![ask this old house workbench ask this old house workbench](https://i1.wp.com/www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diy-workbench.jpg)
Instructional Sites This Old House Easy2DIY You will probably need to modify these measurements to make it fit your radiator and house. Keep in mind, this is for a 32" wide x 25" tall x 10" deep radiator. I bought a 4' x 2' sheet of 1/4" plywood for the back. I bought a higher quality, 4' x 1' solid pine panel for the top because I didn't want it to warp or crack. The only wood that was not white wood was the top and the plywood back. All of the wood used totaled around $40, but the foil bubble insulation cost another $20. I didn't care about the knots because I planned to paint it white to match the woodwork in the room. I used this white wood because it was the cheapest wood available. Update: I found a great article on with information about what they call SPF (Spruce, White Pine, or Douglas Fir) wood that is found at the home centers. If you settle for imperfect wood, you will be sorry later and your project will suffer. Take your time and select the straightest pieces you can find. I found a lot of pieces with tiny little knot holes and many knots that are about the size of a Lego block peg. I think it is usually Spruce, which is what this looks like to me. According to a few sites I have seen, it could be many different types of wood, but they lump it all under the name "white wood" so that they can sell anything that is available as one product. I made my cover mostly out of what is labeled "white wood" at the home stores. I actually got my insulation at Lowes, but I really like the selection at Excellent selection of insulation types Foil bubble Insulation There are many different types of foil insulation, but ideally you just want something with a foil coating and a thin insulation backing. Radiator cover efficiency Improved Air-Flow Benefits of covers Insulation If you plan to use your radiator cover as a shelf, some people suggest lining the underside of the cover's top with this insulation to keep it cool. This is a smart thing to do even if you are not going to cover your radiators. Many sites suggest insulating the backside of the radiator with a foil insulation to reflect the radiant heat back into the room. Because most radiators are on the outside walls of a house, a lot of the energy is wasted warming an exterior wall. Radiators do circulate some hot air around the room, but the majority of the heat is transmitted via radiation. Other people say that because the hot air coming off the radiator goes straight up, a bare radiator is an ineffective way to heat your house. Some people say you are preventing a radiator from transmitting heat to the air and surrounding area when you cover it.