How to measure your radiator in 5 minutes

What you need

• A tape measure (at least 3 m)
• Pen & paper
• Optional: spirit level and phone camera

Time: about 5 minutes. You can do this alone — no helper needed.

Step 1: Measure width

Find the maximum width of your radiator — the distance between the outermost left and right points. Important: include the valve and connector pipes (they often stick out 2–5 cm).

Example: Radiator body 88 cm + valve 4 cm = 92 cm width

Now add 3–5 cm clearance on each side so the cover can be slid in and out easily:

→ 92 cm + 6 cm = 98 cm inner width of cover

Step 2: Measure height

From the floor to the top edge of the radiator. Caution: not to the wall bracket — to the highest point of the heating surface.

Want a usable shelf on top? Add 2–4 cm (for material thickness and heat-safe gap).

Step 3: Measure depth

This trips up many people. Depth is measured from the wall (specifically: from the wall connection of the radiator) to the front edge of the heating surface.

Add 2–3 cm clearance so warm air can circulate behind the cover.

The 3 most common mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting the valve

The most common mistake. The radiator itself is, say, 100 cm wide — but the valve at the back-left sticks out 5 cm. The cover gets ordered at 102 cm internal width — and the valve has only 2 cm of clearance. Fitting becomes a struggle.

Fix: Always measure the valve separately, then add at least 3 cm.

Mistake 2: Ignoring an uneven floor

Especially in heritage homes: the floor isn't 100% level. If you measure height at only one point, you get a wrong number. Measure left, centre, right — and take the largest value.

Mistake 3: Overlooking the skirting board

The cover sits on the floor — but next to a skirting board. If your cover is wider than the open floor space between skirting boards, it won't fit.

Fix: Measure the free floor space between skirting boards — that's the maximum outer width of your cover.

Where do you enter the measurements?

In the configurator you enter the final outer dimensions of the cover (so including all clearance allowances). We build it exactly that way.

Unsure?

Take a photo of the radiator with a tape measure, send it to hello@brandstifter.online — we check it free and reply within 24 hours.