Radiator Type:

It is important to select the right type of radiator for your requirements. There are three main type of radiators: central heating, electric and dual fuel.

Understanding the different types of radiators:

• Central heating radiators are connected to your homes central heating system.
• Electric radiators are independent from the homes central heating system and use an electrical element to heat up. These are ideal for apartments, or extensions without access to a central heating system.
• Dual fuel radiators are connected to the central heating system and also linked to an electrical element, allowing them to be used as part of your central heating system or individually. These are great for bathrooms and kitchens which have different heating needs through out the year, especially in the summer.

Something else to consider is the radiator material. You can read more on this in our “Choosing Between Aluminium and Steel Radiators” blog.

Radiator Size:

The next thing to consider is the physical size of the radiator. Generally speaking the larger the radiator the greater the heat outputs, however this will depend on a number of different factors such as material, the products surface area and the amount of water the product holds.

It is important to take into account the maximum height and width your wall can take as well as factoring in the maximum depth and projection of the radiator.

You may also wat to consider the wall that your radiator to be hung on and its weight baring capabilities. If you are looking to install the radiator on a stud wall we would recommend Aluminium Radiators due to them being lighter than other materials. A great example of this is the Pica from DQ Heating.

Radiator Design and Colour:

In the past radiators were practical but not desirable, now we are spoilt for choice with a huge range of different designer radiators available. Designer radiators are now available in a wide range of different shapes and colours from stainless steel, polished chrome, to more contemporary finishes like anthracite, black, grey and many more. Being creative with your radiator choice can provide an eye-catching feature for your home as well as being practical.

Should you be looking for a traditional radiator our wide range of mild steel Column Radiators and Cast Iron Radiators are a great place to start looking. If you are looking for something a bit more bespoke why not use our handy Radiator Builder to help you create your perfect made to measure column radiator?  

If you are looking for a more modern radiator why not check out our Designer Radiator selection, remember to use the filters to narrow down the options that would work best for you and your home.

If you are looking for towel rail why not check out our huge range of Heated Towel Rails and be sure to take a look at our recent Bathroom Radiators Blog for additional factors to consider when heating your bathroom.

Additional Accessories and Radiator Valves:

The final consideration to make is the radiator valves and any additional accessories you may want to add. When selecting the correct valves for your radiator it is important to understand where the pipework will be coming from and how the radiator is fed.

Radiator valves are either thermostatic meaning that the radiator can be turned up or down independently without effecting other radiators in your system, or manual meaning that the radiator is either on or off with no control over the setting. Radiator valves will typically come as Angled (Supply from underneath of the radiator assuming side connections), Corner (supply from out of the wall assuming side connections) and Straight (Supply from underneath assuming bottom connections).

Additionally, you might want to consider Sleeve Kits to hide any pipework and complete the look.

You may also want to think about Radiator Feet to help with weight baring depending on the radiator you are considering. When installing Cast Iron radiators you might want to think about installing some Luxury Wall Stays to complete the look. Finally you might want to consider adding Towel Hangers to your radiator which work perfectly in kitchens and bathrooms depending on the radiator you are considering (These will be specific to the radiator and aren’t interchangeable).

Conclusion:

Shopping for a new radiator is a lot easier once you have considered the heating requirements of your room, the type of radiator you require, the size you have available and the radiator design you would like. By understanding these key points you are sure to select a radiator that looks great and most importantly is effective for your needs. We have a huge range of Designer Radiators available in all different colours, materials and sizes. For further advice please feel free to Contact Us and a member of our friendly sales team would be more than happy to help.