How To Cover Radiator Pipes

Radiator pipes are the bane of many homeowners. They’re an essential component of having central heating (how else would the water get in and out of your radiators?) but they are ugly and can be unsafe, especially if you have children or pets who have a habit of getting too curious. Piping is commonly sunk into the flooring or behind walls but if a radiator is fitted retrospectively, you can end up with pipework running along the bottom of walls or near the floor. Thankfully, there are a variety of different ways to conceal the pipes in your home so that they are safe and out of sight. Read on to learn how to cover hot radiator pipes.

Box them in

A very common way of hiding the copper radiator pipes is to box them in. You may have seen them in kitchens or bathrooms before. This method uses straight pieces of wood to literally build a box around the pipes to hide them from sight. It can be painted to match your decor and help it blend in and is a cheap and easy solution for pipes that have been left exposed. However, not everyone likes the look of this solution as it can be quite bulky and there is the potential for the room it’s in to feel slightly cluttered or small, especially if it was already compact.    

Hide them behind skirting boards

An alternative method of hiding pipes is by installing specially-adapted skirting boards that can accommodate pipes. This type of skirting board has a recessed section on the backside which allows the board to be placed flush against the wall even if there are pipes in the way. If you’re planning on installing skirting boards anyway, opting for pipe-friendly models can be a simple and cost-effective way to conceal your pipes in plain sight. A great perk of doing it this way is that you can more easily access the pipes in emergencies.    

Install pipe sleeves

If your pipes come down vertically from your radiators or straight out from the wall to the unit, before going beneath the floors, you may still wish to cover them for aesthetic reasons. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to cover up the copper pipes that connect to your radiator is by installing pipe sleeves. Pipe sleeves (or covers) simply slot over your pipework and enhance their look rather than completely hiding them. For the most attractive finish, you might prefer to get pipe sleeves that are the same colour as your valves or radiator. Alternatively, you might want to match them to other fixtures in the room for a bit of stylish contrast. It is best to install pipe sleeves during the installation stage of the radiator itself, although they can be added after, it will require removing the valves, so it's worth taking that into consideration before asking your plumber to get to work. Pipe sleeves can be cut to any length you need and offer a great finishing detail that ties your home together.    

Check out the full range of pipe covers we have available here at UK Radiators. Our pipe covers range from classic chrome options to modern and stylish anthracite so can be incorporated into any home decor theme. For any other radiator and radiator accessories you need, make sure to check out the rest of what we have to offer.