Screen on the heating battery: a protective and decorative element

Screen on the heating battery: a protective and decorative element in the room

Most apartment owners are owners of old-style heating batteries, which perfectly cope with their function, but have an unpresentable appearance. The screen on the heating battery will help solve the problem, which will not only hide an unsightly radiator from the eyes, but will also become an important part of the interior of the room and at the same time perform a protective function for the owners of the room.

Special screens will help to radically transform the appearance of the radiator

Why do I need a screen for a heating battery

An integral attribute of the heating system are radiators. The principle of their operation is based on the radiation of thermal energy, which is transmitted to the room in two ways:

• by means of convection, which involves the air exchange of cold, coming from below, and hot, going up, flow;

The screens are designed to protect against mechanical damage, this is especially important for fragile cast iron radiators

• using electromagnetic radiation of the infrared spectrum, the power of which increases with increasing radiator temperature.

The air from cast-iron radiators is heated by convection processes. With an increase in the intensity of heating, the ratio of radiant and convection energy changes, and significant heat output begins to be carried out through infrared radiation.

When choosing decorative screens for heating batteries, it is important to start from two components: aesthetics and thermal conductivity

Despite the fact that radiators are an integral attribute of the room, very often they have an unattractive appearance and a design that is traumatic for others. You can solve these problems with the help of an overlay on the battery.

The radiator grille performs several functions:

• protective;
• decorative;

The screen protects the coolant and closes access to it for small children or pets

• hygienic;
• reflective.

Often, the design of heating radiators is represented by protruding parts, sharp corners and control valves. All this is especially dangerous for young children. Also, the high temperature of the heating device can cause a burn. You can hide a potential source of trouble with the help of a protective grid. On the other hand, many modern batteries, for example, aluminum or copper plate radiators, also need protection from all kinds of mechanical influences, since the structure can easily be deformed as a result of falling objects.

The screens allow you to decorate the heating equipment, providing an attractive interior to any room

Most radiators, especially the old model, do not fit into the modern interior of the premises. Due to the presence of a decorative grid for the battery, the heating device will acquire a more attractive appearance. The radiator design is very inconvenient for cleaning. Small debris, dust, and pet hair accumulate in cavities and hard-to-reach places. The grille on the radiator will help reduce the likelihood of dirt and dust entering its cavity.

If the screen has a sufficient number of holes and cutouts, which must be correctly positioned, have a back wall made of polished metal, it is possible to increase the convection of the heater by reflecting infrared radiation from the wall into the room.

It is important to choose a screen option that will look good in the interior, will be able to completely close the structure and fit under the window sill

Important! In order for the radiator screen to provide the maximum supply of warm air from the heater, its design should be of a lattice type, without an upper cover and with a sufficient gap in the lower part of the battery.

Varieties of grilles for radiators

Despite the fact that the radiator screen has a number of positive characteristics, it has one significant drawback. The grille is able to absorb some of the heat that comes from the radiator, thereby making its operation less efficient. However, with the right choice of the shape and material of the product, it is possible to significantly reduce heat loss when installing the screen.

The screens for the heating battery are a decorative screen that can be made of different types of materials

Depending on the shape of the structure and the type of attachment, the grille can be:

• hinged without top cover;
• hinged with lid;
• flat;
• in the form of a box.

Often flat screen versions are used by designers to give the interior exclusivity and originality

The first option is used for batteries that are located in a niche. Such structures do not need special installation and ensure the maximum process of heat exchange of air in the room. The second type is installed mainly on the radiator protruding from under the window sill. The screen on the cast-iron battery allows you to give the heating device a more aesthetic appearance, but reduces the amount of heat transferred.

Flat products are attached to the wall, covering only the front side of the radiator. The upper, lower and sides remain open. If it is necessary to completely hide the radiator, you should use a screen in the form of a box, which can be attached to the wall or placed on the floor.

Experts recommend using screens in the form of a box if you need to completely hide the battery from prying eyes

The price of a screen for a heating battery depends on the material of manufacture. Depending on this, the lattices can be:

• metal;
• plastic;
• wooden;
• glass;
• made of MDF.

A variety of materials used for the manufacture of screens allows you to find the most suitable option for the interior of the room

Options for mounting a decorative grille on a heating radiator

The screen can be mounted in one of the following ways:

• the embedding method;
• mounted method;
• by the box method;
• in an auxiliary way.

The method of installing the screen on the radiator

If the radiators are recessed into pre-prepared niches in the wall, which saves space, it is necessary to use inset grilles. The element is fixed in front of the battery in such a way as to create a small gap on the side walls. The size of the product is selected in such a way that the niche can be blocked along the perimeter.

Related article:

Which radiators are better for an apartment: a detailed analysis of the modern market

Types of batteries. Rating of popular models of radiators. Tips on choosing and pricing radiators 

When the heater is located on the wall, a hinged cover should be used, which is fixed directly to the battery with the help of special hooks. Thanks to this solution, the most convenient access to the battery for possible repairs is created.

Important! The weight of the hinged screen should be minimal so as not to create additional load on the battery.

The screen is easy to install on its own and does not need special care

The most massive design is a side screen, which is installed near the radiator, closing it from all sides. The product can be represented by several grids, which are attached to the prepared frame from four sides. Due to the fact that the structure can be easily pushed aside, the process of cleaning the battery is facilitated.

The battery box is represented by a kind of drywall niche, into which a radiator is built. Next, the battery is completely closed by a grid with a sufficient number of holes. The disadvantage of this method is significant heat loss.

Metal screen on the heating battery

Metal gratings are characterized by the greatest demand among consumers. This is due to the practicality, durability and low cost of products. However, there are also expensive products made of stainless steel using artistic forging. A metal product is most often presented in the form of a thin-sheet metal box, which is hung or attached to a heating radiator, which does not require specialized skills when installing the structure.

The most reliable and at the same time easy option to reduce heat loss in the room due to the use of a screen under the window sill is metal

Useful advice! The period of operation of the metal grating depends on the quality of the product coloring. Screens painted by powder spraying have the best characteristics.

Metal battery screens on the construction market are presented in a wide range of colors and various configurations, which allows you to choose a product for any interior. The main advantage of the metal construction is the good thermal conductivity of the product, which contributes to minimal heat loss. Metal gratings are not prone to deformation under the influence of high temperature. Screens are easy to clean, it is difficult to leave non-removable stains on them.

The disadvantage of metal screens can be considered an unpresentable appearance of inexpensive products. Pads with a perforated pattern will cost much more. You can buy a metal decorative screen for a battery from 2000 rubles, depending on the size of the product. Also, due to the significant weight of some models of the design, it is not recommended to hang the grille on the radiator.

The cost of the screen depends on its size. You can buy a metal screen for a 700×400 mm heating battery from 1650 rubles., 1800×400 mm – from 4200 rubles., 700×800 mm – from 2100 rubles., 1800×800 mm – from 5200 rubles.

The market currently offers the widest selection of metal screens — from simple to exclusive options

Wooden battery screens: Eco-friendly room decor

The most common option is wooden decorative grilles on the battery. The products are characterized by environmental friendliness, quality and presentable appearance. High-quality screens made of expensive wood species, such as oak and beech, will not only provide reliable protection for radiators, but also an unusual decoration of the interior of a room decorated in a classic or country style.

Wooden screens can be enameled, varnished, tinted or painted. Braided decorative grilles look good, which is clearly shown in the photo of decorative screens for radiators. It is better to choose products coated with a water-based coloring compound without harmful impurities in order to exclude the possibility of their evaporation and ingress into the room air when the structure is heated.

The main disadvantage of wood linings is the tendency to dry out, caused by temperature changes, and the subsequent deformation of products. This applies mainly to inexpensive items. For high-quality screens, wood is used, which is previously well and properly dried, which certainly affects the cost of the product. You can buy a screen for a battery made of wood from 2200 rubles.

Wooden structures are often installed in children’s institutions. To ensure sufficient heat exchange, the screen must be mounted at a certain height from the floor, and holes must be provided in the upper part of the product.

Wooden protective screens for radiators can best realize their decorative function

Low-cost wooden grilles for the battery are made of rack-and-pinion material that passes the air heated from the radiator well and performs a protective function. You can buy a screen for a cast-iron heating battery on average 1500 rubles.

Glass decorative screens for radiators

Glass screens on batteries are exclusive models, for the manufacture of which tempered glass is used. The thickness of the product is 8 mm, so it is very difficult to break it. Due to the fact that a special laminated protective coating is applied to the screen, the structure will remain intact even in case of damage. The surface can be easily cleaned with simple detergents, which will not affect the appearance of the product.

The mirrored screen will just perfectly fit into the interior of any room and will easily give it a finished appearance

The edges of the screen are durable and safe for further operation. Glass screens contribute to maximum heat transfer without interfering with convection. The surface of the product is resistant to mechanical damage, which allows you to maintain the pristine appearance of the screen for a long time.

Useful advice! When choosing glass screens, it is recommended to give preference to products made of triplex, which have increased strength and safety.

Glass products, which are made using a special molded technology, can be of different shapes, colors and transparency. There are models with LED backlight. This design is an unusual and exquisite decoration of the interior, which is clearly displayed by the photo screens on the heating batteries. The price of the product depends on the size and thickness of the glass, the installation option and the method of drawing. So the cost of 1 sq. m. of a transparent screen will be from 8.5 thousand rubles, color and matte – from 11.5 thousand rubles, with a pattern — from 13.5 thousand rubles.

Useful advice! On an individual order, you can make an image on the screen in the form of your own portrait.

Glass screens are one of the best options for achieving environmental friendliness and safety, but their price is much higher

Glass screens can be attached to the wall or have a special stand. Acrylic screens are especially popular today, which, due to their light weight, can be hung on a radiator. Despite the fact that this is a budget version of glass screens, acrylic glass is characterized by high performance.

Grilles for the heating battery made of MDF

Many people want to have solid, presentable and eco-friendly wooden grilles in their home, but the price of the product is very biting. In this case, preference should be given to decorative screens for MDF batteries, which are included in the category of budget designs. You can buy a grid for an average of 1000-1200 rubles. However, not all products are made of MDF. Framing is mainly made of this material, and the insert can be made of metal or wood, which affects the heat transfer of the screen. The more holes there are in the insert, the higher this indicator will be.

The screen for the heating radiator made of MDF is made of perforated panels, which are framed by a frame made of a profile of the same material

The grate is resistant to temperature fluctuations, high humidity and high temperatures without visible deformations of the product. Decorative screens on the battery, photos clearly confirm this, are available in various shapes, stylistic design and colors, which makes it possible to choose a product for any interior. However, the MDF lattice is characterized by a large weight, which excludes the use of hinged structures. Another disadvantage is the complexity of removing the system, which makes it difficult to clean the radiator.

Plastic screen on the radiator

Plastic decorative grilles for radiators are popular among different segments of the population. This is due to the diversity of the model range and democratic pricing policy. The main advantages of such products are durability, moisture resistance, corrosion resistance, low weight and ease of maintenance. Due to the fact that the product does not deform under the influence of high humidity, plastic screens can be installed in bathrooms.

Plastic gratings have low thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. When heated, the product can be deformed. This is especially true for budget options. In this regard, plastic screens are often made of heat-resistant dense and durable material that can withstand temperatures of 60-80 degrees. However, this leads to significant heat losses. You can buy a battery screen for only 250 rubles.

Useful advice! The plastic box on the battery can emit harmful substances when heated, so it is not recommended to install it in living rooms.

When choosing plastic screens for radiators, it is worth paying attention to its heat resistance and fusibility

Plastic screens can be installed in non-residential office premises. For more efficient heat transfer, it is recommended to choose products in which the lattice bars are located at an angle. Another disadvantage of screens, especially for products in light colors, is the yellowing of the material.

Making a screen for a heating battery with your own hands

With their own hands, the screen on the battery is mainly made of chipboard or MDF sheets. For the front panel, choose a metal mesh of any configuration. Also, for installation, you will need sheet metal to create a reflective element, fasteners in the form of construction staples and screws, carpentry glue and nails.

Before you make a screen for a radiator, you need to make measurements

At the first stage, the radiator dimensions are measured. 10 cm is added to the resulting width value, and 5 cm is added to the height. These data are parameters for the future front panel of the screen. To obtain the width of the MDF side parts, it is necessary to add 2.5 cm to the depth of the radiator, and the length of the products will be equal to the height of the front panel. The dimensions of the upper part of the screen should be 1-2 cm larger than the dimensions of the side panels.

Useful advice! For good heat exchange, the top of the box should have holes.

Based on the data obtained, rectangular products are cut out of MDF or chipboard. At the points of contact of the parts, an angle of 90 degrees is formed. Holes for pipes should be provided in the side faces. The facade part in the form of a metal mesh is decorated with facets of chipboard around the perimeter of the structure from the inner sides of the front corners.

Decorative grilles can be made independently by choosing the material and color suitable for curtains and wallpaper

The next stage is the assembly of the structure. A reflector screen is installed at the back wall, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the decorative screen. It serves to prevent heat losses and redirect the IR flow from the battery into the room. Fastening of all elements of the frame is carried out with the help of special glue.

The decorative screen can be attached to the wall with the help of anchor collet or attached to the radiator. For the second option, special legs should be provided in the lower part of the structure, which are attached with the help of construction corners. This method not only creates a mobile structure that can be moved away when cleaning, but also allows you to adjust the height of the screen relative to the radiator.

It is quite possible to make a screen for a radiator that not only does not worsen the heating, but also improves it on its own

Thanks to a wide range of decorative grilles for radiators, you can choose the most suitable option, which will not only be an ideal addition to the interior, but also decorate the battery and become reliable protection from possible injuries. Also, when choosing a product, you should be guided not only by aesthetic considerations, but also give preference to a design that should not worsen the heating characteristics of the device.