Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 14, 2005 03:57am | #1

   I am NOT a heating expert.. However, I have hot water heat.. I made some built-in's many years ago over the baseboard (cast iron about 12 inches high... not copper)...

   I made sure I had air flow to bottom of the radiators and if I recall, about 6 inch air flow above.. I used some sheet aluminum behind the radiator.. From the floor and curved to flow above the radiator to the front of the cabinets.

   I have a removable grill for cleaning.. I have animals and HAIR! It gets everywhere...

   Not sure but I never noticed any problems heating the room... However... I can't put chocolates or wax candles on the bottom shelf in winter!

1. 
   Wilson | Jun 15, 2005 12:46am | #3

   thanks - had the same idea but want to know if others had sucess or failure

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 14, 2005 04:17am | #2

   I have made a lot of radiator covers over the years. What I have done is take thin sheet aluminum, start it on the back (2-3" from the top), curve it over the top, and mount on the front edge of the radiator cover (about an inch or so from the top).

   Then, when building the cover, I always make sure there is 1 1/2" or 2" space between the floor and the cover.

   I originally got this building advice from a heating expert, and I remember he said this design wouold aid in the flow of convection currents -- kind of pushing the heat out into the room.

   The system works really well, and I would think a variation of this approach would work equally well for baseboard heating units.

   ********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   Wilson | Jun 15, 2005 12:47am | #4

   good suggestions - thanks

3. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 15, 2005 06:27am | #5

   I have baseboard radiant heat in my home.   All cabinet bottoms are lined with sheet metal, covered with drywall on the bottom, completely unseen from the front.  This allows heat to flow out without damaging the woodworking.  3 1/2 years without a notion of a problem.

   Jeff

1. 
   Wilson | Jun 15, 2005 11:38pm | #6

   thanks for sharing encouraging news. I was planning a drywall/sheetmetal combination to create a hot air plenum. glad to know you have not had problems with a similar concept

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 16, 2005 01:34am | #7

   Wilson

   I got the tip from an old timer who's been building AND installing built ins for about 40 years.  He had been treating the bottoms this way for years, without incident.  Just make sure you don't box the heat in, so it can escape.  I build some attractive feet for the front of the cabs in my house.

   Jeff