Is It OK To Put A Shelf Above A Radiator?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Any shelve above a radiator is a bad idea

! It affects the air circulation of the radiator. Cool air enters at the base and has it warms up it leave or rises to the top pass the vains and circulates the warm air into the room. A shelf fitted above interrupts the air flow.

Can you put a piece of wood on a radiator?

Use it. The

top

of a radiator can be the perfect place for a built-in shelf. When a piece of wood or stone is placed on top, a bulky radiator becomes a handy side table or bookshelf. If you're using wood, be aware that it might warp, particularly if you place it directly on the radiator.

Can you put wood over a radiator?

Because wood is a good insulator, wood radiator enclosures

will not transmit heat to the degree

that metal covers will. So, if your house is so cold that it needs to take advantage of every BTU that your radiators can offer, you may not want to choose wood covers.

Can covering a radiator cause a fire?

Water radiators

generally will not start a fire

because they do not become hot enough. However, fragile materials placed close to or on a water radiator can burn. For example, thin plastic near a water radiator might warp because of the radiator's heat.

What is the best wood for a radiator cover?

WHICH WOOD SHOULD I USE FOR A RADIATOR COVER? For a radiator cover to cope well under heat, it is recommended that you use

MDF

. It loves to keep dry and it hates moisture.

Can you put a bookcase in front of a radiator?

Bookshelf. If you are considering whether to put a bookshelf in front of the radiator, then do spare a thought for the health of your books. Not only is

high heat and paper a potential fire hazard

, repeated exposure can also dry out the spine of your books causing pages falling out.

What can I put above a radiator?

  • antique table with a distressed white finish sits over the radiator.
  • bathroom shelf used for various accessories.
  • cat shelf and play zone to keep the kitty warm.
  • concrete shelf with a firewood department.
  • IKEA Ribba picture ledge hack as a radiator shelf.

Where should you not put a radiator?

Keep It Away From Furniture

Wherever you choose to put it, try not to position your radiator

behind large items of furniture

, such as the sofa or cabinets. Doing so will restrict the flow of hot air around the room.

Do radiator covers stop the heat coming out?

Do radiator covers block heat?

No, a cover does not block the heat from your radiator

. A radiator heats a room through by warm air rising from the radiator to the ceiling, which is then moved around the room and heating it.

Can you leave clothes on a radiator?

The simple answer is –

YES

! Using your radiators or a towel rail to dry clothes will make your boiler work harder than it really needs to, adding to the overall running costs of the system.

Can I put stuff on my radiator?


It's safe to put furniture in front of a radiator as long as there is at least a foot in-between them

. You should be extra careful with leather, wood, and upholstered pieces of furniture, though, as leather can get ruined and upholstery and wood pieces will absorb most of the heat- perhaps catch on fire, too.

Can I put wet clothes on a radiator?

Scientists warn that people could be helping mould to thrive by drying their clothes on radiators. … ‘And damp clothes

should not be dried

on storage heaters or convector heaters because this can be a fire hazard. ‘ So a warning to all of us drying our clothes inside.

Are wooden radiator covers safe?

Wood, you see, is a terrible material for a radiator cover's efficiency because it absorbs so much and doesn't conduct heat very well. … There was a time back when I was a lad when building an MDF radiator cover was the done thing, but come on people, there is plenty of good science behind it and

wood is a bad choice

.

Can you put plywood on a radiator?

You will need to use a

strong wood material that can withstand the high heat output from the radiator

, such as 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4′′ plywood with a birch veneer. The birch veneer will allow you to easily sand and paint (or stain) the unit.

Can you cover radiator with plywood?

The front of the radiator cover should be made of 1”x 3” or 1”x 4” knot-free boards, while the sides and top can be made of

sanded plywood, cabinet grade plywood or MDF

(medium-density fiberboard).

Can you have a sofa in front of a radiator?

You can put a sofa in front of a radiator, but

you must make sure it is at least one foot away

. Keeping this distance is important, as it allows heat to circulate through the room properly and protects your furniture from any damage from the heat of the radiator.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.