How to hide the heating pipe for decorative boxes

It is difficult to imagine a residential area without heating utilities that allow you to maintain a comfortable air temperature. At the same time, the appearance of these elements can hardly be called aesthetic, they often disagree with the refined interior, getting out of the general style.

We will tell you how to hide the heating pipes in an original, as simple as possible and affordable manner. In the article presented by us, the options for masking with the help of boxes and decorative linings are described in detail. Taking into account our advice, you can easily give a room a harmonious, cozy look.

Different types of pipe masking

There are various ways of hiding elements, allowing apartment dwellers to show creativity and imagination.

The most popular are:

• creation of closed heating systems;
• masking of heating elements with furniture;
• the device of boxes in which it is possible to hide communications;
• decorating pipes with linings and other design elements.

To create a closed system, all the pipes that pass through the apartment are cleaned into the grooved channels, which are specially made in the walls, after which the contours are covered with plaster.

This method requires perfect quality of communication elements: even minor defects over time can cause difficult to repair leaks and breakthroughs. The particular danger in this regard is metal pipes, for the connection of which fittings are used, but leaks are possible in steel or copper pipelines at non-compliance with technology of welding.

When masking communication networks are covered with household appliances and furniture, located behind the cabinet, under the sink or sink. Such a decision is easy to implement in the kitchen, but in living rooms, especially those that are minimalist, it is often difficult.

The most popular methods of hiding pipes are boxes made of different materials, as well as the use of decorative elements, such as rings, ropes or ropes, stained glass windows.

The nuances of decorating heating elements, we consider below.

Features of factory products and home-made

All designs designed to conceal heating systems can be divided into two broad categories: ready-made devices and specially made boxes.

Option # 1: factory ready devices

Such devices are purchased in specialized stores, where a wide range of products in different colors, sizes and designs. In form, such constructions can be angular, rounded or rectangular.

The first option is especially convenient in the corners of the room for masking the risers, as well as if the heating system is located close to the ceiling or floor. Other modifications are perfect for pipes that are laid around the perimeter of the walls and stand-alone riser.

Practiced various solutions. For fitting pipes fit parts polymeric ducts factory made. When choosing such options, it is desirable to pay special attention to the quality of the material, since low-grade polymers may become yellowed, bulge and lose their appearance due to heat.

The boxes made of plain or perforated metal look very impressive. If a practical goal is pursued, it is better to give preference to the second option, since, thanks to the holes, the metal elements provide better heat transfer.

Another option is a budget design of MDF, which have an attractive appearance and good performance. The disadvantages include a small model range, which is dominated by the "deaf" device without holes, which reduces heat transfer.

Option # 2: self-made designs

Despite the considerable choice of ready boxes, the designs made by own hands are very popular. They not only save money, but also allow you to perfectly solve the question of how ideally to hide the heating pipes in the interior, taking into account the exact dimensions and style of the room.

The most requested materials include:

• Brickwork. Spectacular, but rather complicated way to disguise, for which you have to make a lot of work. In addition, such a box can hardly be disassembled if necessary.
• Drywall To date, the most common material.
• Plastic liningmounted on a frame of metal or wood.
• A box of natural wood. Eco-friendly designs that adorn any interior; usually made to order.

The most common include drywall boxeswhich are easily installed around the pipes on the metal profile frame. The choice of material for manufacturing depends on the design of the room, as well as on personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Box of drywall do it yourself

The easiest way to hide the heating system in structures made of plasterboard. This material attracts with a combination of ease of processing, excellent performance properties, relatively low cost.

Guidelines for the assembly of protective and decorative structures in the bathrooms you will find in the article, the content of which we recommend to read.

Another important advantage is the compatibility of drywall boxes with various finishing methods, which allows you to perfectly fit the design in any interior.

The following materials and tools will be required to make a drywall box:

• screwdriver;
• scissors (cutter, hacksaw) and plasterboard planer;
• sheets of plasterboard (for the bathroom and kitchen it is better to take moisture-proof, for the rest of the premises - standard);
• wooden bars (metal profile);
• dowels, screws for fastening structures;
• building materials for putty, primer, finishing;
• baseboards.

To improve the appearance of the design will also help decorative accessories, with which you can disguise the joints of the box with the walls / floor (sockets, plates, rings, caps). The work is carried out in several stages.

Step 1: preparation for work

First of all, it is necessary to determine the size of the structure, for which accurate measurements of heating pipes are carried out. When calculating the parameters of the manufactured device, it is important to add to the indicators of depth and width a few centimeters for a loose fit: heating pipes should not touch the walls and components frame.

In accordance with certain dimensions, cutting of wooden slats or metal profiles under frame, as well as the cutting of sheets of drywall (at the same time should be allowed a minimum amount stitches).

Step 2: Build the Structure

The starting profile, which will serve as the basis for the assembly of the frame, is fixed on the floor. Other parts of the structure are attached to it, creating a crate.

The edges of the cut drywall parts are machined with a special plane for this material, after which they are applied to the frame base and fixed with screws. To protect the edges of the plates from damage, the corners of the device can be glued with special linings, which are made of perforated metal.

Step 3: Shut Down

In conclusion, finishing work is carried out. The joints between the construction plates, as well as the entry point, are plastered with putty.

After that, the surface of the box is primed, and then finishing is carried out (painting, wallpapering, coating of decorative plaster). The final touch for a neat look is the installation of baseboards at the junction of the boxes with the wall and / or floor.

The design of plastic panels

In places where a large number of people stay (for example, in public buildings), as well as in the corridors and baths it is appropriate to look designs from durable plastic panels, where the heating are hidden system.

Installation of such devices is desirable to carry out in parallel with the covering of the room, since in this case it is possible to predict the rational consumption of finishing material. Installation of boxes is carried out in stages.

Step 1: Frame anchoring

First of all, a crate made of wooden bars with a cross section of about 40x40 millimeters is attached to the ceiling and walls. Fixing these elements to the walls and ceiling is done with the help of dowels, equipped with a polymer sleeve. After attaching the bars, they are aligned in horizontal and vertical directions.

In the places (on the floor and walls), where the heating utilities are located, additional support beams are installed, to which the frame posts, located along and across, will be fixed.

Step 2: Panel Paneling

By installing the frame, you can go to the coating panels, which is done as follows. Panels, cut to the height of the box, are installed on the side plane, so that they are in a vertical position. It is possible to fasten polymer parts with the help of small nails, special adhesive mixtures, and a construction stapler.

The last stage is the installation of special elements at the corners, designed to conceal the cut edges, thanks to which the plastic boxes for heating pipes take on a neat appearance.

The use of natural wood

Structures made of natural material look great in any interior, but it must be taken into account that wood does not conduct heat energy well. To improve heating, it is recommended to use open-top devices or grates with large cells.

It is also important to note that high temperatures adversely affect wood materials. Under their influence, the wooden box can gradually crack and deform, and the paint to swell.

To avoid this, it is necessary to ensure that the device does not adjoin the elements of the heating system: wooden slats must be 3-4 cm away from them.

Decorative linings for heating pipes

The most problematic area when laying communications is the section near the entrance and exit of the heating pipe: in this place it is extremely difficult to make a neat cut and evenly lay the floor covering.

Advantages of decorative elements

It is possible to avoid an unaesthetic look, having issued the place of a joint with the decorative slips, specially intended for pipes of heating.

Such details not only give the room a neat look and decorate the interior, but their wide the range allows you to find a model that matches the style of the room - from classic to art nouveau and avant-garde.

In addition, the lining is extremely practical. When carrying out general cleaning, redecorating or changing the coating, the parts can be removed, and after completion of works, wash and install again.

Lining Materials

Decorative products can be made of different types of materials.

The most common elements for the manufacture of which are used:

• plastic;
• MDF;
• various types of wood.

Depending on the design, decorative items may have a grooved, smooth, polished surface; be monotonous, with drawings or imitations of various materials (stone, nacre, cork).

The most expensive are the lining of wood. To replace them, you can use parts from MDF that mimic the wood structure, but you have to keep in mind that the life of the latter is much lower (5 years versus 10 for natural wood).

When choosing decorative linings for heating pipes, it is necessary to carefully select their size, which should match the diameter of the pipe, and also pay attention to the color and texture of the design premises.

Tips for installing decor

Elements in the form of rings (they are also called sockets) have a collapsible design. As a rule, they consist of two parts, connected by internal locks. The design is disconnected, put on the girth, after which the gap closes and the element snaps into locked position.

Installation of such products takes a minimum of time (no more than one minute) and is not difficult. It can even be carried out by beginners who have never done repairs. If necessary, the element can be easily removed by opening the lock.

In addition to the rings, other types of masking joints can also be used, for example, decorative jute rope trim or details made of special heat-resistant fabrics. Such design options have an original appearance, and are also characterized by good thermal insulation properties, which helps reduce heat loss.

Variants of masking old pipes

Long-laid metal pipes are not recommended to be bricked into the walls or placed in a box because of the high risk of possible leaks. In this case, you can turn on the fantasy to creatively decorate such designs.

The easiest way is painting of heating devices and pipes to match the color of the surrounding walls, which allows the construction to merge with the background and not to catch the eye. For this follows choose paint non-toxic, heat-resistant, resistant to mechanical stress. Acrylic and alkyd enamels, as well as water-dispersion coatings are well suited.

Pipes can be decorated with ropes or ropes, or beautifully made artificial branches and / or flowers can be added to enliven (it is important that they can withstand high temperatures). It is necessary to take into account, however, that such a finish reduces the heat transfer system.

It is also possible to decorate the pipes with the help of bamboo which is split along the bamboo, which is attached to the pipe and decorated with additional elements depending on the imagination of the owners.

Horizontally laid pipes under the ceiling can be disguised by hanging curtains slightly above normal.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The videos below demonstrate the manufacturing process of the most commonly used boxes for masking heating systems: plastic and drywall.

Video # 1. Instructions on masking pipes behind plastic panels:

Video # 2. Compact box made of waterproof plasterboard:

To hide the heating pipes, it is important to choose the most effective method of masking. It will allow not only to remove engineering communications from the eyes, but also to decorate the apartment. Having invested taste, imagination, creativity, you can choose a unique finish for decorating pipes, even without special skills in carrying out repair and construction works.

Please write comments in the box below. Tell us about how the pipes of the heating system were hidden in your own city apartment or country house. It is possible that your valuable recommendations will be useful to site visitors.