Almost all residential areas have heating batteries. Quite often they have a not very attractive appearance, which can spoil even the most stylish interior. When changing batteries is very expensive, but I want every detail in the room to look beautiful, decorative screens for heating radiators come to the rescue.
What is a screen for a battery?
The screen for radiators is a decorative solution, which is designed to improve the heating zone. In addition, the item performs a protective function. This is especially true when there are small children in the room.
Decorative screens differ among themselves not only by the manufacturer, but also by the material of manufacture, size and method of fastening. To create a protective element, wood, plastic, acrylic, glass or metal are used. Screen sizes for radiators depend on the number of battery sections. But most often the parameters of the decorative part are as follows: 600 x 300 mm, 600 x 600 mm, 600 x 900 mm, 600 x 1200 mm and 600 x 1500 mm. Here you need to remember that the screen itself can be both more battery and less than it. This point depends on the design of the scenery.
Wooden screens
Protective elements made of wood are the most widespread, since such decorative screens for radiators for heating do it yourself is not difficult. It is enough to have only the necessary materials. Sheets of plywood, particleboard, MDF or natural wood are suitable.
The most common type of wooden screens is made as a grill. This is a regular rectangle inside which any pattern or pattern is cut. Also often found are whole wooden boxes that are worn on a radiator. True, the cost of these screens, if you do not do them yourself, is not entirely budgetary.
Glass screens
Such decorative screens are made of transparent or frosted glass. It is quite thick, it is difficult to damage it. Drawing on a decorative screen is applied using airbrushing or 3D technology. Also quite often, such glass models are chosen for photo printing, decorating the batteries with panels with bright patterns. For example, for children, they stop at images of characters from popular cartoons.
Acrylic screens
These models of decorative screens do not differ from glass in quality. True, they are much lighter in weight, they are much easier to install. Acrylic is also thicker than glass, so such screens take up a bit more space.
Drawing on the surface is applied using airbrushing, 3D technology or photo printing. Therefore, the picture is as bright and beautiful as on glass screens.
Plastic screens
Plastic is a budget material, so the prices of such screens are among the lowest. In appearance, such decorative elements resemble wooden ones. The main advantages of plastic screens for heating radiators are: affordable price, a wide variety of shapes and colors. Also, airbrushing or ZD-drawing can be applied to the surface.
The plastic screen does not dry out like a wooden one. But it quickly loses its clear shape due to the frequent temperature difference. Therefore, such screens are recommended to be changed every five years.
Metal screens
Decorative screens for metal radiators are the most durable among all the models presented. They are not subject to corrosion, are not afraid of temperature extremes and low humidity, and the service life is not less than the battery life. Such decorative screens are made of aluminum or stainless steel.
The only drawback of metal models is the high price.
The role of screens in interior design
Decorative screens for heating radiators (photo-example can be seen above) are designed to perform the following functions:
- Visual. Screens help not only hide inconspicuous radiators, but also significantly transform the interior of the room. Thus, they make the home visually more stylish and attractive.
- Protective. The screen is a kind of barrier that prevents contact with a hot battery. Thus, it increases the level of safety, but does not interfere with the generation of heat.
- Hygienic. The screen minimizes the likelihood of dust and dirt getting on the radiators, which not only spoil the view of the room, but can also cause corrosion. And the decorative element is much easier to wash.
Ways to install decorative screens
Installation of decorative screens for heating radiators is carried out depending on the design features. It could be:
- An accessory box that completely hides the heating equipment.
- Hinged screen with cover. It is used most often in cases where the battery protrudes strongly from under the windowsill.
- Hinged screen without cover. It is installed when the battery does not peek out from under the window sill.
- A flat screen covers the radiator, which is mounted in a niche (for example, from drywall).
Based on this, decorative screens can be installed in different ways: to the wall, to the floor, to a niche. Then you need to drill holes, put screws in them and tighten them. There are also designs that move to the radiator, and at the top are simply attached with small hooks. Hinged decorative screens generally do not require special fasteners. As a rule, they are hung on radiators and held at the expense of a curved shape.
Some models can be installed without the help of masters.
Making a decorative screen yourself
Instructions on how to make a screen for your wood heating radiator yourself:
- Prepare wood slats, self-tapping screws, nails according to the type of dowels, plywood, a stapler for furniture, slats or thin twigs, a hammer, PVA glue, a screwdriver and a hacksaw.
- Measure the size of the battery. You need to know its width, height and depth. Add a few centimeters to the resulting numbers.
- Measure the distance from the wall to the future screen and also add a few centimeters so that the air circulates well.
- Create a frame from the rails.
- Mount the frame to the wall using self-tapping screws.
- Attach plywood to the sides of the frame.
- Make a decorative lattice from thin slats or rods. To do this, first make a frame. And already on it you can attach rails.
- Attach the finished grid to the frame.
As you can see, a decorative screen can be easily made independently. But if you want more sophisticated design solutions (for example, forged elements on the front or a colorful print), you will have to go to specialized stores.