Radiator fitting

ktj

Advice desparately needed.

We need to fit a radiator in a bedroom. The only place that it will go is on a corner on a wall at right angles to some built in fitted furniture, specifically a built in chest of drawers. To allow the drawers to open the front of the radiator must project no more than 50mm. out from the wall that it is attached to -- and this is our problem.

I have researched radiators on the web and even the thinnest project out from the wall 75mm. The problem is not so much the width of the actual radiator but rather the distance the bracket holds the radiator off the wall. If I could manage to obtain brackets that did not project out quite so much or somehow modify the existing ones my problem would be solved. However I've no idea how I might do this.

Has anyone out there managed to solve a similar problem? Or can anyone suggest anything that I can try?? Any ideas very greatly received.

Obviously the cost of having the built in furniture refitted means that this is out of the question.

mech_2

Hmm, the radiator in the room I'm in right now is only protruding 55mm. It's an old radiator though, so not very helpful, I admit.

I've just had a look online and the problem seems to be that even if you find a single panel radiator without fins on the back, it shares the same construction as those that do. Ie: the inlet is welded onto the back of the radiator increasing its depth, rather than being integral as with the 20 year old radiators I have here. Maybe you could find an old second hand one and give it a new coat of enamel? You'd need the brackets that go with it too though.

If it's on a solid wall, you could try moving it closer to the wall by knocking off the plaster where the brackets go rather than trying to alter the brackets (you won't see the hole as it's behind the radiator). This should get you at least an extra 10mm, but probably not 25mm.

Failing that, is there nowhere in the room that you can fit a vertical radiator? By which I mean this kind of thing: http://www.discountedheating.co.uk/shop/acatalog/Stelrad_Vertical_Radiators_1800mm_High.html

Cardew

IIRC radiators should have a sufficient space around them to allow the air to circulate; and modifying brackets and/or wall to get them closer to the wall will stop that.

Also getting them closer to the wall might create problems with the plumbing connections.

If you can live with those restrictions it should be a fairly simple job to modify standard radiator brackets which are cheap mild steel. Simply bend them so the 'arm' is closer to the wall at an angle and ensure that the end on which the radiator hangs is turned to the correct angle.

On my radiators I could disconnect the pipes and literally push the radiator at an angle of 45 degrees so that it was closer to the wall.

ktj

Thanks for ideas. :T

Attic room therefore nowhere tall enough for vertical radiator. Looks like the only possibility is to try to modify brackets or attachment to wall.

Will give it ago - wish me luck.

mech_2

Cardew's method sounds excellent and does sound the best way to hang the radiator. It just didn't occur to me to bend the brackets at anything other than a right angle. I feel a bit foolish now. Bravo for a simple and elegant solution. I can now bear this in mind if I ever need to do something similar.