Replies

1. 
   rjw | Nov 26, 2002 04:56am | #1

   Are you sure it's steam heat?

   Do the existing radiators have a little valve at the top or half-way up?  First is hot water heat, second is steam.

   Is there a Hartford loop (Little steam heat trivia there{G})

   If it's really steam, I don't think you can use the baseboard heaters, but I'm not 100% on that.

   ________________________________________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde

2. 
   TLRice | Nov 26, 2002 04:24pm | #2

   I have seen low, compact radiators, about 10 - 12 inches high, once in a turn of the century library (Polo, IL) that was renovated. I have never seen new ones for sale, though I haven't looked very hard. One option is to find a specialty salvage outfit and see what they have.

   Tim

3. 
   wflather | Nov 26, 2002 05:20pm | #3

   Steve, you may find that these radiators are not cast-iron, but aluminum.  Look for radiant baseboard and see what you find. 

   Burnham Base-Ray manufactures cast-iron baseboards.  These are a couple inches deep and perhaps 7-9" high.  I also don't know if they would work with a steam system.

   Burnham's website indicates that these are compatible with either steam or hot water:

   http://www.burnham.com/radiator/58100.cfm

   
   

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   Edited 11/26/2002 9:52:10 AM ET by WFLATHER

   
   

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   Edited 11/26/2002 10:05:16 AM ET by WFLATHER

1. 
   SteveInCleveland | Nov 26, 2002 05:43pm | #4

   Thanks for the replies everyone.  Two answer a couple of questions that were asked....Definitely steam heat, definitely cast iron (the old tall one we carried out took two guys).

4. 
   Frankie | Nov 27, 2002 02:07am | #5

   Burnham Base Rays work great. Another brand is Governales (sp?). When you go to the supply house to inquire they may be able to suggest an alternate if these are not available in your area. By mentioning these names though they will know what you are looking for.

5. 
   Bruce | Dec 02, 2002 04:28am | #6

   They're still made, and they are indeed cast iron.  I was raised with them (installed in the '50's), and a friend of mine installed them in Northeast Harbor, ME, just a few years back.  Manufacturer?? No clue.  I'll pick my brain, and post back here if I come up w/ something, but don't give up if you want them ... they're out there.  And I can say, having lived with them, that they were very effective, quiet, and trouble-free.

6. 
   Bruce | Dec 02, 2002 04:33am | #7

   I'm baaaack ... and here you go ... cast iron baseboard radiators.  Burnham is one of the plumbing trade's biggest suppliers ... shouldn't be too hard to come by.

   http://www.burnham.com/radiator/58100.cfm

1. 
   SteveInCleveland | Dec 02, 2002 04:51pm | #8

   Thank you everyone for all of your help!  It looks like we will be going with a Burnham BaseRay radiator.

1. 
   wflather | Dec 02, 2002 07:47pm | #9

   Just for the record, here is a site that sells radiant baseboards, thin profile with shaped top that looks a lot like regular baseboard trim.  Listed as "copper clad aluminum" and look like an alumunim shell with copper pipes reflective mesh.  Don't know if they are compatible with steam like the baseray.  They also carry other hydronic heating products like towel racks and modern standing radators:

   http://www.hydronicalternatives.com

   Lousy website.

7. 
   Bruce | Dec 04, 2002 04:52am | #10

   Thought I'd add a note about installation.  Here's what my parents did ...

   Set the radiators up on a clean, staright 1x2 (the width being the actual thickness of the radiators) and then set a piece of quarter round along the top joint between the radiator and the wall.  Now paint the works the same color as your existing baseboard.  Caulk the quarter round in real pretty.

   The 1x2 does a couple of good things.  It prevents the existing floor from appearing under the radiator so, in the case of a hard floor, if you have to refinish/replace it, you don't have to remove the radiators.  It also gives you a great stop to butt carpet to.

   I guess this scenario doesnt work so hot if your home has stain grade trim; in our case, we had tall, white base.  The base and radiators all got the same semi-gloss alkyd enamel.  Obviously, pre-painting everything before installation will put you way ahead. 

1. 
   SteveInCleveland | Dec 04, 2002 05:27am | #11

   Thanks for the great tips!

8. 
   riverr1 | Dec 04, 2002 06:26am | #12

   I don't know where you're from, but Carter Lumber's plumbing side can get them.

   Don