replace baseboard convectors?

LongTownFellow

Val, I've had both fin-tube and cast iron baseboards in two different houses. I can tell you, hands down, the cast iron baseboards are SUPERIOR. I just bought a cast iron baseboard for a new basement bathroom (weil-maclain), and it cost me 25 bucks a foot (uninstalled). Fin-tube is MUCH cheaper, but not nearly as comfortable.

On a cold winter's day, standing in front of a warm cast iron radiator is like standing in sunshine.

Valerie

replace baseboard convectors?

I probably have the terminology all wrong, but I hope I can make myself understood. We have a forced hot water system, boiler(?) 6 years old, which we're happy with. Problem is, the copper fin tube baseboard convectors (?) are at least 20 years old, huge and UGLY. Is it possible to replace these with the newer, smaller ones I've seen? Would it require a huge outlay of cash? I live in Maine if it matters. Thanks, Val

Steamhead

If you want to replace them

why not upgrade to cast-iron baseboard? Burnham, Slant/Fin and Weil-McLain all make this wonderful stuff. It will increase your comfort level and may permit the water to run at a lower temperature, saving fuel.

You should not mix cast-iron and fin-tube in the same system if possible- definitely not on the same zone.

Cast-iron costs more than fin-tube, and may require some piping modifications, but if that were my house I would not hesitate to install it.

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chris smith

baseboard

yes you should be able to have this done no problem, click on find a contractor, he will also be able to show you some other neat options you might like, towel warmers, pannel rads, outside reset control, there are a few of us from maine on the wall, good luck and enjoy

chris smith

paradise porter maine

Valerie

ballpark figure?

Thanks for the info....I was wondering if I could get some kind of idea about what this would cost, maybe on a per foot basis(?)for a mid-priced product and labor. I'd hate to waste folks time asking for an estimate unless I have SOME idea about what this would cost. Thanks! Val

Mark J Strawcutter

eye of beholder

It's somewhat unusual to hear copper fin tube baseboard referred to as "huge and ugly". Such is usually reserved for cast-iron radiators :-)

I suspect you're talking about replacing with the european stuff that looks like 1x6 baseboard with two water channels/pipes.

Cast iron baseboard that others have mentioned is taller and thinner than conventional baseboard, but you'd probably still consider it "huge and ugly".

No way to tell from here if switching would involve a "huge outlay of cash". As suggested, use "find a contractor" to locate someone in your area. They'll need to do heat loss and other calculations since the output of the new emitters will be different than that of the old.

Me, I still like cast-iron radiators :-)

Mark

Valerie

cast iron radiators..:)

Dear Mark,
I, too, like cast iron radiators! Unfortunately, the previous owner of my house took them out and replaced them with what is there now. Maybe my terminology is incorrect, but we had something called a petite 7 installed in my dining room, which appears to perform the same function as what is in the rest of the house, but is smaller and more attractive looking. I've also seen something that looks like baseboard molding, which is kinda nice. It's great to know that there are others in the world that find beauty in those old radiators...Val