Almost all the houses have a heating system inside. The baseboard Radiant Heating system is of a common one among many. Your home may have a baseboard heating system that comes with heating elements. These are usually placed along the walls in each of the rooms.
Usually, the cover for these heating elements is made from metal ingredients. But not everybody would love the way it is. If you are also one of those people who want to decorate the baseboard heat cover with wood, then you have come to the right place.
The idea is to cover the heating element with wooden particles and leaving enough spaces on its front to exhaust the heat from it. If you are wondering how to make wood baseboard heater covers by yourself, we can help!
What Is a Baseboard Heater?
Before we jump into crafting a wood cover for a baseboard heater, let’s get to know about it up close and personal, shall we?
The baseboard heater is a pretty common and ideal home heating solution available. You need a very small space for it to place. These are less likely to make any noise; these are safe and save a significant amount of energy. Moreover, it’s very easy to install.
They come with a power of 500 to 2000 watts. That means you can warm up around 50 to 200 SFT of an area with these heaters. You can place a single heater to heat up the whole house, or you can go for individual purchase for every single room. That includes even the hallways and corridors.
If your requirement isn’t going to be fulfilled by the existing models, there is room for custom made baseboard heaters depending on the specification of sizes.
How to Make Wood Baseboard Heater Covers?
So how do you make a wood cover for the baseboard heater? Here are the steps that you need to follow.
Step 1: Measuring the Baseboard Heater
First, you need to measure the length of the baseboard heater. You need to note the measurements down somewhere to cut the wood cover from top and front with accuracy.
Then you need to pry the front cover and the metal caps of the baseboard cover you have. If you want protection for the wall, you can leave the backplate there.
Step 2: Making Legs for the Heater
You should clean up the dust and dirt from the heating elements. Use a vacuum cleaner for it. The wood end boards should be cut as the legs for the heater. Now keep the boards on a table saw and slice the wood around 4 to 6 inches wide.
The height should match according to the height of the heating elements. You should consider cutting them longer than the elements which can allow you to make a shelving unit for extra space.
Step 3: Creating Notches
Now cut down a few notches, preferably 2 to 3 pieces. Each 2 inches long. Use a jigsaw for this part. It will make way for more heat to pass through the sides. Cut the top cover according to the heating elements’ height. Nail the covers until you feel it secured.
Step 4: Supporting Board
You need to have a supporting board that will be measuring 1 inch in width and 1 inch in thickness, and matching the heating elements, as well. Cut the wood according to this measurement. Now put a stud finder on the wall to identify the studs and attach the support to the studs in the drywall.
Step 5: Attatching Wooden Board to the Support Board
Now, it’s time for the top and end wooden boards to get attached to the support board. Slice up another support board to attach it to the middle of the wood top so that it can act as the leg for the cover in the front.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
Now, slice the front cover according to the length required. Measure the height that is needed to reach the wooden cover. Now remove 4 inches of wood from it.
The front cover should be nailed to the wooden support, and the board ends; spare 2 inches of area on the top area. Place a copper on the top and bottom for the heat to pass through easily.
That’s pretty much all that you need to do! However, to protect the wood, you should sand it with 220-grit sandpaper. Then put a clear wood stain to protect the cover.
How Does a Baseboard Heater Work?
An electric baseboard heater is actually a zero power heater. Most of these models are placed beneath the windows.
In this place, the air that rises from the heater comes into contact with the cool air from the glass of the window. This counteracts with the cooler air here. The controlling thermostat is placed within the same room.
The heating elements within these heaters are covered by metal sheaths. These are surrounded by aluminum for better transferring of heat. It runs by a convection process. This process basically draws cooler air towards the bottom of the heater. The air gets warm and then gets out of it.
Basically, there are two types of baseboard heating systems.
Electronic baseboard heaters: These heaters work for one per-room system. These perform better than the single heating system.
These are operated on the theory of radiation and airflow. Moreover, these heaters being used in individual rooms can alternate the temperature of different rooms individually, which a central heating system can’t provide.
Hydronic Baseboard Heater: A hydronic baseboard heater is equipped with a metal-sheathed element that can transfer the heat through heat-transferring liquid and via copper tube consisting of aluminum fins. This whole set up promotes maximum heat transfer.
Why Is a Baseboard Heater Preferred?
Apart from the great performance of warming up your rooms, a baseboard heater is preferred because of its ease of installation.
You don’t need to go through a load of works. Some of the popular models are directly mounted on your floor surface. No matter what sort of floor you have, it just perfectly places itself on it.
It is also easier to maintain. There are no parts inside that requires movement. That means you need to give less attention to breaking and wear and tear. These types of heaters need occasional cleanup; that too is a very easy task to do.
Final Words
Now that you know how to make wood baseboard heater covers, it’s time you took some steps to change your old baseboard covers.
Refer to our ‘type of baseboard’ and ‘how it works’ sections to get a clear idea of what you are working on. Once you can match the type with an amazing finished wood cover, it will enhance the beauty of your room like never before!
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