Cadet Heaters and Baseboard Trim

[zinck74]

Hi, I just moved into a condo that had carpet with no baseboard trim. I ripped up the carpet and put in a new wood floor. I wanted to put three or four inch tall baseboard trim, but am wondering about the safety because I have forced air cadet heaters and they are pretty low on the wall. If I got something that tall then I would definitely have to cut out a portion to fit around the heater. And then there of course is the warning on the heater itself that no furinishing, etc. should be around the heater. Anyone out there deal with this before? Am I just being a worry wart?

Thanks, Bill

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I just looked at a model at random and they have the instructions on line at

They show an ideal minimum of 12" from the floor, but that is mostly for good air circulation. The absolute minimum is 4 1/2". How hot does the surface gat at the bottom outside? If you can keep your hand on it it should be safe to have baseboard. Seems to me the clearances are more for proper air movement rather than safety since the heating elements are inside the wall.