Bespoke vs Off-the-Shelf Radiator Guards – Why Customisation Matters

In high-performance healthcare, mental health, and education environments, choosing the right radiator guard goes far beyond picking a model out of a catalogue. When safety, infection control, and maintenance efficiency are on the line, bespoke radiator guards often provide a better long-term solution than off-the-shelf alternatives.

In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between bespoke and generic radiator guards and explain why customisation is more than just a nice-to-have. It’s often the difference between a solution that causes headaches and one that fits seamlessly into your space, workflows, and safety requirements.

What is a Bespoke Radiator Guard?

A bespoke radiator guard is one that’s made to order based on the exact dimensions, layout, and requirements of your space. That includes:

• Precise sizing to accommodate your radiator model
• Cut-outs for pipework, TRVs, skirting boards, or other site features
• Mounting options (wall or floor) tailored to your environment
• Choice of grille pattern, steel thickness, fixings, top style and colour
• Integration of safety features like anti-ligature design or BioCote®

At Contour, every Covora, DeepClean and DeepClean Extra guard is made-to-measure, ensuring a perfect fit and performance with no on-site modifications required.

Off-the-Shelf Guards: A False Economy?

While off-the-shelf guards may seem cheaper or faster to source, they can introduce several challenges:

❌ Poor Fit

Generic guards are built to standard sizes, if they don’t fit your radiator, pipework, or wall layout, you may be left with gaps, exposed surfaces, or need to modify them on site, which can compromise safety or aesthetics.

❌ More Work for Installers

If you’re forced to cut around skirting, cables, or TRVs, you risk voiding warranties, damaging protective coatings, or weakening the structure of the guard. It also adds time and cost to installation.

❌ Limited Safety Options

Standard guards may not include options for anti-ligature grilles, internal fixings, or drop-down access panels, meaning they’re unsuitable for high-risk environments like CAMHS or mental health wards.

❌ Inflexible Design Choices

Need a sloping top to reduce ligature risk? Want IP3X-compliant grilles? Or looking for something robust enough for a secure unit? Off-the-shelf models typically can’t accommodate these specific needs.

Why Bespoke Makes Sense

Bespoke radiator guards give you the freedom to specify a product that aligns perfectly with the needs of the space. With Contour, this includes:

✅ Factory-Fitted Cut-Outs

Every guard can be manufactured with precise cut-outs for pipework, skirting, and TRV kits, reducing installation time and protecting the integrity of the powder coating.

✅ Choice of Materials & Strength

Need enhanced durability? Specify 2mm steel or include strengthening struts. Wet environment? Choose Magnelis steel. Budget project? Select Covora Lite - a complete LST solution with fewer frills.

✅ Built-in Cleaning & Access

Drop-down doors on DeepClean and DeepClean Extra models allow safe, solo access for cleaning and maintenance - no estates team required.

✅ Ligature-resistant Design

Where ligature risk is a concern, bespoke anti-ligature solutions like sloping tops, IP3X-rated grilles, back-to-wall TRV shrouds, and Contour Secure compression locks can all be integrated.

✅ Powder Coated Colour Matching

Need a calming, non-institutional finish for a school or SEN space? Want to match the walls of a CAMHS unit? Bespoke guards can be colour-matched to suit your project’s design scheme.

Long-term Savings

Bespoke guards don’t just perform better, they’re also more cost-effective over time.

• Faster, simpler installs = reduced labour costs
• Better fit = less risk of tampering or damage, dust traps or stash points
• Fewer callouts = cleaning and maintenance access is built-in
• Longer lifespan = thanks to better materials and tailored design

You’re not just paying for a product, you’re investing in a solution that supports staff, protects service users, and holds up to the demands of the environment.

Why Bespoke Radiator Guards are Worth the Conversation

If you’re working on a refurbishment or new-build and need radiator guards that do more than just cover a heater, let’s talk.

With Contour, every guard is designed to meet your exact specification, from cut-outs and colour to safety features and access. Because when it comes to protecting people, off-the-shelf just doesn’t cut it.

📧 sales@contourheating.co.uk
📞 01952 290 498
🗓️ Book a free site survey today and start specifying smarter.