Renovations: From Floor to Ceiling

Sometimes a room just doesn’t feel finished until you’ve given it the finishing touch. That could be a variety of things: curtains, rug, the right end table or focal point nicknack on a shelf. But we believe that renovations from top to bottom should cover the very bottom: the baseboard heater. A baseboard heater doesn’t have to be a rusty, dated eyesore hidden dangerously behind a couch or other piece of furniture, that both hinders actual heating and creates a bit of a fire hazard. The good news is that you can, in fact, tastefully cover a baseboard heater.

Baseboard heater covers of all types can be replaced, in as little effort as it takes to do yearly cleaning or maintenance. There is no need to replace the existing unit, the process simply replaces any damaged or aging covers without need of tools or advanced knowledge. The main thing to consider in covering your baseboard heaters is size and compatibility. Veil baseboard covers fit 95% of all existing baseboard heaters. For exact details on measuring to make sure you order the right fit, please have a look at our measurement guide.

You can cover baseboard heaters, both hydronic (hot water) and electric types, but the steps will be slightly different depending on what you have. If you’re not sure, you can find out how to tell the difference in our article about how baseboard heating works.

Why Do Baseboard Heaters Have Covers?

Baseboard heaters have covers to protect the heating elements, the metal parts that get the hottest, from heat-sensitive things like children’s fingers and from flammable objects that could pose a fire risk if left next to the hot element for too long.

Covering Hydronic Baseboard Heaters

Once you’ve confirmed that you have a hydronic (hot water) baseboard heater, measured your existing heater, and ordered the appropriate length cover and accessories, you’re ready to begin.

Start by removing the existing end caps.

This step is only applicable for hot water heaters. Electric heaters do not have end caps, and anything on the sides should be left in place to maintain functionality.

Remove any vertical supports in the center (for long heaters).

Remove the front cover (below any horizontal plates along the top).

At this point, all that remains should be the top horizontal plate(s) and an exposed heating element.

Line up the new cover and push it in place along the top of the remaining baseboard heater plate.

If your existing heater has been painted over multiple times, you can loosen the layer of paint and create a gap with a utility knife.

Position your end caps in place on either side, ensuring you line up the bottom lip with the bottom of the cover, and then snap into place at the top.

For heaters longer than 6 feet, you might have to install two or more covers, custom-cut to your desired length, and then click a coupler into place in the center of the heater.

For drawings, specific product information, and details regarding irregular heaters, please visit our measurement guide. If you’d prefer to watch how it’s done, check out our video.

Covering Electric Baseboard Heaters

Once you’ve confirmed that you have an electric baseboard heater, measured your existing heater, and ordered the appropriate length cover and accessories, you’re ready to begin. Be sure to note in the measurement guide whether you will need mounting brackets to accommodate the height of your electric baseboard heater.

Remove the front cover (below any horizontal plates along the top).

At this point, all that remains should be the top horizontal plate(s) and an exposed heating element.

If the top plate of the heater is lower than the minimum 7.5 inches, install mounting brackets at the correct height.

Line up the new cover and push it in place along the top of the remaining baseboard heater plate or mounting brackets.

If your existing heater has been painted over multiple times, you can loosen the layer of paint and create a gap with a utility knife.

Position your end caps in place on either side, ensuring you line up the bottom lip with the bottom of the cover, and then snap into place at the top.

For heaters longer than 6 feet, you might have to install two or more covers, custom-cut to your desired length, and then click a coupler into place in the center of the heater.

For drawings, specific product information, and details regarding irregular heaters, please visit our measurement guide. If you’d prefer to watch how it’s done, check out our video.

It is important to keep in mind that nothing should block the flow of air. Furniture should be placed a minimum of 6 inches away from the heater, and nothing should block the bottom of the heater to allow air to flow through, in order for the heater to work properly.