One of the problems we face in home design is related to masking pipes , whether we are referring to masking radiator pipes or sanitary pipes, gas supply pipes, and sometimes even masking certain electrical cables, which appeared after the completion of the main electrical installation.
Added to these are the pipes from air conditioning systems, kitchen hoods or other devices in our own homes, for which we should find at least effective pipe masking alternatives.
The negative effects of unmasked pipes and ducts
If we do not mask the pipes in the home, it will create visual discomfort, to which will be added the feeling of crowding and lack of personality of the space. Masking the pipes makes it possible to better maintain cleanliness, substantially reducing the creation of areas conducive to the accumulation of dust and even dirt. The masking procedure for pipes and ducts creates aesthetic, continuous surfaces, without obstacles or crowded areas, much easier to clean.
In the same vein, a pipe that is hidden in a covered plastic gutter is easier to clean, and if the gutter were buried and the cover closed at wall level, the appearance would be much nicer and cleaning at wall level would be much easier.
A radiator covered by a panel would probably have a slightly reduced efficiency, but it would certainly be much easier to keep clean, and this way the entire home would be kept clean more easily.
Most often, the boiler is installed in the kitchen and does not match the furniture there in terms of design or color. This is why it is often hidden in a cabinet to balance the layout.
Practical tips for masking pipes and ducts in the home
1. Skirting board . Positioned at floor level, there are wall fixing elements for two or even three pipes, with a maximum diameter of 22 mm. These parts have the ability to fix a plastic skirting board to the wall that will cover the pipes. The skirting board has connecting elements for elbows, whether they are closed or open. The skirting board can be made of white plastic or covered with a sticker that imitates different types of wood.
2. Exposed channels for masking gas columns or other vertical pipes. Gas supply columns are generally arranged in a corner of the kitchen, less often in the middle of the wall. In both situations, but also for pipes connecting floors for the heating system, plastic masks can be used with corner or middle wall fixing. The pipe fixing system also has the role of supporting the pipe mask. The mask can be made of plastic, rigid polymer or high-density polyurethane. The mask is covered with a layer of primer that allows it to be painted like the rest of the wall on which it is fixed.
3. Plasterboard mask. The pipes of the bathroom or kitchen plumbing are masked by a plasterboard mask that can be subsequently painted with washable paint just like the wall, which can be beautifully finished and painted as such.
4. Decorative cornices . Many horizontal pipes that are close to the ceiling can be hidden under skirting boards or with polystyrene cornices. If the pipes are fixed close to the ceiling, below 10 cm, polystyrene cornices of sufficient size can be found to cover them. If the distance to the ceiling is greater than 10 cm, it can be lowered onto the wall with a skirting board profile, which allows the pipes to be covered and possibly with an indirect lighting system, which can be of great effect.
5. Apparent wall or false beam. The ventilation ducts from apartment heating systems or hoods can be masked with cabinet units of the same design as the rest of the kitchen units or apparent plasterboard walls. Either the ventilation ducts are hidden in the cabinets, if they are very high, up to near the ceiling, or a false beam is built from plasterboard between the countertop and the ceiling, to hide the ducts.
6. Furniture body. The body of the boiler will be masked with a stackable body, with a size of at least 3 cm on each side, larger than the boiler, so that there is no fire hazard. The interior walls of the furniture should be insulated with fireproof material, which would also create sound insulation.
7. Decorative cabinets for closing the heating system. In many rooms, under the window sill there is a radiator with its pipes. If the window sill is wide, a cabinet can be made to mask the radiator pipes. The panel under which the radiator will be located will have open slots that will allow the circulation of warm air masses. The rest of the cabinet will hide the pipes, and where space allows, shelves or drawers will be created to profitably use the existing space.
8. Decorative elements. Use thick twine for a boho chic design. Cover the pipe or pipes with thick hemp twine, attach some fabric-covered shelves to the wall and get a boho design that your cat will definitely appreciate.
9. Shelves. The horizontal pipes in the hallways can become a good shelf support. We will cover the pipe with thick hemp twine. Every 60 centimeters, let’s say, we will hang vertical strings to which wooden shelves can be attached at different levels. This way it can be organized as a small library or shelves for various decorations.
10. False decorative columns built around vertical or even horizontal pipes, which can be easily detached to inspect the pipes and ducts, and which can be joined together by shelves, boxes, and drawers, which can form a useful support for various records, magazines, or even books.
