6 DIY Baseboard Heater Covers (With Instructions)
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Baseboard heaters don’t have to be an eyesore among your carefully curated decor. Creative homeowners have taken a different perspective to make their heaters blend in and even enhance their space’s aesthetic, providing a world of possibilities. Still, it’s hard to see the final vision when staring at the unattractive blank canvas of a bare baseboard heater. Get inspired to spruce up your home with these DIY baseboard heater covers you can make at home!
The 6 DIY Baseboard Heater Covers
1. DIY Wooden Baseboard Heater Covers
| Tools: | Nail gun, jigsaw, table saw, drill, ½” drill bit, sandpaper |
| Materials: | 1x6s, scrap wood, nails, caulk, wood filler |
You don’t have to go with an ornate design to pull off these wooden baseboard heater covers. Quality materials, patience, and care will ensure the simple precision that yields professional results. Pick a style and color to match the molding or wall, and you’ll have a smooth installation to make you forget about the heaters hiding underneath.
2. Shaker Style Radiator Cover
| Tools: | Miter saw, circular saw, router, drill, level, combo square, clamps, chisel |
| Materials: | Wood strips, plywood, paint, L-brackets, screws |
The shaker-style radiator covers in this detailed walkthrough leave nothing to be desired in their thoughtful design. Hidden brackets, pocket screws, and a fresh coat of paint provide a seamless look. The creator explains extra steps and helpful tips for staying on track and avoiding mistakes. You’ll learn how to plan, account for faults and imperfections in the home, and make crucial decisions to guarantee your satisfaction.
3. Modern Baseboard Heater Cover
| Tools: | Saw, drill, nail gun, Kreg jig, rivet gun |
| Materials: | 1x2s, 1x4s, wood screws, nails, rivets |
Baseboard heating may lend an outdated look, but there’s no reason for them to stay stuck in the past. Give your space a fresh update with these minimalist yet elegantly dynamic modern baseboard heater covers.
The modern style is a delight because you can achieve a beautiful aesthetic with clean, undemanding geometry. There are no ornate details or complex cuts to worry about, making it a fulfilling project for experienced DIYers and novices. Bonus points if you follow the tutorial creator’s lead and update the molding to match and integrate your new covers into your scheme.
4. Easy DIY Wooden Baseboard Heater Cover
| Tools: | Drill, table saw, staple gun, rivet gun |
| Materials: | 1x2s, plywood backing, high heat spray paint, angle iron, screws |
A versatile look makes this DIY wooden baseboard heater cover a perfect fit for nearly any style. The cover is straightforward to assemble and presents a crisply defined setup. Heed the creator’s tips for protecting against the heat, and you’ll retain the color and form for the long term.
While the front faceplate is easy to design, the installation can be challenging for an underprepared DIYer. The instructions ask you to cut brackets from a piece of angle iron, and riveting them in place accurately may be awkward and demanding. But beyond that, the setup doesn’t need much more than accurate measurements.
5. DIY Custom Baseboard Heater Cover
| Tools: | Table saw, miter saw, router, drill, clamps |
| Materials: | 1x8s, wainscoting sheets, fasteners, wood filler, ¼” router bit |
A sheet of wainscoting adds dimension and direction to this mission-style baseboard heater cover. The construction is relatively easy, with the slot routing for the wainscoting sheet being the only potential complication.
If you like the style but lack the equipment, you can skip the routing and adhere the sheets to the wooden cross-slats. However you approach the project, including this classy and classic feature in your home won’t demand much time, effort, or precision.
6. Wood and Mesh Baseboard Heater Covers
| Tools: | Table saw, miter saw, oscillating saw, drill |
| Materials: | 1×12, trim, metal screen, screws |
Some baseboard heaters fade into their surroundings, but a touch of detail and a shiny mesh make this custom cover stand out. Following the designer’s approach, you’ll get plenty of practice ripping boards with this project. Of course, you can always start with thinner rails to remove a few steps and ensure more accuracy.
Add your favorite style to your covers with a personalized paint job and mesh screen design. The covers are a sensible build, at one time providing ample current for efficient heating while completely concealing the unsightly machinery.
Is Wood Safe for DIY Baseboard Heater Covers?
Putting wood against a heating element may seem like you’re begging for disaster. On the contrary, wooden covers offer some of the most attractive design options while staying perfectly durable against a radiant heater, provided you give them a bit of gap to keep the wood from contacting the fins.
Although wood is safe to use as a baseboard heater cover, it isn’t the most efficient for keeping the area warm. Wood is an excellent insulator, which is helpful in some instances, but not when standing between your heater and your room. By contrast, metal covers transfer heat readily, allowing you to conceal most of the heater without sacrificing performance.
If you choose wood, consider the airflow. You’ll need a gap at the bottom for the convection current to move under the heater and ample space above to release it into the room.
Baseboard Heater Cover Alternatives
If you’re looking for a simple update to those drab baseboard heaters that came with the house, you don’t have to put in all the effort to build your own (although it’s arguably the most fulfilling approach). Pre-made and easy-to-install baseboard covers like these options from NeatHeat are available online or in stores. You can also find custom, made-to-order metal and wooden products from local and national vendors.
Final Thoughts
Revitalizing the home from the ground up will make baseboard heaters a top priority. You’ll love the fun of crafting your custom covers almost as much as the final product. Measure the space, decide on your style, and take inspiration from these DIY baseboard cover heater plans to add some essential flair to how you heat your home.
Featured Image Credit: Sunrise Woodwork
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