. Usually the temperature of the radiators is controlled by shut-off valves, but they are not always installed. Therefore, if you need to reduce the heat transfer of the battery without taps, then this can be done in several ways:
More often than not, people complain that Not enough heat from radiators to warm up the room. To make the batteries warmer in the apartment, you can also use reflective thermal insulation, only in this case you need to mount it on the wall behind the battery and on the floor below it. Other methods are more complicated:
If the temperature in the apartment is completely satisfied, and only the appearance of the batteries worries, then you can use one of the decor methods. The main thing is not to harm the heat transfer process and observe several important points:
Typical heating radiators are painted in White color and look good only against the background of white walls. If the walls are dark in color, but without a pattern, the radiators can simply be repainted. Only heat-resistant paint can be used.
Drawing on the walls complicates the task. Using a stencil and paint, it's easy to duplicate a simple pattern on a battery. If the pattern is complex, you can cut pieces from the remnants of the wallpaper that match the size of the sections and stick them on the radiator.
A special way to decorate the battery is decoupage. Handicraft stores sell stickers on vinyl backing that do not deform under the influence of temperature. For decoupage, you can use not only ready-made patterns, but also create your own from improvised materials: fabric, paper, hot melt adhesive, and even beads.
Women with good sewing skills often make their own covers for radiators made of fabric.
An alternative way to decorate is to create a special curtain for the battery. They are made of loose fabric and attached to the wall or window sill with textile Velcro. Most often, a fabric screen is made from the same material as the curtains.
The undoubted plus of such screens: minimal impact for heat dissipation and elementary care - the curtain for the battery that has collected all the dust is effortlessly cleaned during washing in a conventional washing machine.
For lovers ready-made solutions construction and furniture stores offer screens from various materials. The variety of choices allows you to choose a design that fits perfectly into any interior. The most popular screens made of metal and wood:
More difficult to execute decor option- a box covering the radiator from all sides.
Most often, boxes are made from the following materials:
The box is often made not in the form of a simple box, but as interior items: an imitation of a fireplace, a false wall or a section of a cabinet built under the window.
One of the most complex methods decor - hide the radiators as if they were not installed:
You can completely abandon the batteries, replacing them with alternative heating systems:
Great interior design can be seriously affected by the appearance of radiators. After all, most of them do not differ in aesthetics at all. Therefore, apartment owners often have a question: how to close There are many ways to disguise. But before choosing one of them, you should carefully analyze whether such a solution is appropriate. After all, any errors in the installation of the structure can seriously reduce heat transfer.
Before you start sorting best options than to close, consider the alternative proposals presented by the designers:
If decorating radiators is not possible, then consider how to close the radiators. The photos posted in the article will allow you to get acquainted with some of the options offered by specialists.
Thinking about how to close the radiators, you need to consider a few points:
This is the easiest method. When planning how to close the radiator in a room, you can experiment with a hinged screen or use a regular grill. Such structures are most often made of metal.
This battery masking tool has a number of advantages:
But, unfortunately, the hinged screen is not without its drawbacks. The most important disadvantage of such disguise is the lack of aesthetics. In other words, the appearance of the screen is far from the concept of "beauty". To remedy the situation, you can paint and paint the design.
This is a great solution for those owners who are interested in how to beautifully close radiators. Refractory thick glass will become original version for modern interior. Such a screen is often decorated with stained glass patterns or photo printing.
Installing the structure is quite easy. It is fixed with the help of special screw holders, which provide elastic gaskets to protect the glass surface. To fix the screen, it is enough to make only a couple of holes in the wall.
Glass screens can be purchased from designer shops. But the disadvantage of such a disguise is high price material.
How to close the radiators? Look great wooden frames. They can become a harmonious addition to any interior. Especially organically they will fit into the room, furnished wooden furniture. The ideal solution the frame will become, in texture, shape and color corresponding to the headset. In this case, it will be one with all the furniture.
Disguising a battery made of wood has a significant advantage. Such a frame, depending on the design, can become an excellent rack, shelf, table, stand for various utensils. With small dimensions, it can be equipped with an additional seat, such as a bench. In addition, by connecting all your imagination, you can create a completely unique frame for the radiator.
However wooden structures not without cons. Exposure to high temperatures can adversely affect the shape of the frame. Wood can warp.
This is very original solution. Heating batteries can be disguised with furniture. A chest of drawers or a small closet will look great. Such furniture is often made to order. But if you have at least basic woodworking skills, then you can easily complete such a design yourself.
In this case, you can use any other material. It can be drywall, MDF, laminate, chipboard or plywood.
Many owners are happy to use plastic to make the frame. It's simple cheap material, which is able to perfectly fit into the interior. But when planning plastic structures, it is necessary to take into account the following minus of the material. When heated, some species are able to release quite toxic fumes into the air.
But the most popular coating remains drywall. The installation of such material is simple and labor-intensive. Drywall is affordable and does not cause any problems with the acquisition. But at the same time, it opens up wide opportunities for the implementation of the most daring design decisions.
So, consider how to close the radiator with drywall. Designers offer some great ideas:
When you are faced with the acute question of how to deal with standard radiators and disguise boring batteries, be sure to analyze several solutions. Consider what options designers offer. And only then choose the method you like best. Perhaps your batteries would greatly benefit from the original painting? Or, by designing a drywall frame, you can create a wonderful shelf for trinkets dear to your heart.
