Radiator Cover for Burnham-Style (Radiant) Radiator

BrianH_1978

Hi all,



I want to make a radiator cover for the radiator in my 10 month old's room.

He is crawling around and getting into everything; I am hoping a cover will

help to protect him from the hot surface.



The thing about this radiator is that it is a Burnham-style (radiant) radiator, with both

(1) built-in air inlets+outlets at the top+bottom to create a convection effect, and

(2) an outer metal cover that delivers radiant heat.



Example of this style of radiator:

      <a href="http://cdn.usboiler.net/products/baseboard/radiant/">http://cdn.usboiler.net/products/baseboard/radiant/</a>



I will probably use a traditional aluminum grill to cover the air inlets+outlets, but

I'm thinking I may try to use a plexiglass sheet when shielding the metal cover, as

that way the radiant heat can still get through.



Any thoughts on whether this is a good idea / will allow the radiant heat through?

Jason_13

Cover

Why not just buy theirs?

BrianH_1978

Clarification

Sorry, maybe my question was unclear ...



I already have a Burnham-style radiator with the manufacturer's metal cover in place.

It's installed in the wall and works reasonably well.



I want to put my own cover in front of it to prevent the baby from touching the hot metal.



The plexiglass would go maybe an inch or two in front of the manufacturer's metal cover.

BrianH_1978

Concept

I figured I'd put my own protective frame about 1" to 2" in front of the existing front cover.



The frame would consist of a grill at the bottom and grill at the top, to allow airflow, and

a plexiglass sheet in the middle.



 

Do you guys think the plexiglass sheet would transmit the radiant heat?



Or just trap hot air between the plexiglass and manufacturer's metal cover?

RobG

Sorry

Brian, this may sound callous, but millions of of children have grown up with radiators in their houses. I for one did, and as my father told my mother when she worried about the same thing, he will only touch it once. If your child is handicapped I would figure out a way to cover the radiators, if not, 160 degree water will not cause an injury before the child can remove their hand. Once again, people have lived with radiators for centuries. I have never heard of a child getting burned from a properly functioning radiant system.



JMHO,

Rob

Steamhead

You might try

a fireplace screen in front of the radiator.