Radiators for kitchens

The kitchen is increasingly becoming the heart of the home, so it’s no surprise that radiator experts are often asked: “Which radiator is best for a kitchen?” The answer will depend on the specifics of your kitchen, but there are some common factors that apply to all kitchens when considering heating.

Heat output
This is always the first and most important factor. Speak to a radiator specialist or heating engineer to find out how much heat your kitchen needs from radiators to ensure a comfortable environment.

Space
As kitchen cabinets often take up the majority of wall space, finding a suitable place on the wall for a radiator can be a challenge. However, with so many different shapes and sizes of radiators available, there is likely to be a simple solution, such as a vertical radiator that can be positioned behind a door or on a pillar taking up otherwise unused space.

Hanging tea towels
You may wish to dry tea towels on a kitchen radiator so options could include a heated towel rail in ladder style with towel hanging space or, for more heat output, go for a radiator with a towel-hanging rail attached.

Valves
Due to the fluctuating temperature of a kitchen, from the hob, oven and other appliances, experts recommend the installation of thermostatic valves. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) have an in-built temperature sensor. The thermostatic valve maintains room temperature, by automatically adjusting the heat output from the radiator.
This means that you can make the most of any “free” heat the room receives, such as that from the sun, gas cookers or electrical appliances. As the valve is controlled automatically, it turns itself up and down, ensuring the radiators perform as efficiently as possible, reducing energy waste. For this reason, TRVs are the environmentally friendly valve choice.

Hygiene
It’s always worth considering hygiene when choosing appliances and materials for use in the kitchen. Radiators with a smooth finish are generally easier to wipe clean than radiators with a textured finish. Where possible, it is a good idea for the radiator’s pipework to come out of the wall instead of up from the floor. This will make mopping the floor easier and will limit areas where dirt could build up.

Matching
In order to really finish off a room and ensure a high quality finish, clever matching of finishes is essential. This can be done in all manner of ways as considered below.
Is there an Aga or Rayburn in your kitchen? If so, look for a matching paint finish on your radiator.
Going for granite worktops? Then consider a granite radiator; choose from a variety of stones such as Nero Assoluto. You can now even get radiators made of Silestone, a natural quartz material that is popular for use on kitchen work surfaces.
If you have a cooker hood in a brushed finish, then why not consider a radiator in brushed stainless steel to match.
And for those finishing touches, don’t forget your valves; a high quality valve in a matching finish can link key features together. Why not match your radiator valves to your light switches, cabinet handles and/or plug sockets for a high-end look.

Don't rush into a decision when considering the radiator(s) in your kitchen design. Think carefully about the position, design, practicality and finish of your radiator. Speak to an expert who will be able to guide you in the right direction, helping you avoid common pitfalls and enabling you to make the best choice for the heart of your home.

To speak to a real radiator specialist, contact Feature Radiators. Their expert team are available Monday to Saturday, so call them on 01274 567789 (10 lines), contact them via their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/ or visit them in their West Yorkshire showroom where they have over 250 radiators on display.

What differentiates towel rails and radiators?

A customer asked me the other day, “What’s the difference between these towel rails as one is much more expensive than the other?” So I answered the question, justifying the price difference and realised that this is a common enquiry and something worth addressing properly.

Heated towel rails or radiators for bathrooms are now considered the norm in the UK. Almost all new properties now include a ladder style radiator and the market has rapidly become flooded with options, with huge variation in quality and, consequently, price.

However, opting for the “cheapest” option for heating is rarely a worthwhile investment in the long term and customers usually find that they get what they pay for.

So how do towel radiators vary? What differences should you be looking out for?
Below we have detailed the various points to consider when purchasing towel radiators, helping you avoid the old saying: “buy cheap, buy twice”.

General

· Guarantee period – A relatively short guarantee period may indicate poor quality welding or chroming. You should be looking for a radiator with a minimum guarantee period of 5 years for central heating models.
· Independent testing - Are the radiators tested to EN442, the official European Standard? This certificate guarantees that a radiator meets the minimum standards on various aspects including heat output, material thickness, pressure testing, paint quality, product labelling and safety.
· Heat output - Has an independent laboratory tested the heat output of the radiator? A BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association) certificate or similar will confirm that the heat output stated has been confirmed by an independent expert.
· Awards and accreditations – Independent recognition helps to ensure that the radiator is of a good quality and practical design.

Design

· Sizes available – Mass production can help keep costs down on towel radiators, however this often means there is a limited range of sizes available. For instance, you may not have the option of 300mm wide towel rails that maybe perfect for use in your downstairs cloakroom or loo.
· Position of brackets – Rails may include brackets that don’t maximise the space for holding towels as much as they could. Consider going for towel radiators with the brackets located at the edges as this leaves the full width of the radiator free on which to hang towels.
· Position of bars - Closely spaced bars maximise the heat output of a towel rail but are not a feature on cheap rails as they are more difficult to manufacture, especially in chromed versions. For this reason, a high quality chrome rail may often offer a better heat output than a cheaper chrome towel rail in an equivalent size.

Material

· Grades of chrome – Chrome towel rails are still a popular choice, and the quality of chrome varies hugely between models. A luxurious, thick application of chrome adds to the look and the durability of a product. It is recommended that radiators must have at least level “SC2” chrome to ensure that they are suitable for use in spaces with condensation such as bathrooms.
· Consider stainless steel - Recent trends have led to an increase in stainless steel radiator options. This inert metal offers various benefits as due to it’s non-corrosive properties; for instance, it has a long life expectancy meaning guarantees are often 20 or 25 years and it does not have to be used in conjunction with corrosion inhibitor. Stainless steel towel rails also offer better heat outputs than similar models in chrome, as it is bare metal finish as opposed to a coated metal finish. Polished stainless steel offers a finish that is virtually identical to chrome, and stainless steel is also available in a brushed finish giving an alternative matt effect.

Service

Always bear in mind the service provided when you purchase heating for your bathroom. Follow the guide below to ensure you get the best service possible and minimise the chance of encountering problems.

· Choose a reputable supplier. Look for reviews or feedback online, or ask friends and family whom they used when buying a towel radiator.
· Look for awards and accreditations. Independent recognition of the supplier will help back-up their reputation, and will indicate that they have a brand they care about and wish to protect.
· Use a radiator specialist. Even bathroom retailers may have limited knowledge on heating. By using a true specialist, you can get any technical and installation questions answered quickly and accurately.
· Ask how long they have been selling radiators for. Although the towel radiator industry is relatively young, a reputable supplier should have a number of years of successful trading behind them.
· Avoid online only sellers and “Add to basket” shopping. If a radiator or towel rail is chosen without expert advice, it can often lead to the wrong products being ordered, causing problems for all parties involved.
· Find out if they have a showroom. High quality premises can indicate a long-term outlook for the business. If you can’t visit their premises “in the flesh”, then why not look at their showroom online?
· Ask about after-sales service. For instance, does the supplier have technical specialists and a helpline? Some retailers have been known to fob off customers with the phone number of the warehouse, when they report a faulty product.

It’s clear from the above that choosing a heated towel rail or radiator for your bathroom may not be the most straightforward decision, but by following the guidance detailed above, your towel radiator won’t be a false economy.

For more information on buying good quality, durable heated towel rails and radiators with a high end finish, then speak to a specialist such as Feature Radiators. Their expert team will help you to choose the best radiator for your situation, so contact them on 01274 567789, visit them at their showroom in Bingley, West Yorkshire or see http://www.featureradiators.co.uk

Will a towel rail heat my bathroom?

Do heated towel rails function as radiators or do I need to install additional heating in my bathroom?

Yes, you can use a heated towel rail as the only heat source in your bathroom, provided it gives out enough heat.

Towel rails fall into two categories: those used solely to warm towels (where a separate radiator is used to heat the bathroom) and those used to both warm towels and heat the bathroom.

All too often, people swap their bathroom radiator for a towel rail, without taking account of heat output. This can result in warm towels in an otherwise cold and miserable bathroom – especially in winter! With a bit of expert advise, this scenario can be avoided. Once you know what heat output your bathroom needs (your plumber or radiator specialist can work it out for you) then it’s a case of matching this to the right heat output.

If your bathroom is compact and well insulated, you shouldn’t have a problem in finding a towel rail that will heat your bathroom adequately. If your bathroom is large and not well insulated, most towel rails will not have the capacity to keep your bathroom warm, or may need to be ridiculously big in order to give out enough heat. The good news is that the radiator industry is finally responding to this problem. There are now several stylish and compact towel rails on the market, designed to maximize heat output with integral hanging rails.

For more information contact Feature Radiators, http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/, 01274 567789