It is perfectly safe to put things above a radiator. As long as you leave at least a 5cm gap above the top of the radiator to allow the heat to circulate properly. The more empty wall space you leave above the radiator the better.
BestHeating would recommend leaving 50mm above, and 100mm below your radiators, to make sure they offer the most efficient and effective means to heat the room they occupy.
With so many different-sized radiators now available, there are likely to be several possible places where you could put your radiators. We recommend however that nothing is positioned above the radiator and that 100mm below should be left clear so heat from the radiator can be effectively distributed.
Yes, it is safe to put things above a radiator provided that you leave a small gap of 5cm or more between the top of the appliance and the item or the shelving. With that said, you should look to avoid placing things directly on top of a radiator for any significant period of time when the central heating is turned on.
The furniture would prevent heat from being distributed freely throughout the room, and could be damaged over time from the close exposure to heat. You should attempt to leave around 6 to 12 inches (15-30cm) between any furniture and your heating appliance to ensure free movement of air and better distribution of heat.
Wooden shelves such as pine and birch are great options for radiator shelves. MDF is also commonly used for radiator covers. This is because wood is a natural insulator, so it will not get too hot if you accidentally touch the shelf when walking past.
Preventing heat damage
It's recommended to maintain a gap of at least one foot (12 inches) between your furniture and radiators.
Yes, shelves can slightly reduce heating efficiency if placed too close. However, with proper placement, they can help direct heat more evenly into the room.
Measure the height of your radiator and add 50mm to calculate the required height measurement for your radiator covers. When measuring the height of your radiator, you may find that your floor isn't level. Be sure to measure both sides of the radiator, especially if the radiator measures 1800mm or longer.
This is something most of us learn in school and it helps to explain why radiators are located underneath windows. As the hot air rises from the radiator, the cold air that is coming in through the window pushes against the warm air, circulating it around the room much more efficiently.
For the most effective and efficient distribution of heat, BestHeating would recommend leaving a clearance of 50mm above, and 100mm below your radiators. By creating clearances of these sizes at either end of your radiators, you can guarantee the warmth emitted from them will be able to travel around the room freely.
For your radiator to be efficient with a cover you should ensure there is enough space between the radiator and the cover. The radiator cover should, if possible, be wider than the radiator by at least: 5cm in width. 3cm in height.
If you're using wood, be aware that it might warp, particularly if you place it directly on the radiator. You can also install a wall shelf just a few inches above the radiator — try using an IKEA LACK shelf or something similar. Alternatively, you can find a piece of wood you love and install it with wall brackets.
Add a pelmet or shelf above
You could try a similar thing and add a custom-made pelmet in a shape of your choice, or a simple narrow shelf to turn dead space into a useful surface.
The radiator heater may not be set up immediately underneath wall sockets; we suggest a safe distance of 30 cm as a guideline value. Ensure that the radiator heater is not covered during operation, as that would cause a risk of fire.
There should be at least a 5 cm gap between your radiator and the cover to allow room for airflow and even heat circulation. A poorly ventilated cabinet will trap heat, both reducing your radiator's efficiency and increasing energy costs.
Installing a Radiator Cover
It's a good idea to have enough space between your radiator and your cover so the heat can be distributed more evenly. The gap between the radiator and the cover should be at least 5cm in width, 3cm in height and 3cm in depth to ensure it won't affect the BTU output.
Avoid “hot spots” – pictures should not be hung above radiators or any other places in the house where temperature will fluctuate from hot to cold. Changes in temperature can cause paper and wood to dry out and adhesives to fail. Avoid hanging the picture in humid or damp conditions.
Like with radiators, fitting shelves above storage heaters could help to push heat forwards into the centre of the room and away from the ceiling. It could also help to stop dust from discolouring the wall above the heater.
Don't cover your radiators
Remove any objects on them or underneath them, whether that's clothes or furniture sitting too close. The reason to do this is that radiators work on the principle that warm air rises by natural convection.
Having adequate ventilation is essential for safely mounting a TV over a radiator. The temperature that the TV is exposed to is lowered with the aid of adequate air circulation. Make sure there is enough room for air to travel between the TV and the radiator if you are thinking of setting this up.
The last measurement you should check is the distance from the face of the fan to the radiator. There should be at least 1 inch of clearance between the two. This is to accommodate normal engine and radiator movement, and also the flex that occurs in the fan blades at higher engine rpm.
Avoid putting furniture in front of your radiator as this blocks the heat and stops it from being able to travel to other parts of the room. Instead, keep furniture at least 60 centimetres away from radiators so that heat can freely circulate around the room.
Radiators should typically be mounted so that the foot of the radiator is positioned a minimum of 150mm from the floor – though anywere from around 100mm x 150mm should suffice if your space allows.