For example, a radiator that is 10 inches (25cm) deep, 20 inches (50cm) tall, and 30 inches (76cm) wide, you might need 12 inches (30cm) clearance in depth, 22 inches (55cm) clearance in height, and 32 inches (81cm) clearance in width. This will give you a snug but still comfortable cover for your radiator.
Fiberboard. Fiberboard, or MDF (medium density fiberboard) is a combination of sawdust and resins packed tightly together. It is inexpensive, takes paint well, and won’t require miters that plywoods require. On the downside, it doesn’t take wood stains especially well. [1] X Research source Veneered plywood. Veneered plywood is incredibly sturdy and beautiful unfinished, but also takes a wood stain really nicely. On the flip side, it is considerably more expensive than MDF, and probably requires some mitering on the edges of the plywood so that you don’t see the center of the plywood core.
If you’re cutting from two smaller pieces of plywood or MDF and those pieces are identical, stack them on top of each other so that you only have to make one cut to produce both side panels. [3] X Research source
If you wish to have grated openings on the side panels as well as the front panel, follow the exact same procedure.
Do the exact same for the side panels if you choose to fit them with grating.
Add extra support to the back of the radiator cover by screwing a piece of 1x4 to the top back of each side.
For a more dramatic statement, consider painting stripes or other geometric designs on the cover to match patterns in the draperies, pillows or other elements within the room. [4] X Research source
