Measuring only the radiator body is the most common mistake in a custom-cover request. The cover has to clear the radiator, pipes, valves and wall conditions while allowing convection and future service. Use this guide to prepare a first-pass request; final dimensions still require fabrication review.
01
Identify the entire heat-source envelope
Measure the widest, highest and deepest point of everything the cover must clear—not just the cast-iron sections. Include valve handles, unions, pipe elbows, supply and return pipes, air vents and any projection from the wall. Photograph the radiator from the front, both sides and above.
Do not assume the radiator is centered under the window or parallel to the wall. Record the distance from each end of the radiator assembly to the nearest side wall, casing or obstruction.
- Maximum overall width, including valves and pipes
- Maximum height from finished floor
- Maximum depth from the wall or baseboard plane
- Locations of controls and service points
- Distance to nearby trim, outlets and furniture
02
Document the wall, floor and baseboard
A wall-mounted box and a floor-standing furniture-style cover need different information. Show baseboard height and projection, window-stool depth, casing, floor transitions and any sloped or uneven surfaces. A cover that looks square in a drawing may require scribed fillers in an older room.
If the enclosure will run wall to wall, measure the opening at several heights and depths. Record all readings instead of choosing the smallest or largest one yourself; the fabricator decides where clearance, scribe and reveal are required.
03
Airflow is part of the design
A radiator cover must allow cooler room air to enter low and warmed air to leave high. Decorative grille area, toe-kick openings and top-outlet design affect that path. A sealed decorative box is a bad product, even when it looks clean in a rendering.
Steam, hot-water and electric equipment are not interchangeable. Share the system type and any manufacturer requirements. Elite reviews ventilation and access as part of the design; the website does not treat a decorative panel choice as an engineering approval.
04
Plan for valves, cleaning and repairs
The enclosure should not turn routine service into demolition. Identify which panels, grilles or top sections must be removable and how much access a technician needs. Note whether the valve is adjusted regularly and whether the cover must clear an existing thermostatic control.
For apartment portfolios, consistent access details matter more than one attractive prototype. A repeat program should document room types, radiator variations, approved modules and exception conditions.
05
What to send with your request
Send a measurement sketch, the required photos, project city, quantity, desired finish and whether installation is requested. For multiple units, include a schedule that assigns every cover an apartment, room and unique reference. Elite will identify what must be verified before the order is released.
Q
Common questions
Should I add extra inches to my radiator measurements?
Record the actual maximum dimensions and nearby conditions. Do not invent an allowance; the required clearance depends on the heat source, enclosure design, ventilation and service access.
Can the top of a radiator cover be solid?
The complete enclosure still needs an adequate path for heated air to exit. The correct opening and grille strategy depends on the system and cover design.
Can one design be repeated throughout an apartment building?
Yes, after field conditions are grouped into repeatable types and exceptions. A prototype and documented measurement schedule reduce production errors.
Next step
Turn the guide into a buildable request.
Send your plans, measurements, photographs, quantity, project location and target schedule for review.