How to Build a Radiator Cover

Materials and Tools:

tape measure
decorative aluminum screening
staple gun
1/2"-thick solid pine board
tin snips
1/4" staples
four leg plates and hardware
wooden lattice strips
four wooden, screw-in legs that are five inches longer than the height of the radiator
hand saw or circular saw
1" x 2" wooden board

Steps:

1. Measure the top of the radiator, and add five inches to the width and length. Because a radiator emits heat, the extra inches will help to prevent fires or other hazards.
   
2. Once you have the adjusted radiator measurements, cut the solid pine board to that size. Attach one leg plate to each corner of the board, and attach the wooden legs.
   
3. To determine the dimensions of the two side panels and the front panel, measure the distance between the inner side of the legs that will frame each respective panel, and measure the distance between the bottom of the 1/2" thick solid pine board and the bottom of a leg. These respective measurements provide the height and width for the panels. A back panel is not needed since it will not be visible.
   
4. Use tin snips to cut three pieces of decorative aluminum screening to the dimensions of the three panels.
   
5. Cut four lattice strips to the width of each aluminum screen. Sandwich the top of an aluminum screen between two of the lattice pieces cut to its width, and secure them with a staple gun. Repeat at the bottom of the screen.
   
6. Cut two lattice strips to the length of each side panel. Evenly space the pieces on the front of each panel, and staple them to the lattice strips attached to the screens in step 4. Repeat this process on the front panel.
   
7. Slide each panel between its respective legs so that the lattice strips face the room rather than the inside of the cover. They should fit tightly enough so that they will stay in place, but securing them with finishing nails is an option.