Plastic vs. Metal Baseboard Covers

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Plastic vs. Metal Baseboard Covers

When it comes to picking out a baseboard heater cover, it’s crucial to invest in the safest, most effective, and best-looking option. With multiple materials to choose from, making sure you’re getting the perfect choice for your home isn’t always easy. Let’s compare plastic vs. metal baseboard covers so that you can find the ideal fit for your heater and home.

Plastic Covers

There are a few plastic baseboard heater covers on the market. Of the two we’ll talk about, one is hard to install and very thin, while the other isn’t very refined-looking. That aside, plastic isn’t a conductor of heat—it’s an insulator. It doesn’t conduct heat nearly as efficiently as powder-coated galvanized steel. Since it’s not as efficient at conducting heat, your boiler has to run more to distribute the same amount of heat as a metal cover. This wears out your expensive boiler more quickly.

Metal Covers

When you’re comparing plastic vs. metal baseboard covers, metal is the way to go. If you want a baseboard heater cover that’s efficient, durable, and attractive, there’s no better material than metal—galvanized steel, specifically. A cover made from galvanized steel has high thermal conductivity levels. It’s adept at getting the most out of your heating system. It freely passes heat and distributes it more effectively than wood or plastic covers do. Other types of metal are prone to rusting, but galvanized steel is corrosion resistant.

If you’re tired of painting or covering up old, rusty covers, switch to a galvanized epoxy powder-coated cover. It’s guaranteed not to rust for as long as you own your home. One of the best parts about metal covers? They won’t cramp your style. They’ll blend right in and make your home appear more up-to-date.

In need of a brand-new cover? EZSnap™ Covers has effective, long-lasting baseboard heater covers made from epoxy powder-coated galvanized steel. Installation is easy—you can do it in a snap. Check out our wide selection of decorative, custom, and replacement covers today!

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The Purpose of Baseboard Heater Cover Brackets

Brackets play an essential role in the installation and stability of baseboard heater covers. We’ll discuss the purpose of baseboard heater cover brackets here.

How to measure baseboard heaters:

Step 1
HOW TO MEASURE

Always measure left to right, and twice for accuracy

Floor to top of Fintube | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Covers

Step 1: Floor to top of Wall plate

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.

Fin Tube Height | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Covers

Step 2: Bottom of Fintube to Top of Wall Plate

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.

Depth | Measure | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Cover

Step 3: Back Wall to Front of Fintube

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.

Step 2
DETERMINE IF BRACKETS ARE NECESSARY

Always measure left to right, and twice for accuracy

Wall Widget

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.

Floor Fidgets

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.

Wall Contraptions

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.

Step 3

HOW TO MEASURE LENGTH

Based on how your heater is configured,

choose an option below to expand and view

specific hot water baseboard heater measurement templates.

[+] Option 1: Straight Heater Configuration

[+] Option 2: L-Shape and U-Shape Configuration

[+] Option 3: 45 Degrees, Z-Shape Configuration

Congratulations!

Now that you’ve learned how to measure baseboard heaters,

you’re ready to order.

READY TO START
YOUR ORDER NOW?

Plastic vs. Metal Baseboard Covers

Plastic Covers