Baseboard Radiator suggestions sought
Lateapex911
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Sorry if this has been discussed before, I couldn’t find any reference to it….
Does anyone have any sugggestions for baseboard radiator alternatives?
I’m remodeling a house, which has old cast iron 10″ high units, caked in paint, and they are not very good looking.
What options exist that are nicer than the slantfin type, but not wildly expensive?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Jake
Replies
Im unable to speak on pricing, but have you looked into cast iron baseboard?
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
you can always build a bench seat over them or decorative plant stands or whatever, look for a store that sells old fixtures and salvaged items they usually have lots of old radiators. here they will even buy the old ones for 2 bucks a fin.
You'll want to be careful about mixing and matching, if you'll replace some, you should replace all: the cast iron takes a lower temp and higher flow than the aluminum, or maybe the opposite.
Consider having them dip stripped.
The Runtels are nice but very expensive. There are some other equivalent types but I do not know the price difference. Bob's suggestion on the stripping makes a lot of sense. You also may not want a radiator that is out of the time period for your house, may look out of place.
J.
Edited 9/18/2002 1:13:09 PM ET by JALDEN63
Years ago, decades actually, when people ripped out rads and put in baseboard, they were highly disappointed. Baseboard heat is convection, rads are radiant, and far superior in comfort to baseboard. Don't make a fatal mistake, leave the rads alone!!!
Richard James Tolzman
You could consider radiant panels. They come in a 1" x 6" format that looks like a typical baseboard. I suppose you could even add some trim to cap it off like real baseboard.
As mentioned you need to consider how this would fit in with other radiators in the home. Could be you're in for some zoning or mixing valve expense.
Edited 9/19/2002 9:22:52 AM ET by CWTURNER
If the radiators and boiler are functioning properly, KEEP the radiators.
Look into stripping and refinishing them.
I have two cast iron radiators that a friend ripped out of his house.
There are several more to come.
Fyi, we have TWO houses with baseboard convectors.
They work fine.
Will I rip them out because I like radiators better ?
I think not.
But at some point the salvaged radiators will get a new lease in life.
Sooner or later.