If your home’s interior is looking a bit dull and dreary, there are plenty of ways to give it a fresh new look such as a fresh coat of paint and new accessories, but I bet many of you don’t give much thought to the radiators, which often go overlooked. Fitting new designer radiators might not seem glamorous, but given that there are loads more designs, colours and styles to choose from these days, they really can provide a polished look to any room.
Gone are the days when all you had to choose from was a plain white radiator in a variety of sizes, which was only going to replace a radiator that looked pretty much the same! Today, when shopping for a new radiator, you’ll be surprised at just how many designs are available that will enhance any décor – modern or traditional.
But, there’s more to radiators than meets the eye, so check out these top tips from BigBathroomShop.co.uk on how to choose the best one to suit your requirements.
What to consider before buying a radiator
Before buying new radiators, it’s important to work out the heat that’s required to warm your chosen room. The heat output from all radiators is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), and there’s plenty of BTU calculators available on the web that you can use to work out the required heat output.
You may find that one radiator produces enough heat to warm your room, or you may need more than one to deliver the required amount of BTUs. You can roughly work out how many BTUs are needed by multiplying the height, width and length of the room in feet, and then multiply this figure by 4.
Enhancing a modern interior
Designer radiators are ideal for enhancing any modern interior, and they come in a variety of colours such as black, anthracite and red, as well as matt and glossy finishes to match in with your décor. Offering more than just a heat source, a designer radiator can make a statement and transform the look of any room without too much effort.
Vertical designer radiators are popular with interior designers, as well as homeowners, and they are a great option for where there’s limited wall space. A vertical radiator heats a large area but without taking up too much wall space. Some even incorporate a full length mirror, which is ideal for hallways and bedrooms.
As well as colours and sizes, designer radiators come in a range of profiles. Flat panel radiators help to save space and create a sleek, contemporary look. There’s even radiators with tubular shaped and diamond shaped columns if you fancy something a bit different.
Enhancing a traditional interior
Contemporary not your thing? Then how about opting for a traditional column radiator? Perfect for adding vintage style to your home, a column radiator is made up of vertical tubes and are typically two, three or four columns deep. The more columns, the higher the heat output.
This style of radiator is available in a range of sizes, as well as vertical and horizontal designs. There’s also various finishes including white, black and anthracite. Column radiators can be fitted to the wall or mounted to the floor with specially designed feet and a bracket.
The best place to position your radiators
Ideally your new radiators should be positioned in the coldest part of the room – this is usually next to or underneath the window, or on an outside wall. Before fitting a radiator, it’s a good idea to check the condition of the wall, and repair any cracks.
Take the type of wall into consideration too, as it will need to be strong enough to support the weight of the radiator. A solid wall constructed from brick for example will support a heavy radiator. But if the wall is plasterboard, you will need to identify the location of the studs – these are the timber pieces that plasterboard is fitted to. The radiator should be fitted to the studs as this will be the strongest part of the wall.
If you are experienced at DIY you can fit your new designer radiator yourself, but if you lack the skills, it’s worth paying a professional to install it for you.
*this is a collaborative post
