Baseboard heater covers

[David S.]

Does anyone have a suggestion for replacing hot water baseboard heater covers? We're renovating a 4 plex, and when gutting, the covers got tossed. I figured no big deal, until I tried to find replacements. $70 for a 4 foot piece of metal? What the hell? Not feasible when I've got probably 60 feet in one unit that needs replacement. 

[Nathan Gesner]

I've seen the costs at close to $30 per linear foot. The other option is to start making calls to plumbers and contractors to see if anyone has some used materials they can sell you.

[David S.]

@Nathan Gesner Thanks. I'm looking into used options, but calling plumbers is a good idea. 

[Johann Jells]

What make is that? Slant Fin dummy enclosures are $55 for 8'.

[Colleen F.]

Not that I reccommend it everywhere but there is a plastic version we got in HD for the bathrooms. Think it was pretty cheap. Good for some locations.

[Sam Scogin]

I built mine from scratch using primarily sanded plywood. Way cheaper and sturdier than the cheap stamped metal covers they make. I also made mine taller, which should increase the stack effect and make them more efficient.

[Pat L.]

Just tossed 6 units of old hydronic baseboards. Old & nasty but could have been restored. Try those restore stores that are cropping up.

[Pat L.]

not too difficult to make!!!

[Michael Gessner]

Its cheaper to just buy all new baseboard, these are one of those things you make sure you dont get rid of, if theyre crappy looking they can always be painted

[Johann Jells]

Originally posted by @Michael Gessner:

Its cheaper to just buy all new baseboard, these are one of those things you make sure you dont get rid of, if theyre crappy looking they can always be painted

 I'm sure we all have stories of contractors pitching things. I had them throw away the tracks to a set of mirror bypass doors. They shouldn't have even gone in the room they were stored in!!  I've used Hammertone paints on old rusty baseboard units to good effect, the copper looks particularly nice.

A friend has spent considerable effort getting steam radiator covers because the condo sponsor's contractors pitched the 80 year old originals. One was actually curved to fit a curved bay window radiator!

[Michael Gessner]

@Johann jells gotta love the stupidity of others, no care lack of common sense, I just don't get it, your right tho some contractors just don't use there brains