as I am limited with space in my flat, I after to place a small cupboard in front of the radiator. I thought if I place a sheet of silver foil behind the cupboard this will stop the cupboard from heating up and so hopefully the heat should rise upwards. Do you think this is possible?
2006-12-21 07:34:21 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Yes, as long as you leave some room on the sides of the radiator for the air to enter. Also it would be great if there was some room (2-3 in) under the cupboard for air to be drawn to the radiator. Silver foil alone would only help a little, you require R-factor. There is a foil-bubble pack insulation that would be perfect for this. Many companies make it but here are two, so you get the idea:
www.insulation4less.com. and www.reflectix.com
You can attach it directly to the back of the cupboard.
Also it needs to be heat resistant, so unless you used Styrofoam specifically designed for heat insulation, I'd be concerned.
Hope this helps. Charley
2006-12-22 20:34:17 · answer #1 · answered by charley128 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it possible although mostly people do this by putting foil behind the rad to reflect the heat into the room. You're kinda doing it the opposite way. What will you be keeping in that cupboard? Is is possibly you could keep dried stuff/stuff not affected by heat or stuff that benefits from heat in there (such as use it as an airing cupboard?) Could you drill holes in the back of the cupboard to let air through? Alternatively, could you actually switch that radiator off if you don't want heat going into it?
Sorry, doesn't seem much help but in my son's bedroom, we had to place a chest of drawers in front of it and in the end had to switch the rad behind it off. But fortunately he has 2 rads in his bedroom so we could still heat the room with the other one.
Good luck.....
2006-12-21 07:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by nephtine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since metal is a good conductor of heat, no. However, if you get some non-flamable insulation, and cover that with foil, you might have some luck.
I have a similar situation, and have placed an all metal shelving unit in front of the radiator. It conducts heat quite well, but because it's made of metal, it isn't damaged. And I only keep not-damaged by heat items on the shelving.
Another way to gain extra space is by putting up a shelf over every doorway.
2006-12-21 07:43:14 · answer #3 · answered by Jean Talon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you stick the silver paper to the cardboard and place behind the radiator it will make the heat rise, and heat the room up by holding the heat in. it works a treat and if you have shelving over radiators then line underneath with foil too.
2006-12-21 07:38:01 · answer #4 · answered by archaeologia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not a good idea....do you not have space behind a door? most homes don't make use of this space.
Think about the width of your doors....you cant have anything behind a door or above but if you install a cupboard the same depth as the width of the door that will give a deeper entrance but also your missing storage.
Just an Idea....
2006-12-21 07:47:36 · answer #5 · answered by Bluefurball 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT WON'T DO ANY GOOD. You will always get the same amount of heat in the room, heat rises anyway and if the cupboard heats up it will give that heat back to the room.....KECK
2006-12-21 07:41:07 · answer #6 · answered by Tneciter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Styrofoam with aluminum foil wrapped around it will do a great job!
2006-12-21 08:48:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but make the silver paper a few layers thick
2006-12-21 07:36:54 · answer #8 · answered by johnny boy rebel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a fire hazard to me....
2006-12-22 14:18:38 · answer #9 · answered by Papa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋