Attaching MDF Radiator Covers to wall

[dunxd]

A few years back I got some radiator covers to hide unsightly radiators in my house. They are MDF, look great and I can live with any impact they have on radiator efficiency.

However, they were fitted to the wall with MDF blocks cut to hook into recesses under the top shelf. These blocks have totally deteriorated, and the company that supplied the covers has disappeared. So I'm looking for a solution to fix the radiator covers to the wall.

It just needs to stop the covers from leaning out from the wall and toppling over - they are floor standing so it doesn't need to take the weight of the whole thing.

The covers are totally stuck together, so I can't just use L brackets to screw them to the wall.

I'm thinking some kind of z shaped metal bracket would do. If they were the right dimensions they would provide a metal "hook" that fits into the recess just enough to hold the covers upright. Unfortunately I am not having much luck searching for "z bracket", "z brace" etc. I'm not sure what such a thing is called.

Can anyone help me name what I am looking for or suggest an alternative solution?

 

[big-all]

when i make radiator cover i measure the radiator to wall measurement call it 50mm
i then make up a tapered wedge say 6-8" long if the top off the radiator to under cover is say 3" to the 50mm point i will make the 50mm 4" from the top
so place wedges behind the radiator slide the cover back until it touches mark under cover level
cut 2 or 3mm longer glue and sit cover in place till dry
the cover will only be removable if there are no horizontal cuts for pipes
do not be tempted to glue the wedges on away from the radiator as any deviation in the wall will effect the exact position off the wedges

 

[rsgaz]

Unfortunately I am not having much luck searching for "z bracket", "z brace" etc. I'm not sure what such a thing is called.

"Z channel" might be what your after. Can you post a picture of what you have now?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163443107563

 

[dunxd]

What I have now are some disintegrated MDF blocks that don't serve the purpose any more, and never really fit for it.

Cross section looked roughly like this:
.__.
|..|_.
|....| wall side
|____|

Sorry about the ASCII art attempt. Ignore the dots.

The short bit sticking up fits into a recess in the radiator cover top. The shorter sits against wall, to which it is screwed.

I'm really looking for a metal version that replaces this.

Something that looked like

|
|__.
...|
...|

Would probably do the trick, if it was the right dimensions.

Cursing the company who did this - they must have known MDF isn't suitable for machining in this way.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Not sure if it would be suitable in your case, but many timber yards can supply pre-machined softwood (or MDF) split battens (also called French cleats). There are interlocking aluminium systems around called "Z-bars" or "aluminium split battens" but they are dimensionally intolerant, so if your wall isn't absolutely flat you'll end up pulling your hair out trying to get them to work. We use them for wall boards, etc in shops and bars, etc and they can be a royal PIA to install onto

 

[foxhole]

I just use a screw under top left protruding , then screw eye into wall, lift case onto screw eye so screw drops into it . Simple and easy to adjust.