Choosing the right material for your radiator cover is crucial for enhancing both the warmth and style of your home. With options ranging from wood and MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) to metal, each material offers unique advantages in durability, heat efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This guide aims to compare these popular choices, helping you understand their benefits to make an informed decision. Dive into our analysis of the best materials for radiator covers and find the perfect match for your space's needs and your personal style.
Explore the best materials for radiator covers: efficiency, mounting and aesthetics compared
What types of radiator covers are there?
In this blog, we will discuss the three most common materials in radiator covers: wood, MDF and metal. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of function, but there is also a big difference in terms of appearance. Here you can find all the pros and cons in terms of installation, colour options and thermal conductivity.
Metal radiator cover
A metal radiator frame is sleek and totally on-trend. This version of radiator covers is becoming increasingly popular (and we get it!) because metal is a good conductor of heat and is easy to apply in different interior styles.
Easthetics
Depending on where you buy your radiator cover, there are of course different designs. At Sentimo you can choose from over 45 different colours and 3 designs. These radiator covers are powder coated, which ensures a nice and smooth result. You can choose from standard RAL colours, RAL colours with a fine structure for a matt effect, or Stone Look colours for an extra special look.
Efficienty and heat conduction
If you choose to cover your radiator with a radiator cover, you want to think about losing heat. Adding a cover to your radiator can cause heat loss, if you choose the wrong one. A metal radiator cover is easy and quick to assemble and does not cause heat loss. Metal is one of the best conductors of heat, where wood can block it.
Mounting
A metal radiator cover from Sentimo can be mounted on an existing radiator with magnets within 5 minutes. So it's a snap! If you want a metal radiator cover, Sentimo is a great solution. A metal radiator cover is not easy to make yourself. Sentimo offers three different designs, so you can still give your radiator frame a personal touch that fits in with your interior.
Wooden radiator cover
Another common material for a radiator frame is wood. This option is obvious, because you can make (almost) anything out of wood!
Easthetics
You can of course paint wood yourself in the exact colour you want. However, it is important to use the right type of wood and treat it properly. You want to enjoy your radiator cover as long as possible, so it would be a shame if the paint starts to wear off after only a short time.
Efficienty and heat conduction
With a radiator cover made of wood, you should be careful not to cause too much heat loss. A small amount of heat loss is almost unavoidable with this version of radiator cover, because wood cannot take over the radiator's heat. As a result, radiant heat is largely lost. Convection heat can be retained if you use proper construction. This means that the airflow from the radiator should be blocked as little as possible. So never completely seal your wooden radiator cover!
Mounting
A wooden radiator cover is of course fairly easy for many people to make themselves. With wood, you can go in any direction, which ensures that you can make your wooden radiator cover completely according to your wishes. A good construction is a must. Of course, you also need enough time and patience. Maintaining the wood is also important. Wood needs good protection against external influences because it can warp due to heat.
Radiator cover made of MDF
MDF (Medium Density Fibre board) is another version of wood. MDF consists of wood fibres from different types of wood that are pressed together with synthetic resin to form flat boards. This makes MDF an inexpensive alternative to wood.
Easthetics
Like wood, you can paint MDF the colour you want. MDF does not have the natural wooden look, so painting is a must. When painting MDF, though, you should bear in mind that using a good primer is recommended. These often take a long time to dry, so patience is a must.
Efficiency and heat conduction
The same applies to an MDF radiator cover as to a wooden one: make sure it is well constructed. It is important to make enough openings in the radiator cover to allow air to pass through.
Mounting
MDF is slightly easier to work with than normal wood. This also makes making a radiator cover from MDF a bit simpler. Also, MDF cannot warp and is a fine and smooth material.
Our top pick: the best material for your radiator cover
When looking at our three main points to think of when choosing a radiator cover, we can conclude there is one top pick: a metal radiator cover. This one scores best on heat conduction, easthetics, mounting and efficiency since it is easy to assemble, has lots of different colour options and is the best heat conductor.
The only downside is that it is hard to make yourself. But you don't have to! Just order your own online at Sentimo. We'll do the hard work and you only have to enjoy the new look.