The starting point
You have an ugly radiator. You have nerve for power tools. The DIY store sells plywood and oak boards. YouTube is full of tutorials. Why not build it yourself?
Three answers: money, time, and result. Let's look closer.
DIY cost calculation (honest)
Example: 100 × 60 × 18 cm radiator cover, comparable to our "Munich" model (€485).
Material
- Oak glue-laminated board 18 mm, ~0.8 m² → €60–90
- Oak slats, ~15 m → €35–55
- Wood glue, dowels, screws → €15
- Sandpaper (grit 80, 120, 180, 240) → €10
- Natural oil (linseed 500 ml) → €18
- Total material: ~€140–190
Tools (if you don't have them)
- Jigsaw or table saw → €150–400
- Random orbital sander → €80–150
- Drill + dowelling jig → €80–120
- Clamps (min. 6) → €60
- Spirit level, square, tape → €30
- Total tools: ~€400–760 (one-time investment)
Time (realistic)
- Planning & shopping: 3 hours
- Cutting: 2 hours
- Gluing & drying: 1 h active + 24 h drying
- Sanding (4 passes): 4 hours
- Oiling (2 coats + drying): 1 h active + 48 h
- Final assembly: 1 hour
- Active work time: 12–14 hours
Manufactory option in comparison
Our "Munich" model (100 × 60 × 18 cm, Natural, free-standing): €485 incl. VAT, free shipping, 12–14 working days, 30-day fit guarantee.
Side-by-side
| DIY | BRANDSTIFTER | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | €140–190 | incl. |
| Tools | €0–760 | — |
| Work time | 12–14 h | 0 h (configurator: 2 min) |
| Lead time | 1–4 weeks | 12–14 working days |
| Fit guarantee | — | 30 days |
| Material warranty | — | 5 years |
| Result quality | variable | millimetre-precise |
| Total cost | ~€450–950 | €485 |
When DIY pays off
DIY is worth it if:
- You already own a hobby workshop with all tools
- You enjoy woodworking as a hobby
- You need custom shapes no manufacturer offers
- You're okay with imperfections (or you see them as character)
When buying is better
Buying is the right call if:
- You don't own tools and don't want to invest one-off
- You want warranty and precision
- You're not handy and the project would frustrate
- You value your time (a manufactory cover "costs" 2 minutes of configurator time)
- You want a professional look (joinery, even slat spacing, natural oil finish)
No tools, no weekend?
Configure your cover in 2 minutes — we build it for you.
Our honest conclusion
For a single piece, DIY rarely makes financial sense. For three or more pieces with tools you already own, it can — if you enjoy the process.
But: 80% of people who contact us have tried it themselves or bought an MDF box first. Both were "okay". Just not what they actually wanted.