baseboard heater clearances

[Jon Farley]

I am building a desk/cabinet unit for someone and they want it to have a 'cutout' for their electric baseboard heat so that it can fit flush against the wall. Anyone have any pointers/advise on this one? I'm most concerned with safety and clearance issues. Thanks...Jon

[Norman Pyles]

Go to "Marley Engineered Products" website. They have installation instructions for their baseboard heaters. You are right to be concerned about safety. I have these in my house and they can get pretty hot. Good luck.

[Matthew Voss]

The liquid filled electric baseboard heaters don't rise above 180 deg, which is not high enough to combust wood.

A strip-heat unit has elements that will rise to about 350 deg. Most manufacturers I've seen recomend at least 6 - 12" clearance.