Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about End Caps for Baseboard Heaters

Hydronic, or hot water baseboard heaters are fairly simple but getting a grasp on all the parts (and what they're called) can seem a little daunting at first.

End caps are one of the parts that may have you scratching your head. Not to fear! We'll tell you everything you need to know about end caps for baseboard heaters.

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Short baseboard heater with white cover and closed endcaps.

What Is An Endcap?

A baseboard heater end cap, also known as a baseboard heater end cover or end cap cover, is a component used to enclose and protect the exposed end of a baseboard heater. The endcap is the piece at the ends of the baseboard heater that cover up the raw panel edges and the copper pipes that carry the hot water. They finish off the look and protect the inner workings of the heater.

There are three different types of endcap. This is because the copper pipes and heating fins can be installed in three different ways. The endcap you choose will depend on your current installation.

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Which Type of Endcap Do You Need?

Closed end cap for baseboard heater in white.

Closed Endcap

The closed endcap is used when the copper pipe at the end of the baseboard heater turns 90 degrees into the floor or into the wall. It is called "closed" because once installed, it closes off your baseboard heater on the ends.Ā 

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Open end cap for baseboard heater in white.

Open Endcap

The open endcap is used when the copper pipe at the end of the baseboard heater continues on straight into the next room without bending. The endcap itself has an opening on its side for the copper pipe to pass through. It provides a finish for your raw heater panels despite that the copper pipe is exposed slightly.

Now Available!

Open end caps are now available in every style and color at Baseboarders.Ā 

Shop Open End Caps

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Zero clearance end cap for baseboard heater in white.

Zero Clearance Endcap

Invented by Baseboarders in 2012, this "false" endcap will work in all situations where the baseboard heater comes too close to the wall to install regular endcaps. The endcap has both edges open and slips on like a coupler. It is visually indistinguishable from a regular end cap.

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Endcaps Add Adjustability

Fun fact, adding endcaps can actually give you more versatility. They are installed by sliding onto the baseboard heater panel. Because they slide, you can actually move them in and out up to 1.75 inches on each side of the panel. So if you need a bit of extra length, or need to tighten things up a bit, endcaps give you a total of 3 1/2 inches to work with.Ā 

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Watch the video for a demonstration of each type of end cap, how they are installed, and how to make use of those extra 3 1/2 inches.Ā 

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