A Complete Guide to Radiator Covers - Top FAQs Answered
• Stefie Liptrot
Outdated radiators can detract from the ambience and aesthetic of an otherwise lovely and welcoming room or space. To combat this, many choose to shield their old radiators from view by using radiator covers. Radiator covers are handy pieces of furniture that breathe new life into areas once hindered by old and unattractive radiators throughout your home.
If you’re looking for a solution to an ageing radiator problem, then you’ve come to the right place! At Big Furniture Warehouse, we want to help you maintain a stylish and modern home and keep up to date with all the features and benefits that radiator covers have to offer. Read on to learn how radiator covers can provide much more than just hiding old radiators.
Radiator Covers at Big Furniture Warehouse
Table of contents
- Do radiator covers block heat?
- Are radiator covers a good idea? The key benefits
- How efficient are radiator covers?
- How to fit a radiator cover
- Our best radiator cover personalisation tips
- Shop stylish and effective radiator covers at Big Furniture Warehouse
Do Radiator Covers Block Heat?
The primary concern shoppers have when looking into radiator covers is heat efficiency. Do radiator covers block heat from properly and efficiently travelling to warm a space or room? In a word, no. High-quality radiator covers are designed to allow for free and fluid movement of heat through carefully placed, ventilation slots on the face of the cover.
Any heat the cover absorbs is simply re-released. Heat will still rise through natural convection, so even with a cover over your radiator, you won’t notice a drop in temperature. Only poorly designed radiator covers will block the proper release of heat, so you can rest assured that covers from Big Furniture Warehouse won’t interfere with your house keeping warm.
Are Radiator Covers a Good Idea? The Key Benefits
Although radiator covers in our collection at Big Furniture Warehouse are as affordable as they are stylish, it can still feel like you’re forking out to fix a minor issue. That’s why we’ve broken down all of the key benefits radiator covers offer to a room or hallway.
- Mask unsightly radiators - Radiator covers are excellent at hiding away any radiators that look past their sell-by date, allowing you to incorporate a once uninspiring area into your overall decor and style.
- Room for customisation - If you’ve got space either side of your radiator, why not make the most of it? At Big Furniture Warehouse, we stock adjustable radiator covers in our collection. Simply expand beyond your radiator’s reach and fill any unnecessary gaps with stylish furniture.
- Add a personal touch - Covering aged radiators is the primary goal, but radiator covers offer a lot more secondary functions. The flat tops give you the room to customise and add your own touch to suit the design of your space.
- Additional storage - Our collection features radiator covers with built-in drawers, allowing you to reduce clutter and keep your space organised in an effective and stylish manner.
- Experimentation between rooms - Since most radiator covers are freestanding, you can easily move them between rooms until you find the perfect spot that meets your needs prior to fitting.
How Efficient Are Radiator Covers?
Radiator covers have a reputation for being inefficient, but this is a common misconception. When correctly designed, radiator covers can actually improve your home's energy efficiency. They work by absorbing the initial heat from the radiator and then releasing it more slowly and evenly into the room. This process prevents heat from rising and accumulating near the ceiling, ensuring it's distributed more effectively throughout the space. Additionally, by creating an insulating layer, they can help prevent heat loss through the wall behind the radiator.
Beyond just distribution, a quality radiator cover can help protect your radiator's valves from dust and damage, ensuring your heating system operates smoothly and efficiently for an extended period. Ultimately, the right radiator cover from Big Furniture Warehouse won’t hinder your heating; instead, it will help you get the most out of your heating system while adding a stylish touch to your decor.
How to Fit a Radiator Cover
Once you've chosen the perfect radiator cover and it's arrived, it’s time to get it assembled and fitted.
Note: Only begin the fitting process if you’re happy with the location of your cover. It’s always a good idea to test your cover freestanding to get a feel for how it fits the style of each potential space.
You don’t need to be a DIY expert to get the job done! All our radiator covers at Big Furniture Warehouse come with a simple self-assembly kit and easy-to-follow instructions. Anyone can put our covers together easily, so you can enjoy your new piece of furniture in no time.
To securely fit your radiator cover to your wall, just follow these simple steps:
- Mark the spot: Place the assembled cover over your radiator and use a pencil to mark the position where the brackets will be attached to the wall.
- Drill and anchor: Drill your wall at the marked points and insert the wall plugs provided in your kit.
- Attach the brackets: Screw the brackets into the wall, ensuring the curved shoulder of the bracket is facing upwards.
- Test the fit: Gently lift the cover and rest it on the grooves of the brackets to ensure it fits securely.
- Secure the final brackets: Once you're confident with the fit, drill and attach any remaining brackets to complete the installation.
Our Best Radiator Cover Personalisation Tips
The most exciting part of bringing radiator covers into your home is the opportunity to style them and display them in ways that complement your existing decor. We’ve listed a few recommendations below, but with radiator covers from our collection, the interior design world is your oyster!
Decorate with Ornaments and Photos
Adorning your radiator covers with your favourite ornaments, photos, and plants helps transform them from useful pieces of furniture to multi-purpose items that enhance the entire space. Finding places to display your ornaments and pictures can be difficult, but this provides the opportunity to place them front and centre in your hallways, living room or guest spaces.
Add Some Sophistication
It doesn’t just need to be ornaments and photos on top of your radiator covers. In fact, you can elevate the style and sophistication by displaying your finest items for all to see. Indulge in old-money-esque luxury with decanted Scotch or show off your fine china that you’ve accumulated over the years. In the summer, when you’re relying less on your central heating, radiator covers can even be the perfect platform to display gorgeous flowers and other house plants.
Explore Your Creativity
Do you fancy yourself as somewhat of an artist? Then, a radiator cover is the perfect canvas to express your talent and add a personal touch to your interior design. It may sound slightly peculiar, but customising your radiator cover with a new lick of paint and artistic alterations can help truly make a space feel like your own. Add whatever feels right to you and show off your skills and inspiration to friends and family.
Shop Stylish and Effective Radiator Covers at Big Furniture Warehouse
Radiator covers are more than just a simple solution for an eyesore. As we’ve explored, they’re a versatile and affordable way to enhance the style, safety, and energy efficiency of any room. From adding a new decorative surface to protecting little hands from hot surfaces and ensuring your heat is distributed effectively, the benefits are clear.
Ready to find the perfect cover for your space? At Big Furniture Warehouse, our curated collection is designed to suit every home and style. Whether you’re looking for a small cover to discreetly blend in or a large, striking piece to make a statement, our range has you covered.