What are old batteries made from? We hide and mask heating batteries

No matter how people resist, but time takes its toll, and if the old-style cast-iron batteries are still working properly, effectively warming the home, they still have to be changed over time. Even the most reliable device has its expiration date, which must be respected. Although there are examples that old-style cast-iron radiators have served for more than a hundred years, it is not worth bringing to such an extreme in order to maintain personal safety.

Features of the manufacture of cast iron batteries

For too long, cast iron radiators have been the only type of heating device installed in apartment buildings. Many people are so accustomed to them, knowing about their durability and reliability, that when it comes time to change the heating system, they are looking for similar devices.

Cast-iron batteries of the new model are completely different from what the residents of Khrushchev are used to. The old models had their own advantages, against which their shortcomings were forgotten, and this is due to the peculiarity of their manufacture.

This metal cannot be processed, so products from it, whether old cast-iron radiators or pans, have always been cast in finished forms. This is due to the fact that for many decades, sectional "accordions" of the same height, width and depth were produced.

To change the thermal power of a cast-iron radiator, it was necessary to add or remove a section, for which the coolant was completely drained from the system, paralyzing the heat supply to the building.

To ensure high-quality sealing, rubber gaskets are installed between the sections (if antifreeze is used, they must be paronite).

Cast iron sectional radiators are connected using nipple nuts and a special key and are divided by type:

On single-channel samples, which are found mainly in vertical models.
Two-channel types are the main type of cast-iron radiators.
Three-channel are extremely rare, have the highest heat transfer and great depth.

According to the shape of the collectors, the types of cast-iron heating radiators can be divided into oval and round. The former are recognized as more reliable and resistant to water hammer, but the wall thickness of the device is no less important. To make them as light as steel or bimetal radiators, thin walls are required, but they are too vulnerable to shock and mechanical damage. Too thick a layer of cast iron will make the radiator invulnerable, but unbearable, which is also unacceptable, and besides, it will take forever to warm up. Old radiators weighed about 7.5 - 8 kg, which is quite a lot for one section.

In Soviet times, several types of blanks were used for their production, differing in size. The depth depended on the number of channels for the coolant, and the height depended on the center distance.

Models differed with center-to-axle indicators from 300 mm to 900 mm, but the most popular was the distance of 500 mm, which in our time is considered the classic standard for radiators made of any metal.

If you have to replace old cast-iron batteries with new ones, then you should choose analogues with the same center distance, which will ensure the reliability of their connection to the heating system and work efficiency.

The parameters of these radiators were such that they fully corresponded to the centralized heating of those years:

Working pressure 9 - 12 atmospheres.
Heating of the coolant up to +110 degrees.
Resistance to chemical impurities in water.
Service life of 20 years with flawless operation up to 50.
Low cost.

The biggest disadvantage of the Soviet "accordions" was their weight. They were difficult to transport and install, and not every wall is able to withstand such a "burden". With the advent of high-rise buildings, the strengths of cast-iron batteries no longer meet the new standards of centralized heating, since in houses over 12 floors water hammer is much higher than they can withstand.

New type batteries

Modern types of cast iron batteries are not at all like their old "brothers". Over the past 15 years, steel and aluminum radiators have become very popular, but the former are mainly represented by panel-type models, which does not fit into every heating system, and the latter do not tolerate the chemical effects of the city heating system coolant. That is why many consumers have turned their attention to the varieties of cast-iron heating radiators of the new generation. Their positive qualities:

Outwardly, they are not much different from modern counterparts from other metals. Sections with a flat smooth surface will fit into any interior. On sale there are not only products with factory coloring, but also those that can be painted independently in any color (domestic production), which many customers like.
The cost of new cast iron batteries is still low, which makes them attractive to consumers.
They have a higher heat transfer due to the reduction in volume.
Their weight has dropped significantly. If the old samples weighed from 8 kg and more, then the new ones - from 3.5 kg and up to a maximum of 7.1 kg one section.
Today, there are both decorative cast-iron radiators in retro style, as well as floor, vertical and classic models.

The fact that batteries of this type have become lighter and more stylish, while retaining their main positive aspects, makes them very popular among the population.

Decorative radiators made of cast iron

In the domestic market, artistic types of heating devices are represented mainly by foreign manufacturers. As a rule, these are design works that not only weigh a little more than their classic counterparts, but also cost several times more. Such luxury can only be installed in the corresponding interior.

Decorative cast-iron heating radiators are presented in the Baroque and Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Neoclassical styles. The style and ornament of the product do not affect its value, unlike the size and shape. So among them there are low batteries, a standard height of 500 mm or high types. If the interior requires antique heaters, then preference is most often given to models with a patterned pattern. Their coloring can be completely different and they look not only spectacular, but also expensive.

As a rule, decorative cast iron radiators have the same properties as modest classic designs. Sections are mounted in the same way as the usual Soviet "accordions". Cast-iron batteries on legs look especially stylish and unusual.

Floor cast iron batteries

This type of radiator appeared out of necessity. Cast iron is a fairly heavy metal, from which any product inherits a lot of weight, and batteries are no exception. Not every wall can withstand such a load, so the manufacturers went to meet their customers by launching a cast-iron floor radiator into production.

Panoramic windows, which are very popular lately, require a different approach to heaters. Low floor models look good and at the same time have all the advantages of taller counterparts. Today, cast-iron floor heating radiators are considered elite, so their cost is one of the highest among batteries made of this metal.

The advantages of these devices are:

Stability is ensured by sturdy legs that can be screwed to the floor if necessary.
They take up little space, and the pipes are laid on the floor during their installation, which improves the visual appearance of the room.
Floor batteries can be of any color.
They perform well in closed heating systems.
Installing a floor structure frees owners from work such as drilling walls and attaching brackets.

In terms of their technical indicators, radiators of this type differ little from standard cast-iron models.

Feature of vertical radiators

High radiators are rare and quite expensive, no matter what metal they are made of. Given the weight of cast iron, vertical radiators made of it cannot be the same size as, for example, aluminum or bimetallic ones, which can reach 3 m. The maximum height that vertical cast iron heating radiators have is 1 meter.

As a rule, they are represented by sectional tubular structures, which, although they heat up for a long time, keep the heat and cool down for the same long time. Such models have high heat transfer, despite the large volume of coolant in them.. Their main disadvantage is the weight, which significantly exceeds the standard counterparts, not only because of the greater height of the sections, but also the thickness of the walls.

Heating elements for cast iron batteries

Not surprisingly, today many consumers are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes. The cost of utilities is constantly rising, which cannot but cause concern. One of the ways to create autonomous heating in an apartment is a cast-iron battery with a heating element.

Teng is an ordinary metal tube with a spiral located inside it, which is separated from it by a filler. It can be made independently from improvised means. Batteries with a heating element are distinguished by high performance, economy and reliability, and the fact that they are built into the heating system itself allows you to save space and ensure their inconspicuous presence.

Such a device can be equipped with a thermostat to regulate the degree of heating of the coolant and serve as both an additional and the main source of heat.

There are heating elements of different capacities on the market, so you should calculate in advance how many watts are required per section of the radiator to heat each individual room.

Conclusion

To date, interest in cast iron radiators has revived. This is due to a change in their appearance and technical indicators for the better. They are mounted both in autonomous systems of private houses and in high-rise buildings connected to the central city heating network.

On the market you can find euro-cast iron radiators, and vertical, and floor, and classic versions of products from this metal. This gives consumers the opportunity to choose batteries for the interior of the room and its needs for warmth.

Modern cast iron radiator

Cast iron, despite its unsightly appearance, has one huge advantage over other materials used for the manufacture of heating batteries - this is durability. Therefore, it is a problem for every owner to get rid of cast-iron heating radiators, despite the overhaul of the entire dwelling. After all, for decades they have been heating the apartment in the cold season, creating comfort and coziness for the people living in it.

In this case, it is worth putting the old batteries in order so that they can perform their functions better and try to change their appearance.

What are remarkable cast-iron batteries

Sectional cast-iron batteries are installed, as a rule, in multi-storey buildings. Their positive properties are:

resistance to corrosion;
low susceptibility to the poor quality of the supplied coolant;
durability;
affordability;
functionality;
thermal power;
strength;
thermal inertia.

However, they have a number of significant disadvantages:

large mass;
unattractiveness;
roughness of the inner walls;
the need for periodic painting.

But, despite the disadvantages, many owners do not seek to get rid of old cast-iron batteries. They are trying to restore them and bring them into proper shape, rightly believing that a “tried friend” is able to serve honestly and reliably for more than one year.

Don't jump to conclusions

Solving any problem should never be in a hurry. This also applies to cast iron batteries. Of course, most craftsmen will advise you to change old radiators for more modern ones, but you should not rush. Such cardinal methods should be used only if the cast iron has cracked, or the battery has completely failed for some other reason and cannot be restored. . In most cases, old cast-iron radiators can always be updated.

This raises a lot of questions:

How to improve reliability?
How to improve the appearance?
How to fit into a new interior?
How to hide the shutoff valve?

This list, for sure, can be continued by everyone. Let's try to figure it out.

What can be done?

The cast-iron battery is obliged to perform its functions to the maximum, the main of which is heating. Therefore, before restoration, some preventive work should be carried out.

Note! Before you start them, you need to invite a plumber and make 100% sure that there is no water in the system. An important point - prevention can only be carried out outside the heating season.

Decorative radiators

So, you need:

remove the battery and put plugs on the pipes;
flush the inside of the radiator;
change problematic seals, which are easily identified by red smudges between sections or on plugs;
install, if necessary, a Mayevsky crane, as well as shut-off valves and thermal heads.

With the battery removed, it is much more convenient to work, so when it is overhauled, this cannot be avoided. The radiator is laid on a workbench or a suitable table and the process of removing old layers of paint that have overlapped over the years begins. It is important to know that they significantly reduce heat transfer. Paint remover is unlikely to help with multi-layer coating, so it is recommended to use a building hair dryer and a narrow spatula. Rust and remaining pieces of paint are removed with a wire brush. In case of unwillingness or impossibility to remove the battery from its place, only peeling paint is removed from the radiator, and the differences are carefully polished until completely leveled.

treated with a rust converter;
wiped with a damp cloth;
degreased with a solvent;
primed with a composition intended for metal surfaces;
painted in any convenient way.

White color and oil paints are a thing of the past. In modern homes, you can find batteries painted to match the color of the walls. Different metallics look good and give more heat. The heating effect will create a bright orange or red color, and an ornament or airbrush will make the radiator original and unique. Sections can be painted in different colors or make a convex pattern on their surface with a contour for stained glass, followed by varnishing.

The battery can be hidden behind a special screen, but it will certainly reduce the flow of heat fluxes. There are a lot of design options for heating appliances, and every home master will definitely find something suitable for himself.

History of cast iron radiators

Many families are accustomed to such a battery.

Cold has always been associated with discomfort and has been causing trouble for people since ancient times. At that distant time, they tried to warm themselves by the fire, insulated themselves and their homes with skins. As the centuries passed, stoves and fireplaces began to appear, channels were arranged in the houses through which hot air moved to other rooms. But this solved the problem of heating only partially. A positive result was achieved when the water heating system was invented and radiators appeared.

It is known that already more than two thousand years ago in ancient Rome there was a system in many respects similar to modern water heating of houses. If we take a later period, then we can say with confidence that at the end of the 17th century, with the help of a liquid heat carrier moving along special coils, in Europe they warmed the air in greenhouses and greenhouses. But this method was ineffective. In residential premises, water heating appeared only in the first half of the 19th century.

Note! The prototype of a cast-iron radiator first appeared in St. Petersburg, where the first cast-iron heating device was cast in the workshop of the Russian entrepreneur, inventor and manufacturer Franz San Galli. It happened in 1855.

The invention was called "heitzkerper", which sounds like a "hot box" in translation, and outwardly the battery only remotely resembled a modern cast-iron radiator. Its design consisted of several thick pipes and vertical disks. Within a short time, the novelty gained popularity not only in Russia, but also in countries where they know firsthand what the cold season is.

Such a battery fits perfectly into a modern interior.

Encouraged by the success, San Galli began to think about how to give the battery a more attractive appearance, so he began to open new foundries one after another. Radiators began to be used in systems of not only water, but also steam heating. Models were decorated with patterns and ornaments. The structures were bulky, but withstood pressures of several atmospheres. By the way, in Tsarskoye Selo there is the oldest cast-iron battery, which is more than a hundred years old. The year of her birth is 1896! It has not only been preserved in excellent condition, but is still functioning.

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, cast iron radiators began to be produced in Europe, mainly in Germany. In the German city of Weizler there is a museum, the exposition of which has many heating appliances of that time.

It should be noted that in Samara, at the checkpoint of the local state district power station, there is a monument to a cast-iron battery, installed in 2005 to mark the 150th anniversary of its invention. This composition unites two keepers of home comfort - the battery itself and the cat lying on the windowsill located above.

Modern tendencies

Decorative radiator at the exit to the terrace

It would seem that no one needs outdated cast-iron batteries. But it turns out that they are experiencing their second birth! Retro and steampunk styles are in fashion now, the attributes of which are steam engines, telegraphs, gas lamps, tailcoats, bonnets, tarpaulin boots, factory pipes and accessories from the Victorian era.

Some European and American manufacturers have even begun producing 19th-century style cast iron radiators featuring artistic castings and matching valves. Externally, the models may well compete with antique batteries - they are aesthetic and quite expensive.

Conclusion

Starting to make major repairs and thinking about replacing heating radiators, you should not rush. If the old cast iron batteries are not out of order, then it is hardly necessary to throw them away. After all, only cast iron has sufficient resistance to the aggressive environment of the coolant located in the centralized heating network. Moreover, used radiators are quite amenable to restoration.

For those who decide to save time and money on the reconstruction of the heating system and the replacement of cast-iron radiators with modern ones, we offer several ways to hide, disguise, decorate and upgrade old unsightly batteries. You will be surprised how these "cast-iron heavyweights" in a transformed form are able to refresh the interior.

Successful camouflage is a simple but effective idea for eye-catching radiators. It is enough to choose a paint to match the walls and paint the battery with it. Alkyd and acrylic enamels, as well as water-dispersion paints, are best suited.

And you can do the opposite - with the help of paint, do not disguise the battery, but focus on it.

At the height of the heating season, the radiator can become a potentially dangerous item in the house. So that the child does not accidentally touch the hot metal, special screens were invented that prevent direct contact with the battery and play a decorative role in the interior.

In addition, the screen will prevent dust and dirt from entering the battery. So cleaning will no longer be so burdensome.

The easiest way to fit the batteries into the interior of the room is to hide them in a drywall box and close them with a decorative grille. Of course, the decoration must be done in such a way as not to disrupt the operation of the heating system.

Special perforated MDF panels are the most versatile of the radiator screens. A wide variety of shapes, shades and textures allows you to choose them for any interior. Such screens are lightweight, compact, moisture resistant, and environmentally friendly.

The screen of strict forms is also considered a classic.

In a modern interior, laconic wooden screen models without fanciful decor will look good.

You will definitely not want to hide such a decorative metal frame for a radiator behind curtains. Because it will definitely attract the attention of guests and will become the undeniable "highlight of the program."

If you have carpentry skills, the idea of a decorative screen for a radiator can be developed to an impromptu shelving, console, cabinet. Functional furniture is worth its weight in gold in small-sized dwellings.

Glass can also turn out not just screens for a radiator, but also beautiful elements of functional furniture.

Some thought to use the battery, covered with a screen, as an additional place to rest. Warm, cozy, beautiful.

The radiator and heated towel rail can be made an art object. Sometimes it's hard to guess what the heating system looks like.

The yellow square is not a picture, but a battery.

We suggest trying to solve the problem of unaesthetic batteries on your own, for example, using decoupage. Wash the battery thoroughly, make its surface smooth - it is not necessary to completely remove the old paint. First, paint it with plain white enamel. While the battery will dry for a day, take a decoupage card with a pattern that you like. Measure the width of the outer surface of the battery section, cut the card into strips of the desired size. Glue the motif diluted with water in a 1x1 ratio with PVA glue so that it is located exactly in the middle of the battery. Top and bottom of the remaining part without a picture, paint over with acrylic paints. When the paint dries, the entire battery must be coated with a heat-resistant varnish.

You can cover the battery in an original way with the help of a folding frame, inside of which strips of fabric are intertwined.

Needlewomen can sew some kind of fun cover for the radiator. For example, let an unaesthetic metal battery turn into a sheep or other cute animal. Children will definitely be delighted.

A radiator blind is a good alternative if you don't want to use bulky framed screens. For a decorative curtain, choose a fabric that suits your interior. Sew one part of the fabric Velcro to the top of the curtain, and glue the other to the bottom of the window sill above the battery. You can make several curtains and change them depending on your mood.

A simple and original way to mask the battery is with a curved sheet of plywood 4 mm thick. The panel is attached to the wall with 4 screw hooks at a distance of at least 5 cm from the window sill, so as not to interfere with normal air circulation. In order to get a beautiful bend, the panel should be twice as long as the radiator, and its center should be placed strictly in the middle. Stick a decorative self-adhesive furniture film on the front side of the panel.

It is easy to make a universal retractable panel from a fiberboard sheet, which, if necessary, can be easily transferred to another room. It is installed behind the frame frame. For the frame, boards made of fiberboard 1.6 cm thick and 8 cm wide are needed. The horizontal and vertical parts of the frame are glued together.

If the masking panel is first covered with dark paint and then varnished, you get a drawing and note board for children. Also, the panel can be decorated with an application, a picture, or a flock of fish can be cut out in it.

In one of the Moscow apartments there is such a fake plywood fireplace, made by hand. It covers an old cast-iron battery.

The transformation happened like this. From plywood they built the "face" of the fireplace with a window for the firebox, as well as a firebox box with the image of bricks. Then, the decor of the floor and cornice was made from polyurethane skirting boards. A long LED lamp was placed in the firebox to shine. The lamp housing was painted with patches of orange and red paint. The coals depict large stones from a hardware store.

As a child, my mother said that it was impossible to cover the battery, because this was how heat escaped, and in the union it was generally not customary to hide anything, so the idea that the cast-iron colossus did not fit into the interior of the apartment was completely unacceptable! Today everything has changed dramatically. Chips have prepared cool methods and found screens with which you can hide anything from the attentive eyes of envious neighbors.

1. Even if the battery is not old, but the owners of the apartment still do not like its appearance, designers can offer to enlarge the window sill, cover the battery with a table top

2. Wood always looks beautiful, plus it's an eco-friendly option for those who care about nature.

4. Also, the battery in the bathroom can be turned into a full-fledged dryer.

5. Do not forget that sometimes the battery can take on a completely different look if it is washed and painted in a noble color.

7. Sometimes you don’t even need to hide it, it’s enough to correctly fit it into the interior

8. It is also convenient to combine the battery with storage compartments, the only thing you have to take care of is that there are no objects nearby that are dangerous to be near a heat source

10. We have already talked about the tree, but this option deserves special attention. It is designed not to hide the battery, but to point to it. Such a detail becomes a full-fledged part of the interior, its highlight.

13. As you may have noticed, the screens are mainly made of wood, metal boxes are used in warehouses

16. The battery does not have to be hidden, you can focus on it, as in this chest of drawers: storage boxes on top, bottom - glass under which the battery itself is visible

19. If you have the talent of an artist, then you can decorate the battery using decoupage or special paint.

23. The screen, by the way, has not only an aesthetic function. It also reduces the harmful effect of infrared radiation from metal on the body, while not taking away heat.