DIY decorative screen for a heating battery

Despite the fact that modern radiators made of aluminum and metal-plastic are made according to an improved design, nevertheless, many are not satisfied with their appearance. As an option, you can purchase a product made to order, taking into account the characteristics of the interior of the room. But it will be very expensive.

Decorative screen made of wood with glass inserts

The ideal solution would be a decorative screen made by yourself. This is a fairly simple and inexpensive process, both in terms of effort and financial component.

Most people believe that the battery in the box will heat much worse and therefore refuse them. But this is a big misconception. If desired, you can make a screen for the radiator, which will improve not only its appearance, but also increase the heating efficiency. It is important to understand the heating system of the structure.

About heat transfer

A heating radiator hidden behind an elegant decorative screen will add positive emotions to our lives. Such a thing can not only hide unsightly old structures, but also become part of the style of the room. When planning to create something grandiose for radiators in your apartment, you should not forget about preserving the heat transfer of the device.

Heat transfer table for heating radiators

Thermal energy consists of two parts:

• Radiant. It is emitted by streams of infrared radiation from the heated surface of the radiator. If it is heated to 50°C, then the proportion of such energy is small. As the temperature rises, the radiation power also increases.
• Convective. Heat from the battery is transferred by mixing hot and cold air.

A decorative screen on the radiator will inevitably block access to the flows of two energies, therefore, some of the heat will not flow into the house. If the box-shaped design is unsuccessful, the hot air will partially accumulate inside without being able to escape outside. The heat exchange process is disrupted; part of the heat will simply transfer to the next room. When packing a radiator in a beautiful box, 3-7% of heat energy is lost. It is impossible to completely avoid such a loss, but there is a possibility of reducing it. To do this, you need to choose the right screen design.

It is important! The screen installed on the radiator is responsible for the spread of infrared flows and air distribution. Therefore, the front part of the structure must have many holes.

Wooden grill for battery

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Types of screens for radiators

The modern construction market provides various materials and tools to fulfill your plans. Let's consider various options.

Metal screens

They have good thermal conductivity and are affordable. Thermal energy losses are only 3%. Thin sheet metal coated with a polymer film on top may be suitable for manufacturing. There are various shades of this coating on sale. But working with metal is not so easy.

Metal screen of a heating battery.

Wooden screens

A good, environmentally friendly option. The performer's imagination is not limited by anything. But for boxes and decorative grilles, well-dried wood is selected. Then the natural structure of the material and beauty will help to create a spectacular model. After making the screen, it must be coated with a special compound. Otherwise, cracks and deformation may occur. Requires constant care.

Wooden decorative screens.

Plastic screens

This material conducts heat poorly and can warp when exposed to hot temperatures. Plastic is inexpensive and looks neat. But there is no need to purchase cheap options, which, when heated, begin to spread a chemical odor and release harmful substances.

Plastic screens

MDF screens

The most common option for decorating heating radiators. It is not as difficult to care for as wood, and can be easily processed even at home. The material is durable and strong. And the price is the most affordable among analogues.

MDF screens

What you need to do to improve battery efficiency with a screen

The screen to some extent reduces heat removal from the surface of the battery. That is, the difference in coolant temperature between direct supply and return will be less.

It is impossible to talk about a clear deterioration in the convection rate due to the presence of a screen. It is enough to give an example of electric convectors, in which the heating element is located in a housing in the form of a box with an inlet at the bottom and an outlet at the top. This device even improves convection, since the box acts as a vertical air duct, which increases the flow rate.

But what is good for convectors is not suitable for radiators. The battery works on both convection and radiation (radiation). And the screen absorbs some part of the infrared radiation, and reflects some back. And if the thermal energy absorbed by the screen creates conditions for secondary convection, then the reflected energy heats the facade.

This heat can be made to work to heat the room. Even under normal conditions (without a screen), it is recommended to install a reflective plane behind the radiator, which returns infrared radiation from the inner surface of the battery into the room. Typically, foil foam (or similar material) is used. When installing a screen, this recommendation is doubly relevant.

Conclusion

Screens for the heating system are undoubtedly an excellent solution for giving your room, after renovation, a more finished look.

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The cost of the screens cannot be compared with the costs that could be incurred when replacing the heating system. The existence of a huge selection of sizes and designs allows you to choose exactly the option that is so necessary in your case.

Types of structures and materials

The main element of the screen is a facade in the form of a flat decorative panel with holes that provide natural air convection. The top and side panels are not always used - it depends on the location where the battery is installed. For example, the presence of a wide window sill and a niche make them optional.

The following screen mounting methods can be distinguished.

1. Mounted. The screen, alone or together with the box, is hung with emphasis on the battery or on the wall with hooks.

2. Floor. The screen acts as a facade on the box in the form of a kind of narrow bedside table.

3. Installed. The battery is hidden inside a niche, and the screen is a decorative part of the overall surface of the wall.

The supporting structure of the box can be made of wooden beams or aluminum corners - it depends on the materials of the decorative panel and its frame. The panel itself can be made from different materials: wooden slats, plywood, laminated fiberboard or chipboard, metal mesh.

During installation, a frame made of galvanized steel profile or wooden beams is usually used as a supporting structure (similar to the technology for installing plasterboard partitions).

Decorative glass screens can be distinguished as a separate type. This is the only type of material that is used in pure sheet form, without holes. And in order not to disrupt convection, the panel is installed without the top and side walls. Installation takes place using special fastenings on load-bearing elements made of cold-rolled decorative pipe, which provide the necessary ventilation gap between the battery and the panel.

Making your own plasterboard box - step-by-step instructions

You can make a neat plasterboard box for fixing a flat decorative screen yourself .

Table 3. Step-by-step instructions for making a plasterboard box.

After installation, the box is painted in the desired color to match the interior of the room.

In addition, we recommend you our article on the topic - Wooden balusters, where we looked at their types, as well as step-by-step instructions for making them yourself.

Some subtleties when making a screen

Before you mount the screen on the heating radiator with your own hands, you need to install a reflector behind it. To do this, you can use foil after wrapping it around a piece of plywood. This design will reflect heat rays and redirect them into the room. The level of heat transfer increases.

It is important! You can further reduce heat loss if the inner surface of the screen is painted a radical black color. Due to this, our product will take more heat from the radiator and release it into the surrounding air.

When creating screen options for the radiator yourself, think about how they will be removed and disassembled. This design should provide easy access to the battery in case of an accident or simple cleaning. There is also an annual drain and fill of the heating system, when some problems are possible.

DIY wooden battery screen

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Installing a screen for a heating battery with your own hands

Screens for radiators are a modern solution to the problem of obsolete heating elements that do not fit well into the interior. Being relatively cheap and easy to install, the screen eliminates the need to replace the radiator and supply pipes.

The screen for the battery is hung either on special brackets or directly on the elements of the heating system, which makes installation possible even without special skills and permits within 15-20 minutes.

Battery screens are metal products that visually cover heating radiators that are not very pleasant in appearance, most of which are a decorative mesh for heat transmission. Screens for batteries are very relevant when carrying out European-quality renovations, as they can give the room a finished look.

Probably, many will agree that beautiful curtains or stylish blinds do not look at all with “Soviet”-style radiators, even if they are painted. In addition, the shape of previously manufactured batteries no longer looks so aesthetically pleasing. Screens on radiators will help solve the problem.

They will hide the unsightly looking pipes. In addition to decorative functions, battery screens perform several protective functions. Everyone knows how quickly dust settles on a battery. Radiator screens installed in the apartment serve as an excellent barrier to the “ubiquitous” dust.

But not only this function ensures demand for our products. Outdated batteries often cause injuries. This circumstance must be taken into account if children live in the apartment. Due to the absence of sharp parts in the design, these products are absolutely safe.

The perforated screen is more environmentally friendly. It looks much sleeker than its metal brother. You can make patterns at the request of the client, which will increase the cost of the product, and, consequently, your profit. To make a radiator, we will need a wooden plank, plywood or chipboard, a sheet of perforated chipboard, a saw or jigsaw, self-tapping screws, paint, varnish, and foil. Most likely, you have the tools, and the materials are easy to buy at the construction market or stores like OBI.

To begin with, it is worth constructing two square profiles according to the size of the battery with an allowance of 5-7 cm on the sides, and on the bottom side to the floor. After which the top, them and sides of the profiles are sheathed with plywood, plasterboard or chipboard around the perimeter, leaving the back and front sides open.

Then we put a sheet of foil behind the battery, put on the screen and connect the entire structure. Foil is needed for better heat reflection. If the pipes approach the radiator from the side, you will need to cut a hole to fit the screen.

Another option is to not make side walls and put the screen on top. The choice is at the discretion of the customer. After that, all you have to do is cut out the decorative grille from perforated chipboard to size and attach it to the screen from the front side. Next, the screen can be painted or varnished to give the desired shade.

First you need to soak the rattan fabric in warm water in a bathtub or in a large basin for about two hours, so that it is easier to stretch the fabric onto a wooden frame, since when dry it is very hard and fragile at the same time.

Assemble the wooden frame. To do this, you will need ordinary wooden slats of approximately 2x3cm. (photo attached). Stretch the fabric over the frame and secure it with small nails or a furniture stapler and leave to dry.

Then connect the platbands to each other at right angles, using the same furniture stapler. When the individual parts of the screen are ready, you need to screw the frame to the frame from the platband with screws from the inside.

Naturally, before work you carefully measure the size of the hole in the wall in front of the battery. So that later the frame fits exactly into the opening. By the way, if the designer is sleeping in you, then the trims can be painted using the craquelure technique, or you can choose the trims not in the color of the walls, but, for example, in the color of the baseboard, this is something anyone has enough imagination for, it looks simply gorgeous!

The result of the work done is attached for viewing.

Wooden screens

The simplest screen to make is a panel in the form of a lattice made of wooden slats mounted on a wooden frame. The position of the slats can be any - vertical, horizontal, diagonal.

If desired, you can make a cellular lattice by placing the slats at an angle to each other, and using two opposite directions of the layout. Moreover, the angle between them does not have to be right. But in order for the lattice to be flat, you will have to make grooves at the connection points, and, given the thickness of the slats and the manual manufacturing method, it will definitely not be easy to do everything.

Another type is a screen-blind. This screen is reminiscent of classic wooden window shutters. In order for the slats in the frame to be at the same angle to the plane, identical parallel cuts are made on the side posts using a miter box. Since the thickness of the wood hacksaw blade is less than the thickness of the slats, two cuts are needed for each of them, and the excess must be removed with a narrow chisel.

Both the timber for the frame and the slats must be dry. Considering the proximity of the screen to the battery, it is necessary that their own humidity should not exceed 12% (these are general requirements for wood intended for carpentry). There is a simple home way to check - if you try to tie thin shavings into a knot, it should break.

When making both types of screens, each rail must be carefully sanded before attaching it to the frame. After they are fixed in place, the grille is primed and coated with two layers of varnish, paint or enamel.

As a decorative finish, you can attach platbands made of wood or MDF around the perimeter of the frame. If these are wooden platbands, then they must be treated in the same way as the grille, but their finishing coating does not have to be the same - the perimeter may be of a different shade.

When the battery is in a niche, the screen can either completely cover it or hang on hooks, leaving small gaps at the top, bottom and sides.

When attaching the screen to the frame, the side surfaces are sheathed with laminated fiberboard or chipboard. The ends of the sheathing do not need to be trimmed with a decorative edge if the screen trims will cover them.

Another common type of wooden screen is using plywood as a panel. If you know how to work with a jigsaw, you can cut out an openwork lattice with any pattern transferred to the surface of the plywood using a stencil. The finishing process for such a panel is no different from a grille: sanding, priming and painting.

Important! When choosing chipboard or plywood for a screen, you need to pay attention to their class. For plywood it should be E1, for chipboard - E0.

DIY metal screen

You can use a perforated metal sheet or expanded mesh as a panel for the screen. There are ready-made expanded metal mesh with anti-corrosion treatment (for steel) and enamel decorative coating. Such a mesh can be fixed to a wooden frame and used in the structures described above.

But metal has a serious advantage over wood - a high thermal conductivity coefficient. This property allows you to make screens that rest directly on the battery. They even increase its heat transfer by increasing the surface area. Moreover, a battery with such a screen works better not only for radiation, but also for convection - just look at the ribbed heating elements of convectors.

It is better to choose an aluminum corner for the frame, and an aluminum sheet or expanded mesh for the screen panel. They are easier to work with, and the thermal conductivity of aluminum is almost 5 times higher than that of steel.

A hanging metal screen is quite simple to make:

1. Take two corners with a length equal to the sum of the height of the screen and the depth of the battery.
2. Along the fold line on one of the walls of each corner, two counter cuts are made with a total angle of 90° (45° for each relative to the edge of the corner). Moreover, the cuts must be made so that the uncut walls of the corners face each other.
3. Bend the corners in the shape of the letter G.
4. Prepare a blank for the screen from a perforated sheet or expanded mesh. Its length is equal to the total length of the L-shaped corner.
5. Three corners are made with a size equal to the width of the screen.
6. Bend the screen blank and attach it to the L-shaped corners using screws and nuts with washers (in holes specially drilled in the corners). It is better to drill holes in place so that they fit into the perforation of the sheet or into the mesh cell.
7. On the inside of the mesh, three corners are attached in the corner and along the edges, which serve as stiffening ribs.
8. Paint the outer part of the L-shaped corners.

To ensure that such a screen is in a stable position, you can fix a pair of dowels with straight hooks in the wall, and drill holes for them in the short parts of the L-shaped corners.

Trying to make a screen for the radiator yourself

Screen-grid

A simple radiator screen consists of a panel with wooden grilles in a frame. The slats are located in any direction: horizontally, vertically, diagonally. You can also conceive a cellular lattice, for which the slats are laid in the opposite direction. The angle at which the slats are located can be not only straight.

Screen grid for battery

Diagonal arrangement of slats on the screen for the heating radiator.

As an option, the screen is made in the form of blinds. It will resemble traditional wood shutters. The slats in the frame are located at an angle to the base. This is done using parallel cuts. Taking into account the size of the slats, two cuts are made with a hacksaw, and the excess wood between them is removed with a narrow chisel. Such recesses are made at the desired angle and according to the number of prepared slats.

Screen in the form of blinds for the radiator

First, a frame is mounted according to the size of the radiator. After this, slats are attached to it. Just be sure to use dry material so that it does not dry out or warp during use. All parts are carefully sanded, strengthened with glue or self-tapping screws, primed and coated with the chosen varnish or paint.

Screen box

It’s easy to make a screen with your own hands for a heating radiator from MDF material. To do this, knock down a box under the existing battery and cover it with a decorative panel. You can purchase different options for the color and shape of the holes. Or order a drawing made according to your sketch on a special machine. You can also make simple holes yourself.

MDF screen box

The following tools may be required for work: a drill with drills and a circular saw, a hacksaw, a furniture stapler, and screwdrivers.

As for materials: we choose chipboard or MDF, metal mesh, self-tapping screws and screws for fastening, glue, two furniture legs.

Tools for work

Work is being done to create a screen for the radiator in the following sequence:

• We take measurements from the battery. We add 7-10 cm to the existing width, and 3-5 cm to the height. We measure the required values ​​on the prepared plate and cut along the resulting lines with a circular saw. We get the outer side of the screen.
• For depth, add 3-4 cm to the top of the box; we know the width. We cut according to the same principle. Now we know the dimensions of the side parts of the future product. We cut out these parts too.
• We cut out the necessary holes in the front part, having previously drawn them with a pencil on the plate. Patterns can be of any shape and depend on the imagination and skill of the performer.
• On the wrong side we attach a thin metal mesh covering all the holes. This can be done with self-tapping screws or using liquid nails.
• We connect all the blanks using metal corners, placing them inside the box and using the same self-tapping screws or screws for fastening.

It is important! If simple materials are used, you can wrap the side surfaces of the box with wallpaper with an adhesive layer to match the color of the front panel. It is better to cover wooden parts with stain. Experts do not recommend using varnishes and oil paints.

For stability, legs are attached to the bottom of the screen.

Installation of screens on heating radiators.

Of course, this instruction is quite schematic and does not explain all the points. But the main direction of the work can be understood. The rest depends on the courage and desire of the home master.

Types and forms

In addition to different materials, radiator grilles come in different designs. All this together creates a huge number of options.

• Flat screens. Most often used if the radiator is installed in a niche. In this case, the flat panel is attached to bars fixed around the perimeter of the niche. In addition, glass screens for batteries also have this shape, but are attached to special pins embedded in the wall. This type of decorative grille for heating radiators is also called “facades”.
• Hanging screens. There are two types: With a top cover. They are usually used on accordion-type batteries if the radiator protrudes beyond the window sill. The shape of the cover is made so that the grille holds onto the radiator without any problems.
• Without cover. Clings to the upper battery collector using hooks that are attached to the front panel.

These are only the main types of screens and grilles covering heating radiators. Fantasy is limitless, there are very interesting models, but they are most often made by craftsmen with their own hands.

Homemade screen - an original idea

Price often plays an important role when choosing a screen for a radiator. The range of prices in this segment is more than significant - from 230 rubles for a metal hinged screen, to 8,000 rubles for a glass one. Some prices are shown in the table.

Material and tools

Metal corner

Laminated chipboard

To make a battery screen you will need: a hacksaw, a pencil, a ruler, a tape measure, a hammer, a drill. An electric jigsaw can replace a hacksaw. You also need screws of suitable length and small nails, as well as metal corners. To attach the screen to the wall, you will need two hangers (they are usually used for wall cabinets) and dowel-nails of the appropriate diameter.

The screen for the battery is most easily made from wood, chipboard (plain or laminated) or thick plywood. At the same time, you can buy the front part - the screen panel - ready-made in the store, or you can make it yourself, for example, weave a furniture edge in the form of a “lattice” (with a bottom layer of thermal adhesive).

Note!

The smaller the total area of ​​the holes in the screen panel, the worse the battery will heat the house.

Self-adhesive wallpaper

Note!

If you decide to use materials that do not have a beautiful front side to make the screen, it is better to cover the finished product with self-adhesive wallpaper of a suitable color.

To make a heat-reflecting screen behind the battery, you will need a polystyrene foil backing of any thickness, scissors and glue (you can use Bustilat or PVA).

Advantages and disadvantages

I have made my choice - next weekend I will equip my machine with a branded mesh. However, minor troubles are possible - I studied the list of them myself and want to share with everyone.

Cooling of the radiator by the incoming air flow after installing the mesh will deteriorate somewhat, and the thermal regime of the motor will change. Well, this is an expected phenomenon. When I installed nets on plastic windows at home, they tried to impose on me an “ideal net” with the smallest cells, through which “nothing could get through at all.” But it is, to put it mildly, difficult for air to pass through such a mesh - it’s easier not to open the window at all... Therefore, you can’t install a completely fine-mesh mesh. True, dirt will still penetrate through large cells. But this, it seems to me, is obvious.

Glass screen

If wooden screens are well suited for traditional and rustic styles, and metal ones for industrial ones, then glass ones look great in modern interiors, such as hi-tech, minimalism, fusion, pop art. It all depends on the decorative processing of the glass.

In principle, you can order self-adhesive film with large format printing for a glass screen. You can also make a design on a matte or transparent surface using sandblasting or paste for chemical etching of glass.

If you don’t want to bother with decorative processing, then glass with a matte surface or painted in bulk is available for sale - you just need to order the desired size, and you can process the edge yourself. The only condition is that the glass must be tempered.

The simplest option for installing a screen is to point-mount the glass to the wall in four places. To do this, use special fittings with remote fastening.

But there is one drawback - you need to drill holes in tempered glass, and this is difficult to do at home.

Therefore, it is better to use a cold-rolled thin-walled pipe as the supporting structure of the screen. It (and fastenings for it and glass) are sold in stores that sell everything necessary for making furniture. As a rule, such pipes and fasteners are made chrome, but you can order them to be painted in any shade from the RAL palette. The screen stands are attached to the floor.

As an additional support for the racks, two remote adjustable fasteners of a closed type (with a plug for the pipe) can be attached to the wall. The glass is secured between the posts using clamps.

rmnt.ru

Alternative option

Battery Decor
If you do not have the opportunity to purchase or make a screen, you can use an alternative option - apply a design with oil paints to the battery.

Note!

For the best effect, the pattern is applied not only to the battery, but also to part of the wall near it in such a way as to create the effect of the absence of volume (that is, the front part of the battery and the surface of the wall are conditionally one plane).

Gallery of author's works: decorative grilles for heating radiators

Concluding the topic of decorating heating devices, we cannot help but introduce you to the unique works of designers that can serve as inspiration for you.

If you have useful experience or comments on this topic, write in the comments! Your information may prove invaluable to magazine readers!

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Functions of the radiator grille

The use of decorative products for batteries gives their owners a number of advantages:

• The batteries are effectively disguised, which transforms the room, maintaining a single and unique interior style.
• Radiators are protected from dust, which makes them easier to care for and increases their service life.
• Household members are protected from the possibility of accidentally getting burned or hitting protruding parts of the radiator.

If you design and create a radiator shield yourself, you can give it additional functions:

• Proper screen design will help air flow more evenly distributed throughout the room.
• The top cover can be made in the form of a shelf for books, lamps, and interior items.
• The screen can be equipped with a folding table, where you can enjoy a cup of tea or read a book.
• By providing a cover with hooks, the owner of the shield will receive a clothes dryer during the heating season.

Armed with all the variety of materials on the market, their colors and textures, rich imagination and a little experience, you can create an exclusive screen that will fit perfectly into the interior and will perform all the functions assigned to it. Today, the openwork radiator model is quite popular.

How to do

Battery Screen Frame

• First, you should decide on the design of the screen for the battery: it can be made hanging or resting on the floor in the room.
• The next step is to make a drawing (by hand on paper) of the future screen for the battery, measuring the width and height of the battery, as well as the distance from the wall to the place where the screen panel is attached. To the obtained values, add: 3-4 centimeters on each side - to the width of the screen (this will allow air to circulate more efficiently),
• 2-3 centimeters - to the distance from the wall to the screen panel.

Painted screen frame

• 
  Battery Screen Box

  The battery screen itself is a three-dimensional box, the sides of which can be made of solid solids (chipboard, laminated chipboard, boards, plywood), and the top part with holes for the release of warm air. Therefore, when making a drawing, do not forget to also take into account the thickness of the material from which you will make the box.

• In exact accordance with the dimensions that you obtained in the drawing, saw (using a jigsaw or a hacksaw) the necessary elements of the box, then connect them together with metal corners (this will give rigidity to the entire structure).

Screen installation drawing

• Attach the screen bezel to the box using small nails. To improve the appearance, small slats can be attached around the perimeter of the panel, creating the appearance of framing it in a frame.
• Cover the sides of the screen with self-adhesive wallpaper, if necessary. The slats around the front panel can be coated with special wood compounds that give a suitable shade.

Battery screen resting on the floor

• Then you should fix the screen for the battery on the wall (if the screen is simply installed on the floor in the room, this stage of work is not relevant for you). The difficulty is that the screen must be removable, otherwise you simply will not be able to wash the battery later or get to the valves that regulate its heating temperature. Therefore, two hangers must be attached to the battery screen box from the back at the top. Next, place the finished screen on the battery and mark the holes for drilling with a pencil. Remove the screen, drill holes, hammer plastic dowels into them and screw in screws. All that remains is to hang the screen for the battery in its permanent place.

Heat reflective foil screen

• If you want to make a heat-reflecting screen behind the battery, then cut a rectangle from the foil backing exactly according to the internal size of the screen box. Then cut holes in it for the hooks coming out of the wall (the battery is held on them) and glue the resulting heat-reflecting screen to the wall (with the foil facing out).

Hang the screen in place and make sure that there is no foil peeking out from underneath it.

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Frequent painting and constant exposure to high temperatures worsen the appearance of heating radiators, and therefore they need periodic replacement. If, when making renovations in your apartment, you do not plan to replace the heating radiators, the problem arises of masking them with the help of decorative screens that are firmly fixed in the interior of the residential premises. When used as finishing touches, battery screens, along with traditional decorative elements, play an important role in creating a unified stylistic concept, since they not only focus attention on the advantages or hide flaws, but also expand the functionality of the interior details for which design they are used. Despite the wide selection of decorative screens presented on the construction market, experienced craftsmen advise against purchasing a ready-made design and making a screen for the heating radiator with your own hands, which will save a good amount of money and make it taking into account the size of the heating device being decorated and your individual taste preferences. To make this task easier, in this article we will look at how to make a screen for a battery with your own hands.

Content

1. Operating principle of heating radiators
2. Physical basis of the functioning of heat-reflecting screens
3. Advantages of screens for heating radiators
4. Types of screens for radiators: brief description
5. What to look for when choosing a decorative screen design?
6. DIY radiator screen: step-by-step instructions
   Materials and tools for installation
7. Screen installation diagram for radiator
8. Scheme for marking and cutting parts
9. How to assemble the screen?

Operating principle of heating radiators

At first glance, it may seem that a radiator covered with a box or decorative grille will cope worse with its main functional task, which becomes the most common reason for refusing to upgrade unsightly heating devices. Despite this, the experience of using decorative screens shows that the design, made in accordance with the basic laws of thermophysics, not only does not reduce, but also increases the heating efficiency. To make an effectively functioning battery screen with your own hands, let’s consider the basic operating principle of heating radiators.

The transfer of thermal energy from the heating device to the room is carried out in two ways:

• Convection, which is based on the mixing of warm and cold air flows;
• Electromagnetic radiation of the infrared spectrum, the power of which increases as the temperature of the radiator increases.

Old-style cast iron radiators work precisely on this principle, heating the air through convection processes. As the heating intensity increases, the ratio of radiant and convection energy changes, as a result of which heat transfer begins to occur due to infrared radiation.

The operation of modern radiators is based on a similar principle, but they differ in their ability to respond to environmental conditions and, adapting to them, redistribute energy in order to maximize its transfer. If maximum heat transfer is impeded by some external conditions, for example, a curtain that impedes air circulation, heat is redistributed towards the front panels, as a result of which heat transfer begins to occur due to infrared radiation. Thanks to this property, the operating efficiency of modern radiators is significantly increased.

Important! In order for the transfer of energy through convection to be as efficient as possible, the front panel of the screen, usually represented by a grille, must be designed in such a way that an air cushion is created between it and the radiator. Otherwise, warm air, which has an obstacle in its path, will partially accumulate inside, which will lead to disruption of heat exchange and heat transfer to the adjacent room. However, for maximum heat transfer, you need to pay attention to a number of details.

Physical basis of the functioning of heat-reflecting screens

In accordance with one of the basic rules of physics, a black body has the ability to maximally absorb and emit electromagnetic waves. This rule is also relevant for effective screens on the battery, since it must absorb infrared radiation from the radiator and, having good thermal conductivity, release heat into the room. Thus, from the presented example it is clear that the inside of the screen must be painted black, while the outside can be decorated at your discretion.

Let's consider the basic rules for designing a heat-reflecting screen, taking into account the basic laws of physics.

To achieve maximum thermal effect, the surface behind the battery is covered with a heat-reflecting screen, which should not be black, but shiny, due to which infrared radiation from the back surface of the radiator will be reflected from the wall and, passing again through the radiator, will heat up even more. Using this technique, you will significantly increase the level of heat transfer and, thereby, increase the efficiency of the heating radiator.

Despite this, the metal sheet does not ensure maximum functioning of the system, since it reduces unnecessary heat transfer only by 5-6 times. The most effective solution to this problem would be to install a heat-insulating mat made of fibrous material, for example, padding polyester, coated on both sides with aluminum. This design reduces the flux of infrared radiation onto the wall by more than 40 times. Experts recommend choosing synthetic winterizer, since the 5 mm thick layer of material prevents heat conduction and is a good reflector of infrared radiation.

For other fibrous materials, heat reflective mats will require a 3cm thick layer of material, which can create additional difficulties when placing the mat behind a radiator.

Advantages of screens for heating radiators

Before we begin making a screen for the radiator, let's consider the main advantages of this design.

• Using screens for heating radiators, the advantages of which will be discussed below, you get the opportunity to effectively disguise the radiators, creating a holistic interior concept and transforming your home;
• Prevent contamination of radiators, which will facilitate their operation and maintenance;
• Properly designed radiators will ensure uniform distribution of air masses throughout the room;
• By covering the radiators with a decorative screen, you will protect your household from burns and bruises in the event of a careless collision with heating devices and, thereby, ensure their safety;
• A variety of materials, textures, shapes and colors allows you to choose a suitable decorative solution that will be an ideal complement to the main interior concept.

Types of screens for radiators: brief description

There are several main classifications of decorative screens, the first of which involves their division into several groups in accordance with design features and includes:

• Screens in the form of a closed box are used in cases where it is necessary to completely close the radiator;
• Flat screens are used to mask radiators located in niches;
• Hinged screens for radiators are a design with a lid and are used to disguise unaesthetic cast-iron radiators that protrude greatly from under the window sill.

There is another current classification of screens for radiators, which involves dividing models according to the material used. Taking into account this classification, the following varieties are distinguished:

• Metal;
• Plastic;
• Wooden;
• Screens made of MDF lattice;
• Glass.

Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each of them.

• Metal screens most often look like a box, for the manufacture of which a thin sheet of metal was used. Despite their rather laconic and somewhat primitive appearance, they fully cope with their functional task. The modern market offers more expensive screens made of stainless steel, which can be diversified by perforation. To install metal screens, you do not need to have specialized skills, since they are simply hung on the radiator;
• Plastic screens , due to the diversity of the model range and affordable pricing policy, are the most affordable options for all segments of the population. However, experts do not recommend using them in residential areas, since when heated, plastic can release harmful substances;

• Wooden models are most often made to order from valuable wood species, taking into account a previously drawn up sketch. Due to their aesthetics and noble appearance, wooden screens are an ideal complement to a variety of interior concepts, including classic, rustic and modern eco-styles. The main disadvantage of wooden screens is their tendency to dry out and deform due to changes in temperature and humidity. To protect and prolong the service life of wooden screens, only high-quality wood is used, which is the reason for the high cost of the products. Radiators, complemented with wicker decorative grilles, acquire an aesthetic appearance;

• Screens made from MDF lattice are practically no different in appearance from wooden models, but they are much cheaper. Thanks to the use of modern technologies in their production process, MDF screens are a practical and, at the same time, affordable solution for many. MDF is a material whose quality is practically no different from wood, which can be used to produce screens of various shapes, colors and stylistic designs;
• Glass screens are exclusive models for the production of which tempered (stained glass) glass is used. Often such models become an unusual decoration of exquisite interiors. Glass screens are decorated with patterns that you can choose at your discretion, and require careful use and constant care.

What to look for when choosing a decorative screen design?

We have already noted earlier that installing any type of screen helps reduce heat transfer, which in the best case will be 5%. In this regard, remember that effective decorative screens for radiators should be characterized by the presence of the maximum number of holes, which will facilitate the unhindered movement of warm air.

To increase heat transfer from the radiator, it is necessary to install a screen made of foil material behind the battery. Thanks to this, heat will be reflected from it and enter the heated room.

Important! Experts recommend paying attention to another technique that reduces heat loss. It involves painting the inner panel of the screen black, so that the screen will absorb the maximum amount of heat from the radiator and release it into the room.

Due to the fact that radiators need to be washed and the water drained at the end of the heating season, the screen design must be easily disassembled and removable. This condition must be strictly observed, since frequent dismantling of decorative elements creates additional difficulties. In addition, the design must be such that free access to the battery valves is maintained. If you purchase a ready-made design, pay attention to the screen for the Leroy Merlin radiator, the model of which meets all the requirements listed above.

Ideas for making screens for radiators with your own hands

DIY radiator screen: step-by-step instructions

First of all, decide on the type of design you want. If the battery to be decorated is located in a niche, a flat screen is suitable for its decoration. In such cases, a decorative grille is selected taking into account the size of the niche and simply installed in it.

Most often, the batteries are suspended on a section of the wall under the window, and therefore it is recommended to give preference to hanging screens for radiators.

Materials and tools for installation

Among all the options for making a screen for a radiator, the most common is mounting a screen from MDF or chipboard. To make it you will need the following materials and tools:

• Chipboard sheets, the color scheme of which is in harmony with the interior of the room;
• Mesh, supplied in sheets, which will be used for mounting the front panel and side parts;
• Sheet of metal for making a reflective element;
• Nails and wood glue;
• Fastening elements represented by construction staples and screws.

Screen installation diagram for radiator

The simplest screen design for a radiator is a box in the form of a three-sided box, which is characterized by the presence of a lid on top and legs on the bottom. To assemble the screen, you need to mark the structure, cut out the parts in accordance with the resulting diagram, connect them and secure them.

Scheme for marking and cutting parts

• The first stage is measuring the width and height of the radiator. It is necessary to add 10 cm to the resulting width, while only 5 cm to the height. Taking these dimensions into account, the front panel of the screen is made. For installation, you can use a steel mesh, which is subsequently supplemented with an MDF profile;
• Next, measure the depth of the radiator and add 2.5 cm to the resulting value. The resulting figure is the width of the side panels of the screen, the height of which corresponds to the height of the front panel;
• The dimensions of the screen cover are measured in the same way, however, its dimensions should be 1-2 cm larger than the dimensions of the side panels.
• After taking all the necessary measurements, you need to start cutting the parts. To make the front profile, sheets of chipboard or MDF are used, from which rectangular parts 11 cm wide are cut out and, using a hacksaw, an angle of 45 degrees is formed where the parts touch.

Important! After cutting out the front profile, note that it is necessary to form multidirectional angles on it. Using this diagram, it is necessary to cut out all four parts from which the internal lattice of the decorative element is made. To fix them, use wood glue and additionally secure them with wood nails.

How to assemble the screen?

After you have completed all the previous steps and cut out the required number of parts, you need to assemble the decorative screen.

• To make a facade panel, use a mesh from which you can easily cut a part of the required size using a hacksaw. To decorate the edges, use a chipboard profile, which must be placed around the entire perimeter on the inner sides of the front corners. The side parts are assembled in a similar way.

Important! If you plan to use the top of the box as a shelf, choose a solid board for its manufacture; otherwise, give preference to options with holes designed to allow warm air to escape.

• Make the frame of the future screen using the drawings widely presented on the pages of construction sites. It must be securely fastened, and holes for pipes must be cut in the side edges, the center of the radius of which should be at a distance of 7.5 cm from the height and width of the side strip;
• Before you begin assembling the screen, you need to install a metal reflector screen at the back wall, the dimensions of which must correspond to the dimensions of the decorative screen. Thanks to this, you will prevent heat loss and redirect the flow of infrared radiation from the radiator into the room.
• There are several options for attaching a decorative radiator to the wall. This can be done by installing a stable frame, as described in our case; you can also attach the screen to anchor collets. The second method, due to the need to purchase expensive parts, is quite expensive.
• The gratings can be installed on legs that are attached to the bottom of the product using construction angles. This option has some advantages, since using adjustable legs, you can adjust the height of the structure.

We looked at a fairly common method of making a screen for a radiator with your own hands, for which you only need available materials. If you are not sure that the screen you have made will cope with its functional purpose, you can purchase ready-made models, for example, screens for Leroy Merlin radiators, made at the highest level and widely presented in construction and furniture hypermarkets.

How to make a screen for a radiator video

Selecting screen material

Before you begin the manufacturing process, you need to select the material for the cladding. The speed and ease of performing the work, as well as the efficiency of heat transfer from the battery in the screen, depends on this.

It is not recommended to use plastic because it has poor thermal conductivity, is not cheap, and is very difficult to process. In addition, such material may warp and become stained when exposed to heat, and after a few years it may lose its attractiveness.

Alternatively, you can use metal - an excellent heat conductor. It’s just that building a structure from this material requires skills and special tools.

Finished wooden screen facade

Wood is an environmentally friendly material that is easy to work with.

The only and main disadvantage is poor heat conductivity, which cannot be improved. But still, a properly made wooden screen can be quite effective. And beauty lies in the very texture of natural wood.

Some people use rattan to create this design. This is an environmentally friendly woven material made from dried calamus stems. Furniture made from rattan is especially popular. This material will also perfectly decorate the battery box.

Drywall is a good option, however, it quite often cracks and peels from overheating. But if desired, its condition can be improved and an excellent battery box can be made and finished in a variety of ways - to choose from.

Drywall battery screen

Screens made of HDF, MDF and combined

HDF and MDF are sheet materials of high and medium density. It is made by pressing small wood under the influence of heat and pressure. Such gratings are cheaper than models made of natural wood. Usually the box itself is made from sheets, and the screen is made from rattan or wooden mesh. It is important to understand here that a dense mesh with a small number of holes will have poor heat transfer, so special attention should be paid to the choice of mesh screen.

How does the heating system work?

If you are afraid that covering the heating devices with screens will make the room cooler, then this is not so. A correctly chosen design that takes into account the operating principles of the radiator does not reduce the degree of its heat transfer.

Heating devices transfer heat in two ways - convection (mixing cold and warm air masses) and radiant energy (the higher the radiator temperature, the higher the radiation power).

The batteries begin to heat the air first due to convection, but as the temperature rises, infrared radiation becomes more intense. Heating devices made with the latest technology are able to capture changing external conditions, redistributing energy flows to increase its transfer.

Let's say air circulation is hampered by a curtain or decorative shield. A modern radiator will begin to increase the temperature of the front panels so that heat transfer begins to occur not by convection, but by infrared radiation. This property significantly increases the efficiency of radiators.

For any type of radiator, it is necessary that the front panel of the decorative screen has many holes , and there is enough space between the panel and the radiator to form an air gap. This way, heat transfer through convection will not be disrupted.

If you place a substrate with heat-reflecting properties behind the heater, and make the back surface of the screen black, this will increase heat transfer due to infrared radiation.

How to increase screen heat transfer

Wooden screen with carvings

Heat is supplied by radiation in the IR range and due to flows of warm air - convection. Changes in the ratios of these two indicators can be influenced by changes in the temperature of hot water in the heating system, as well as the type of construction and external conditions.

Metal screen

Metal screen for battery

In order for the battery box to have good thermal conductivity, its interior must be painted black. Then it will absorb IR from the heating device and supply it to the room. Heat transfer can be enhanced by adding additional thermal shielding on the wall side. A heat-insulating padding polyester with one-sided aluminum coating is ideal for this. Such a material promotes reflection of the IR flow from the wall and practically does not conduct heat. The thickness of the material should be at least 5 cm. You can also use aluminum-coated foam, however, it is less practical and does not bend. Therefore, it will be quite difficult to tuck it behind the heating device.

Mistakes that are often made when making a decorative screen for a battery

1. Designs with minimal ventilation interfere with the normal conventional process. The resulting cushion of warm air further reduces heat transfer. With such a device there is a heat loss of at least 25%.
2. Design flaws. For example, when the battery is sewn up, everything seems to be fine, but the pipe remains outside. There is an obvious design miscalculation here.
3. A densely lathed screen with slats that are wider than the spaces between them is also uneconomical. In such designs, heat transfer is reduced by 7-10%.

Types of accessory

Depending on which installation method is chosen, there are three types of screens:

• three-sided box with lid (stand);
• flat panel;
• hanging screen.

If you need to completely hide the battery, use a design in the form of a closed box with a lid. A radiator in a niche or under a window sill is masked with a shield in the form of a flat panel. If the radiator protrudes from under the window sill, then use a hinged screen consisting of a lid and a flat facade.

When making a decorative shield, you can choose the following materials or combinations thereof:

• metal;
• tree;
• plastic;
• glass;
• MDF boards, chipboard, fiberboard.

A metal shield conducts heat well. A metal product can be given a very sophisticated look using perforation or welding according to the customer’s sketches. But to work with metal yourself, you need skills and equipment.

Wood screens are environmentally friendly and look noble. At the same time, wood is a malleable material, very easy to process. But wooden panels, when exposed to hot air and humidity, are prone to deformation and drying out, so you need to select high-quality, dried wood, and impregnate the finished screen with special products.

Plastic captivates with its availability, rich selection of colors, and ease of processing. But it is short-lived, deforms from high temperatures, and releases substances that are unsafe for humans. Therefore, plastic screens should not be installed where people live.

Tempered glass screens are durable, the glass itself is thick, with already processed edges. You can decorate the glass with almost any design and add LED lighting. Glass screens are classified as elite models and are not cheap.

MDF screens are the most common design option for heating devices. Plates made from the finely dispersed fraction differ little in quality from wood; they are easy to care for and easy to work with. MDF screens are distinguished by a rich color palette, variety of textures and styles.

When making decorative shields, creative craftsmen can use atypical materials, for example, thick fabric.

Branded or homemade?

And this is up to anyone. My good friend, Kulibin from God, made himself a whole set of universal nets, which he adjusted to his Chevrolet. But he is a hands-on fan with a lot of free time. He tried both rigidly fixed and removable structures, securing his crafts with screws or clips. Material: aluminum or plastic. Aluminum is light and durable, but a friend says that over time it quickly fades. Plastic is easy to process, but its strength is not so great. That's why his latest craft is made entirely of stainless steel! It looks decent, but it’s better not to ask about the cost and fuss...

As for the type of fastening, the removable screens are easy to remove for cleaning, but on the road they like to rattle obnoxiously. On the contrary, the tightly fixed structure does not make any sounds when driving, but, frankly, it is inconvenient to clean it.

Recommendations

The decorative screen should not interfere with heating the room, especially if the radiators are old. Panels with mesh, lattice or canvases with a large number of holes, which do not impede the passage of air, cope well with this task.

To increase the functionality, durability and visual appeal of the screen, raw materials can be combined.

The decorative screen protects from dust, but cleaning still cannot be avoided. When choosing a screen model, take into account cases of cleaning, planned seasonal work, and accidents.

Creating a decorative shield with your own hands will not cause difficulties if you understand the technology and have at least a little experience in carpentry.

To learn how to make a screen for a battery with your own hands, see the following video.

Installation of the outer grille element - metal frame

Window grilles are made both with and without an element such as a metal frame.

To produce a similar version of a window grille without a frame, use only:

• steel strip;
• reinforcing rod.

If you need to install bars on the windows of a country house, then welding and forging elements are unlikely to be needed. Especially if the house is simple, wooden. In this option, the vertical parts are located at a considerable distance from each other, so that natural light will not be obscured.

Grille without external metal frame

Step one. A metal strip 4 mm thick and 40 mm wide is used. But the length depends on the following factors:

• how wide is the window opening;
• how many crossbars are there in the lattice?

You will also need smooth reinforcement Ø 14 mm. The length of the reinforcing bar will depend on:

• on the required number of vertical elements;
• from the height of the window.

In addition, you will need to have a threaded rod Ø 10-12 mm.

To create the main grille (horizontal), you will need to stock up on two metal strips of sufficient length. Their size should be 5 mm less than the width of the window opening. The strips will need to be secured in the lower and upper areas of the grille.

The third strip will be installed in the middle part of the structure. This strip will become the connecting link between several middle or all reinforcement bars.

Step two. An auxiliary reinforcing bridge will need to be welded into the central part of the grille.

Step three. Now you need to process the metal strips, cut according to the required dimensions. The edges of the strips are rotated 90 degrees.

Step four. The edges of the strips are highlighted - approximately 10-12 cm. The edge is laid on the table and securely fastened to the metal tabletop. Through a gasket strip made of metal, that is, quite strong, this element is tightened with two clamps. You can clamp the strip in a large vice.

Tightening metal strips with two clamps

A gas wrench is used to grab the free edge of the strip and slowly turn it at a right angle. Such actions are carried out with each long side of the strip.

Step five. When the strips are prepared, markings are made on them in order to drill a hole, the diameter of which is 1-2 mm larger than the same parameter of the reinforcement bars. A hole Ø 15-16 mm is drilled.

Now the strip can be moved to make another hole at the same distance from the previous one. Such actions will be carried out until the last hole is drilled.

Step six. The holes are drilled, you can insert reinforcement rods into them. The grille elements are assembled into a common structure and fastened together by welding.

Step seven. When bending the edges, the mounting areas of the strips are highlighted. Markings are made on them to weld the threaded rods. Each of the pins should have a length equal to the thickness of the window block with an addition of 3 cm (1-2 cm should be removed from the edge). These additional 3 centimeters will be required to screw the locking nuts from inside the room.

Step eight. You need to weld the studs to the side of the strip that will press against the window frame. Welding should be a continuous seam. After welding, a nut will be immediately screwed onto the stud.

Assembling a grille with two transverse stripes

Step nine. To clean the grate from rust, use an iron brush. After this, each grille element is wiped with a degreasing solution. You need to wait until the solvent evaporates and the grate dries.

Step ten. Next, the window frame is marked and holes are drilled in the designated areas. Then the grille will be attached to the window block through welded pins inserted into the holes.

Step eleven. You can lift the grille and press it against the window block with the ends of the pins. Then there will be points on the frame that have the meaning of marks. Holes are subsequently drilled through these marks.

Welding studs

It is advisable to drill holes using a wood drill. Its diameter should be 2-2.5 mm wider than the diameter of the stud. Then the pin will fit freely but tightly into the “socket”. The drill must have a length that exceeds the thickness of the window block by at least 1 cm.

Step twelve. The grille is mounted on the frame. For this purpose, you will need to insert pins into the holes of the window block. From the inside, put washers of sufficient width on and tighten the nuts.

Video: How to make window bars with your own hands:

Stages of manufacturing a decorative screen for a battery

1. We measure the battery, making a small margin in height - 50 mm, and width - 100 mm. We cut the fiberboard exactly according to the measurements taken. Now the front of the box is ready.

2. Then measure the depth of the battery and add 25 mm. We cut the slab into two equal parts of the same size. The height should match the front of the plate. The lid needs to be made 12 mm in size. larger than the side parts, and by 25 mm. wider than the front

Preparing panels

3. After this, we make a hole in the front part, drawing a line from the bottom at 110 mm. and from above by 75 mm. The diameter of the holes on the opposite side of each line should be 12 mm. We cut out a square clearly along the lines, without going beyond the holes.

4. Along the entire part, we make a 45-degree cut with a saw. The end obtained by sawing can be used as a trim. The finishing is done in such a way that it reaches the opposite corner. This needs to be repeated several times until we get 4 identical pieces for the edges inside. To ensure a tight fit, trimming should be done only after trying on.

Making a box

5. After this, you can begin making the mesh for the window obtained in the box. It is made from both wood and metal. The main thing is to understand that its size should be slightly larger around the perimeter of the window - for internal fastening. If the mesh is ready, it can be connected to the front part.

6. Then we assemble the entire screen, connecting the front part with the side panels.

7. The legs need to be secured. They are cut from fiberboard. For convenience, the legs should be adjustable. They are placed on the inner front corners. After the box is ready, the legs are installed and adjusted.

8. In order for the structure to be strong and not move, it is secured inside with slats.

9. To maximize heat transfer into the room, a piece of metal mesh is cut out to fit the front of the screen and connected to the structure.

So the decorative screen for the heating radiator is ready. The process of making it is quite simple. The main thing is to choose the right and harmless material for its construction. After all, some materials during the heating process may be unsafe for health.

Putting the box in place

Installation stages and rules

You can install a ventilation grill with your own hands in a plastic or wooden window sill; installation in a concrete “board” will require much more experience and other tools. Otherwise, the grille is installed in a concrete window sill in exactly the same way.

Let's consider the nuances and stages of work for a plastic or wooden board and the same lattice. It is not necessary to remove the window sill to carry out the work. The direction of the slats (if the holes are slot-shaped and the slats are installed at an angle) should be towards the window.

A hole cut in the window sill for the ventilation grille

Tools you will need:

1. Marking tool (marker, pencil).
2. Jigsaw or grinder.
3. Glue for plastic (optional).
4. Any heavy object that can be used as a press (needed if the lattice will stick).
5. Drill.

The diameter of the drill bit must be larger than the width of the jigsaw blade (so that it can fit into the drilled hole).

Stages of work

The process itself looks like this:

1. Mark the place where the grille will be located.
2. Holes are drilled in the corners.
3. A jigsaw blade is inserted into the hole and a mounting hole is cut out for the grill itself.
4. The product is installed in the hole for “trying on”.
5. The edges of the hole are coated with glue.
6. The grille is installed in place and pressed.
7. The glue squeezed out along the edges is removed.
8. Any heavy object is installed on top of the grate as a press.

Hole in the window sill for installing a grill

Metal products (as well as some plastic and wooden ones) are attached not with glue, but with bolts.

Using glue is not an ideal solution - in this case the structure will be solid. If necessary (for example, if the plastic lamella breaks), the grille will have to be torn off from the surface.

You don’t have to use glue if the groove is perfectly even: so that the lattice “sits” tightly in it without moving. In this case, if necessary, it can be pulled out - for replacement, repair or cleaning.