We have a 1958 townhouse with very ugly baseboard heat covers. The old homeowners used sheet metal and screws to patch them.

what options do we have for replacing them? We have researched some and it looks very expensive.

thanks
Mikeeee

There is a good chance that since the design dates to 1958, you won't be able to find replacement parts. One method is to relocate as many of the covers as you can from areas that are hidden behind furniture to places where they are seen. Or remove covers from one room to use as replacements and install new only in that room.

Try this product if you like. But if the fins on the pipes cannot be made fairly stright you may need to replace them so you get enough heat out of them for them to work properly.
http://www.radiantwraps.com/

The heat works great, but the radiators look terrible. 20 coats of paint, bent up, rookie repair jobs etc...

We are redoing the power room and need to cover a 3.5' baseboard radiator. So the radiant wrap would work, but to do the rest of the house is going to be about two thousand dollars!!

thanks for the link

Mikeeee

Wait to you price out the new baseboard with heating elements. Ouch. add to that labor and the issues with draining the system and then filling it back up. Many new covers will not support the older sized fins on old baseboard systems. So you would end up buying the whole cover and element. If you can measure the fin size and go to any quality heating supply company you may be able to find a blank cover that fits you pipes. This all takes time and cost money. The wraps may be a better choice after all.
Good luck.

Issues like the drain valve is stuck and will probably break before opening?

thanks for all the info.

Mikeeee

The cheapest way is probably to just paint them. The second least expensive way to rehabilitate those ugly baseboard heaters from 1958 is probably these guys: BaseboardHeaterCovers.com The part I like about this solution is that it doesn't involve any hired labor. DIY all the way.

Thanks for the info. But at $20/foot and we have at least 45 feet on the first floor alone....
We are definitely going to budget accordingly.

Mikeeee

Paint them. First strip all the paint off if there is a lot. Then use spray paint to recoat them. Brushed paint although will work tends to be a little heavy while spray looks more like the original look.

You can also purchase custom wood covers. I ordered mine from baseboard covers site. They gave me a decent discount for purchasing multiples. I'm very pleased with my purchase!

thanks,
I was looking at building something. a nice wood frame and an inset decorative expanded steel.

but with the proper insulation now installed in the powder room... we did not even need a heater in there this winter. and it has been a cold winter in chicago this year.

MIkeeee