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Baseboard in the way

jimh1094
jimh1094 Member Posts: 3
edited February 2019 in THE MAIN WALL
I’m installing a built in bookcase on a wall that has an existing hydronic baseboard. The room gets plenty of heat so I have no concerns of heat loss. My question is what are my options in blocking this baseboard with the built in? It’s in the way but I can’t remove it as I don’t have access below and it’s part of a larger loops I don’t want to just block it with the bookcase because of the potential for too much heat build up so I was hoping for a way to stop the heat output all together in the section that I’m installing the bookcase. I was thinking I could remove all the aluminum/metal components, maybe the fins too? and just wrap the remaining copper pipe with insulation. Then just box in it in and I can build my bookcase. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    That'll work. If it's just the pipe it'll probably be in the toe kick area anyways.
    I'd just build a platform out of 2X4's (if it's at least as high as the pipe), build the bookcase on top of that. Then you can put the baseboard trim on either side.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    jimh1094
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,485
    Remove fins from baseboard (best) or wrap aluminum foil around the fins. If air can't pass the fins=little or no heat
    jimh1094
  • jimh1094
    jimh1094 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks. That's exactly what I was planning STEVEusaPA. Thanks for the visual.
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    I'd do with @EBEBRATT-Ed said and wrap that with foil and maybe still insulate. Trapped heat could affect glue and laminates.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,297
    If at all possible remove that baseboard. God forbid something goes wrong it wont be pretty getting to it!
  • ComfEffic
    ComfEffic Member Posts: 3
    Definitely insulate and be careful removing fins as the copper is thinner on baseboards than normal piping. Plan for future access is a good idea.
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    pecmsg said:

    If at all possible remove that baseboard. God forbid something goes wrong it wont be pretty getting to it!

    What do you think would go wrong, as opposed to a copper line in the walls or ceilings?
    At least this way it's protected by the bookcase, unless damage happens during the installation. No nails from flooring, carpet or trim, no nails/screws from hanging a picture.
    If I were building it, I'd make is so the whole bookcase could carefully slide forward on the 2x4 sub base, if needed and out of the way.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • jimh1094
    jimh1094 Member Posts: 3
    i guess if i just left the baseboard alone i could build up the base of the bookcase enough to allow airflow to the baseboard from the front and maybe an inch our two on the top of the base board. the problem is the baseboard is about 9 inches tall so from the floor to the bottom of the new bookcase would have to be about 11 or 12 inches to allow for airflow and for the heat to escape. I think 11 or 12 inches may look weird though. Any thoughts on this approach?
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,791
    How 'bout a bottom shelf a few inches above floor level & a false wall on the face of the baseboard with a gap of a few inches between the top of it & the next shelf? Basically box it in but leave a gap for air to leave? You could make it removable in case you want to get in to it for any reason.

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