If you’re remodeling your home or upgrading your heating system, you may need to consider getting new baseboard heater covers. These covers are more than a decorative element—they protect your heating system, ensure safety, and enhance your home’s aesthetic.
When making a decision, should you choose metal or wood baseboard covers? This guide will walk you through the differences, benefits, and drawbacks, helping you make a choice that perfectly fits your home and lifestyle.
A baseboard heater is a popular heating solution commonly installed along the base of a wall. These heaters rely on convection, using heating elements to warm the air, which then rises to heat your space efficiently. Baseboard heaters often blend into a room’s interior but are prone to wear and tear over time, making them a candidate for upgrades or cover replacements.
Baseboard heater covers are protective enclosures that surround the heating elements. They serve multiple purposes, including:
While most heaters come with standard metal covers, homeowners can replace them with upgraded designs that are available in metal and wood options.
Metal baseboard heater covers are widely regarded for their durability and functionality. They are often made from high-quality metals, such as galvanized steel or aluminum, and may feature protective coatings like epoxy to prevent rust and damage.
Metal baseboard heater covers offer several advantages, making them popular among homeowners. Their robust construction and sleek designs ensure longevity and aesthetic appeal, making them a practical and stylish upgrade.
Metal covers, like those from EZ Snap Covers, are built to last. They resist cracking and warping and wear better than alternative materials. Metal is an excellent choice if you want a low-hassle, long-term solution.
Metal conducts heat efficiently. This allows your heater to warm your space faster and more evenly. This is particularly beneficial in colder climates where maximizing heat output is critical.
Metal covers fit seamlessly with modern interior designs. Their sleek look can give rooms a contemporary feel, and with various finishes available—like semi-gloss white or urban steel—it’s easy to find an option that matches your decor.
High-quality metal covers are often rustproof and corrosion resistant. This is particularly important in humid environments like bathrooms or basements, ensuring your covers stay in pristine condition.
Metal covers require minimal maintenance effort. A quick wipe-down is generally all it takes to keep them looking like new.
Wood baseboard heater covers are a more traditional choice, offering a natural and timeless aesthetic. These covers are crafted from various wood types and finished to suit your design preferences.
Wood baseboard heater covers combine function with classic design. Their unique characteristics make them an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a warm and inviting touch in their homes.
Wood covers are impressively durable, often lasting for years without showing visible wear. Their sturdy construction minimizes damage caused by regular use, ensuring reliability.
Wooden covers add warmth and sophistication to your space. Different wood types and finishes are available, such as oak or maple in natural or stained hues, and they can be customized to seamlessly complement your interior design.
Wood covers provide an effective barrier against the heating element, reducing the risk of burns or injuries. This makes them safer for heaters in high-traffic areas.
Many wood covers are thoughtfully designed to enhance air circulation. This helps evenly spread heat throughout your room to maintain a comfortable environment.
Now that we’ve outlined the benefits of metal and wood covers, how do you decide which is the better option for your home?
Metal baseboard heater covers are best for modern homes, efficiency-focused users, and humid environments. They are durable, rust-resistant, low maintenance, and come in many modern design options. However, there are fewer customizable finishes compared to wood.
Wood baseboard heater covers are ideal for homeowners seeking a traditional or warm aesthetic and for safety-conscious households. These covers come in many beautiful finishes, are customizable, and provide added safety. Although, they do require more maintenance and may warp in humid environments.
Here are a few other key factors to consider:
If you’re interested in metal options, EZ Snap Covers makes it a breeze to upgrade your space. Our galvanized steel replacement baseboard covers with epoxy coatings ensure durability, heat efficiency, and sleek design. Plus, they’re simple to install—just measure, order, and snap them on!
Here are a few more reasons to consider EZ Snap Covers:
Whether you’re replacing old covers or giving your heaters a fresh, modern look, EZ Snap Covers provides durable, stylish solutions.
Choosing between metal or wood baseboard heater covers makes a significant difference in your heating system’s appearance and functionality. Evaluate your needs, consider your home’s style, and choose a material that balances durability, design, and practicality.
Measure the height from the floor to the top of the metal wall plate.
Follow our guide for baseboard heater cover measurement:
Any baseboard larger than 7 3/8" (188 mm) will be compatible with our standard cover.
Any measurement greater than 9 3/8" (238 mm) will fit our tall cover.
Measure from the bottom of the finned tube heating element to the top of the metal wall plate,
A measurement of 5 1/2" to 6 3/4" (140 mm – 172 mm) will fit our standard cover.
A measurement of 7 1/2" to 8 3/4" (191 mm – 222 mm) will fit our tall cover.
Measure the distance from the wall or the metal wall plate attached to the wall, to the outside of the finned tube heating element.
Any measurement of less than 3 1/8" (76 mm) inches from the wall will fit our
standard cover.
Any measurement of less than 3 1/8" (76 mm) inches from the wall will fit our tall cover.
EZ Snap™ Wall Widgets are used when your old or existing wall back plate has been removed or if you have to hang your new cover 1 inch or higher to bring them up to a height that will fit our installation guidelines. Just measure your overall desired height, subtract 1", drill a hole, preferably in a stud and attach it to the wall with the included screw.
EZ Snap™ Floor Fidgets easily raise your new covers ¾ inch to compensate for any ¾ inch floor (wood, tile, or other) that has been installed any time since your baseboard heater was originally installed. May be used for any reason when the overall height has been shortened and the total height is less than 7-½ inches for standard height or 9-½ inches for the TALL height EZ Snap™ BaseBoard Covers. Just use the self-tapping screws to secure them to the top of your existing wallplate.
EZ Snap™ Wall Contraptions are used when your wall back plate has been completely removed. EZ Snap™ Wall Contraptions receives your EZ Snap™ BaseBoard Cover and keeps your aluminum fin tube from sagging. These completely replace your wall back plate. To install, slide up from the bottom and make sure the top is at your desired height. Screw to the wall, then bend the front finger up to hold the fin tube in place.
Now that you’ve learned how to measure baseboard heaters,
you’re ready to order.