radiator enclosures- wood vs. metal

[Deleted User]

I want to add radiator covers to the steam radiators in my house. They get very hot, and we have 2 very curioius 1 year olds who we're trying to protect.

I know that most common enclosure designs will cut down the heat output (I've read the Hot Tech Topics info on enclosure design), but my question is re: wood vs. metal enclosures-- will wood cut it down so much as to be a problem? And with wood, would something like an oak plywood be ok, or would it need to be solid oak?