No need to sacrifice beauty for comfort! How to choose decorative grilles for heating radiators
It's difficult fit into the interior heating system radiators. Painting the radiators in the same color as the walls or floors will not solve the problem.
Maintain the style of the room decorative grilles will help. Screens for radiators easy to attach, do not block warm air and fit well into any design.
Decorative screens for radiators: photo
Decorative grilles are overhead or built-in elements made of various materials that cover radiators and give the heating system an attractive appearance. By manufacturing method Screens are divided into groups:
- Designer. Made to suit individual room design.
- Standard. Produced according to standard designs in mass quantities.
- DIY. They are made by hand from scrap materials.
Photo 1. The designer openwork screen covers the heating radiator and fits perfectly into the interior.
Designer are made from expensive types of wood, tempered glass or metal. The price of the product can start from 20,000 and exceed 100,000 RURThe buyer overpays for the opportunity to own an exclusive, high-quality item.
Standard The grilles have no less attractive appearance. They are selected individually for the room design and fit perfectly into the interior. Price on the product below, and the quality depends on the manufacturer.
Photo 2. Standard plastic grilles look very simple, but they perform their functions perfectly.
Homemade The gratings are made at home in order to save money. With the ingenuity and experience of the master, the product turns out no worse than a designer one, but at a lower costHowever, homemade grilles are not always cheaper than store-bought ones. The price of materials is constantly rising, and the necessary tools are not always available.
Photo 3. An unusual homemade decorative screen for a radiator, made specifically for a specific interior.
High quality radiator grilles have their advantages:
- Give the room a design finished look.
- Do not interfere with heat exchange indoors.
- Withstand high temperatures.
- Safe for people and animals.
Important! When making decorative radiator grilles, the following should be used: only environmentally friendly adhesives and paints. Some types of glue and paints begin to emit when heated. phenol and formaldehydeThese substances are poisonous to the human body, they cause genetic pathologies and cancer.
Buy products only from well-known manufacturers, who value their reputation in the market. Modern and beautiful screens for radiators can be purchased in any specialized storeBefore purchasing, ask the seller to show you a quality certificate for the product.
Types of protective grilles for heating batteries
When choosing a decorative grille for your apartment or house, the design of the product is taken into account. several typical models:
- flat;
- wall-mounted without cover;
- wall-mounted with a lid;
- add-ons.
They are being selected to suit individual design features rooms, depend on the location of the radiators and their shape.
Flat
The simplest in design screen models. Suitable for decorating radiators that are mounted in a niche under windows. A mandatory condition is the presence of a large number of holes for the passage of warm air. Otherwise, convection is disrupted and the radiator loses its main purpose.
They are fastened flat gratings to the side sections of the niche wall, from above or below. They are made made of thin material, which easily transmits heat and has virtually no weight.
Wall-mounted without cover
Hanging structures are simple are placed on top of the radiatorThe model without a cover has a more open type and is suitable for decorating batteries located in a niche or standing separately from the wall plane.
The design without a lid has a major advantage - warm air circulation after decorating the battery is not disturbed. Heat rises upward, and cooled air descends. If the screen has a top cover and side walls, they delay natural convection.
Wall-mounted with lid
Wall-mounted models with a lid have completely closed structure. The top cover and side walls completely hide the radiator from prying eyes. The big disadvantage of such models is that when calculating the size of the fastening element for the radiator, it is necessary to additionally take into account the weight of the decorative screen.
Wall-mounted models can be attached independently to the wall using load-bearing bolts or clampsBut during repairs and general cleaning, it will be more difficult to remove the screwed structure.
Add-on with wooden ribs
Freestanding add-on model of decorative lattice It looks pompous, but it is suitable for batteries of any type. Despite its stability, such a product has quite big weight.
The advantage is that during installation there is no need to violate the integrity of the wall. The structure is placed at any distance from it. For greater stability be attached to the floorThe decorative lattice is used to make the screen of the box, walls and stiffening ribs are assembled from durable material - timber.
Add-on screens have the most complex designSome models have opening front walls so that the box does not have to be removed entirely during cleaning.
Materials for manufacturing
For the production of decorative radiator grilles heat-resistant and natural materials are used: metal, MDF, wood, glass, plastic.
Each of the materials has next to pros and cons, which are worth considering when choosing a screen.
MDF screens
Models from MDF board imitate real wood. The material is being manufactured from fine wood fibers, which are glued and pressed on a special machine.
Decorative grilles made of MDF have Pros:
- lungs;
- can be made in any shape;
- they transmit heat well and do not disrupt natural convection;
- can be easily covered with any paint.
Although MDF has the advantages of wood, it has a number of cons:
- the material is glued and when heated can release harmful substances into the air;
- When in contact with water for a long time, it swells and loses its shape;
- If manufactured poorly, it dries out and becomes deformed over time.
MDF grilles the most economical, and if you choose a quality model from a trusted manufacturer, then the product will last at least three years.
Wooden gratings
Natural wood gratings some of the most environmentally friendly and economicalThey are good. tolerate prolonged exposure to high temperatures and with proper processing not afraid of moisture.
Wooden decorative screens have Pros:
- transmit heat from radiators well;
- lightweight and easy to install;
- can be coated with paint or varnish and suit any design;
- match any room decoration;
- environmentally friendly;
- are available in various price ranges.
From cons the need is highlighted cover every few years wooden product protective composition: paint, varnish, impregnation. But it is not difficult to paint the grille, so this disadvantage is insignificant.
Made of glass
They manufacture premium class grilles made of tempered or stained glass. Models are made to order and can have different shapes and colors. Glass grilles in the form of paintings will complement the original design of the room. They have many fasteners.
Glass screens for radiators have pros:
- tolerate high temperatures well;
- have a unique design;
- do not fade over time;
- not afraid of moisture and mold.
From cons The following stand out: the fragility of the glass and the high price of designer models.
Product expensive but original.
Made of metal
The best option by price-quality ratio. Simple metal grilles are produced at a low cost. They are used in offices and other utility rooms. Decorative models that have an attractive appearance are more suitable for apartments.
Pros metal models:
- durable;
- do not require additional coating, as they are sold already painted or made of stainless steel;
- easy to care for;
- light and have simple shapes;
- economical.
From negative what stands out is that over time, as well as when in contact with moisture on inexpensive elements corrosion appearsBut if you choose a quality product and carry out timely maintenance, the grille will last. at least 10 years and will not lose its appearance.
PVC gratings
Cheap plastic grilles more suitable for a private home or small officeThe models do not have a variety of designs, but they are inexpensive and easy to install.
Plastic models have Pros:
- light weight of the product;
- low price;
- no need to paint;
- easy to care for.
Cons relate to products low qualityWhen heated, low-quality PVC screens emit an unpleasant pungent odor that can cause intoxication in humans.
They are available for sale combined types decorative grilles: made of wood and MDF, metal and glass. When choosing such products, it is worth considering the pros and cons of all the materials used in production.
Useful video
The video shows how to make a beautiful decorative protective screen for radiators.
Choose wisely
When purchasing a decorative radiator grille, initially the design of the room is thought outA screen is selected to match the finished interior. Average in price and high in quality — products made of natural wood. Economy option — MDF screens. Wood does not disrupt the natural convection of heated air in the room and does not emit harmful chemicals.
When changing the design wooden lattices in the room should not be thrown away. The product is easy is painted in a suitable color and after coating it looks no worse than new.
Comments
In use for two years already, during this time no stains, cracks or external damage have appeared. And visually they look very expensive and stylish.