What type of board behind radiator?

[akhagen]

Hello! I'm going to do a quick renovation behind my waterborne radiators. The entire house is rotgipboarded on the inside, but the original idea was to remove the radiators, send them for painting and board behind them. However, it was an expensive affair (12,000 for draining the system, removing the radiators, and reinstalling them with new thermostats, 6 in total). Whether it's worth it or not, it was too much money + painting the radiators.

Plan 2 is to paint the radiators in place, and then board behind them to the best of my ability. "Slide" the boards down from above (I have windows above all the relevant ones) and hide the top and bottom with baseboard and window trim. Maybe put a joint strip along the sides (I don't think a little framing will be disruptive, as the board will align with the window).

I plan to measure the boards, test if they fit, and then paint them before sliding them down for good.

The question is, should I really go with 6mm drywall here as well, or are there smarter alternatives? I'm generally allergic to masonite, but maybe it's better?

Plywood doesn't have the surface finish I want, but it's otherwise better in terms of construction. Thin MDF maybe?

It also needs to be reasonably heat-resistant, i.e., not warp and cause trouble.

Any tips?

 

[Linnex]

White-painted masonite? Available to buy ready-made.

A bit of adhesive and it should stay in place.

 

[akhagen]

Good thinking Linnex. I had thought about rolling the board, but only because I can't brush paint smoothly. A factory-sprayed board sounds great.

Sättlim, is it a way to guarantee that it won't warp?

 

[Linnex]

Mainly thinking about you not having to screw it in.

maybe better to use something like carpet glue over the entire surface. There's surely someone better at glue than I am who can advise.

 

[akhagen]

mattlim, is it a kind of contact adhesive?

I have jars of fabric adhesive left over, could that be an alternative?

 

[gnilrub]

If you install a pre-painted board, there's a high risk of color differences if you're going to have white walls, otherwise there will be a color mismatch You may have considered this and discarded the idea, but otherwise radiator covers are an idea.

 

[akhagen]

Yes, I have been thinking (and sketching) about radiator covers, but it feels too bulky. In the "most visible" room, white panels will be awesome.

I need to think about it, and start by painting the radiators. That should be done first anyway.

And on second thought, that means I will have to patiently wait for April/May...

 

[akhagen]

Approaching project start with big strides. I have talked to my lumber yard and they will look for factory-painted masonite.

And then there is the issue of glue.

Recommendation?

Best regards / Dan Å