so, i want to build a window seat.

[mopinko]

i will post some pics later, when i find the &^%$ing cord for the camera.

but i am thinking about a fairly large seat in the bay of my front room. my big problems is that it would go over a radiator. it is a kinda big one, oversized after other stupid changes to the system over the years. it is a short one that you can sit on. i think that the whole enclosure will be big enough to still allow access to the thing. the seat part will lift up for minor stuff. but i think that overall, it is roomy enough if it ever has to be removed, or ?
i plan to make as much of it as possible out of 2x4 framing, hardibacker, and tile. i think this will radiate the heat plenty for the room. the seat will have to be something else, and i am thinking i need to find some solid wood, as i don't like the idea of plywood on the radiator. hardibacker and tile would be heavy.

so, any ideas? comments?

[Warpy]

1. What you might do is frame out the seat

and use a metal grille in the front so you don't heat the enclosure and not the room. I'd bag the storage idea since you'd waste heat that way, too.

The seat can safely be made out of plywood, then, with cushions on top.

A lot of places make great decorative grilles that you can get by the sheet.

I've done this with old time steam radiators and ended up with a warm room and books on top that didn't get cooked.

[mopinko]

2. i actually want to cool this room down, so....

and i don't want to lift the top for storage, but for access to bleed the radiator, etc.
i just don't like plywood anywhere where it is going to outgas. i think that it might there.

i might do a couple of small grills, but it will be about 10' across, so i have room for tile. mmmm. tile.
maybe i could find some interesting old floor registers to incorporate into the front.

[Warpy]

3. That would work, too!

I also understand the problem with outgasing, but wood that is kept hot and dry has a tendency to fail before plywood does. You're between the devil and the deep blue sea there.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

4. Welders do creative design work

Check out a fabrication shop and get a welder to show you creative design works. Buy it as is out of the shop and have it professionally spray painted. Or some specialty fabrication shops do painting too.