Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are these baseboards secured to the wall?
A: Screws and special square washers for securing baseboard to the wall (through horizontal slots in the baseboard) are included with each unit (1 set for every 16" of baseboard length).
Q: What is the maximum length for assembled baseboard?
A: A short answer would be 18ft max. However, factors such as number of installers, prior experience with cast iron baseboard assembly, boiler & circulator pump capacity must be considered. A foot length of baseboard weighs ~17lbs. For 18ft length this would equal ~306 lbs of weight and 9 sections, making this a challenge. For this reason, we generally recommend to limit assembly length to 8-10ft max.
Q: What is the difference between standard cast iron baseboards, Assemblies and Sections?
A: Standard baseboard are solid, 1-piece cast iron construction - these are available in 1.5ft (18") and 2ft (24") lengths only. They have standard FNPT threaded connections on both sides.
All units which have the words "Assembly" in the product name are assembled from multiple sections and have standard 3/4" FNPT connections on both sides - these units cannot be expanded (added to) to make a longer baseboard, except when joining two baseboards with plain threaded pipe nipples and standard unions (but this joining would not be seamless).
All units which have the words "Section" in the product name are individual sections, intended only for assembly (not for individual use/installation) with other sections. These are designated as "Left", "Right" and "Center". The Left section has a support leg and standard 3/4" FNPT connections on the left and specialized push-nipple connections (for joining another baseboard section on the right). The opposite applies to the right section. The center section has push nipple connections on both sides and has no leg supports. These baseboard sections can be combined to create any length of baseboard needed in half foot increments.
Q: How multiple sections are assembled together?
A: Please note: only products called "Sections" can be joined together.
To join two cast iron baseboard sections, the following tools & parts are needed:
1. Baseboard assembly tool
2. Push nipple kit (2 push nipples) + sealing paste
3. Tie bolt & nut kit (plain threaded bolt and nut)
First, sealing paste is applied to push nipples which are then inserted into either section. Second, sections are pushed/compressed together using an assembly tool. Finally, tie bolt is used to secure two sections together and prevent them from coming apart.
To ensure proper assembly, please contact us for details.
Q: Are end caps included with the baseboard?
A: No, the end caps are sold separately.
Q: Series of Home-Run piping - which is better?
A: Due to large thermal mass and high output of cast iron baseboards, Home-Run style piping (where each baseboard have dedicated supply and return line) is a preferred and recommended choice for hot water applications.
Q: How should this baseboard it be piped?
A: Cast iron baseboard has (4) 3/4" FNPT connections - (2) on the left side and (2) on the right. For hot water applications, standard and commonly accepted method is to use lower connections for supply/return and one of the upper ports for an air vent, leaving the other upper port plugged.
Another method is to use both inlets and both outlets to ensure optimum flow, heat distribution and output. Example:
In a typical hot water baseboard/radiator installation, the supply pipe comes up from (and through) the floor and goes into the radiator's inlet side. The return pipe connects to the outlet of the radiator/baseboard and goes back into the floor or adjacent wall.
With cast iron baseboard, the vertical supply line is split in (2) using a standard tee - the side tee outlet connects to the lower baseboard inlet and the vertical supply continues up and makes a 90-degree turn to connect o the upper inlet. Same on the outlet side. This is not a conventional method and is more labor intensive, but offers better results.
Q: Is this baseboard compatible with steam?
A: Yes, it can be used with steam (2-pipe systems) or hot water. We advise to carefully size piping for steam applications, as the baseboard connection is only 3/4" FNPT.
Q: Are assembled baseboard truly "seamless"?
A: A very small seam is still visible, but it can be easily sanded/filed for a truly seamless look. Since most of cast iron baseboards are painted, this seam is barely noticeable.
