Do I need straight, angled or corner radiator valves?

You have bought your radiator, but the question of radiator valves has now come up.  So which type do you need?

Radiator valves for a long time just came in "straight" versions, for use on towel rails with underside connections, if pipes came from the floor. or "angled" versions for use on any "standard" radiator or when pipes came from the floor. 

However with an increasing range of radiator styles available and with an increased customer demand for the smartest and most stylish options, valve manufacturers have sought to increase the choice available not just in style, but also in format, to ensure the neatest finish.  As they say, the devil's in the detail!

A radiator expert, such as Feature Radiators, can identify which valve format you need for your situation depending on the style of radiator you choose, the position of the valve connections and the position of your pipework. 

So watch this video for more information or just give us a call directly for some tailored advice on 01274 567789 or, for more information, visit www.featureradiators.co.uk.

Radiator Valves – angled, straight or corner - which ones do I need?

Feature Radiators, a radiator expert, has provided below some helpful advice on which valves they would recommend for different radiator set-ups, enabling you to make an informed decision when buying radiator valves.

 

1. Are your pipes already installed? 

You may be starting from scratch without any pipes installed; in this instance, you can probably choose where you want your pipes to come from (wall or floor).  This means you have freedom when it comes to choosing your radiator and valves.

However, as is often the case, you may already have your pipework installed.  You may be able to have this moved but, if not, this may narrow down your radiator and valve choices. 

2. “Wall-mounted” or “floor-mounted”?

A question we are often asked is whether a particular type of radiator can be “wall-mounted” or “floor-mounted”.  

• “Wall-mounted” means that the radiator is hung from the wall on brackets (without feet).  However there is a common misconception among homeowners that “wall-mounted” means that the pipes come out of the wall. 
• “Floor-mounted” means that the radiators are sat on the floor, usually on “feet”.  Again however customers often think that this means that the pipes come from the floor. 

Whether the radiator is hung from a wall or sat on feet, the pipes can come from wherever you need them to; out of the wall, out of the floor, along the skirting board, etc.  This position of your pipes does not affect your choice of radiator, but it does affect your choice of valve.

3. Position of valve connections?

In order to choose the best valves, you firstly need to know if your radiator has “side connections” or “underside connections”.

 

Side connections

The connections for the valves (holes) are situated at the bottom of the radiator on either side.  This is the norm for standard corrugated panel radiators and traditional style cast iron radiators.  This type of connection is also known as BBOE or Bottom Bottom Opposite Ends.

Underside connections

The connections for the valves (holes) are situated underneath the radiator, at either end or centrally at 50mm apart.  This is the norm for ladder style towel radiators and is common on many modern vertical radiators, which are designed to take up a minimum amount of wall space. 

 

4. Position of pipes?

Choose your particular set-up from the list below:

 

• Pipes coming up from the floor on a radiator with side connections = you need “angled” valves

The head of the valves would sit upright, either side of the radiator. 

 

• Pipes coming up from the floor on a radiator with underside connections = you need “straight” valves

The valves would sit underneath the radiator and the head of the valves can be twisted so they are in-line with the bottom of the radiator and do not protrude into the room.

• Pipes coming out of the wall on a radiator with side connections = you can choose from “angled” or “corner” valves

Traditionally installers would use angled valves, but this means that the valves would lie flat either side of the radiator and the valve heads would stick forward into the room usually beyond the front of the radiator.  A neater alternative is to use corner valves, which means that the valves would be either side of the radiator but the heads of the valves would sit upright, rather than protruding into the room.

• Pipes coming out of the wall on a radiator with underside connections = you can choose from “angled” or “corner” valves

Traditionally installers would use angled valves, but this means that the valves would sit underneath the radiator and the valve heads would stick forward into the room usually beyond the front of the radiator.  A neater alternative is to use corner valves, which means that the valves would sit underneath the radiator and the heads of the valves would sit horizontally, rather than protruding into the room.

 

Manual or thermostatic?

 

Remember, you also need to decide whether you need thermostatic or manual valves.  Please see our article regarding the differences via the link below.

http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/Articles/Radiator%20valves%20thermostatic%20or%20manual.htm

Positioning of radiators

When revamping your heating system you may feel restricted by the current position of pipework. However, with radiator technology coming on leaps and bounds over recent years and the ever improving insulation of properties, you no longer need to feel restricted by the standard conventions for radiator installation.

Radiators were historically always situated in the coldest part of a room, often against an outside wall or under a window, where the cold air drops to the floor. This meant that radiators were traditionally always around 600mm or 2ft high.

There was logic behind this standard at the time. Older properties that were poorly insulated with single glazing were prone to draughts; if a radiator was positioned on a wall opposite the window, this would cause cold air to be drawn across the floor due to the convection process. So a radiator was put under the window to help eliminate the cold draught problem.

Nowadays, though, most properties are far better insulated and double-glazing is rapidly becoming the norm. Alongside this, radiators are now available in a wealth of shapes and sizes and are definitely no longer the “normal” corrugated panels that we have become accustomed to. This means that you can now choose a radiator in the size and shape that you want, and position them, to best suit your room design.

With so many different radiator options now available, there are likely to be several possible places where you could put your radiators. So consider the following points when deciding on a setting for your radiators:

· Try and make the best use of space where possible and don’t be restricted by the positioning of current pipework. A new radiator in a new position might free up valuable wall space. For instance, it might be worth considering switching from a horizontal radiator, to a vertical model that can be installed in a corner or alcove, a place that would have previously been considered unusable.

· If you are opting for full length curtains, then the radiators should not be placed under the windows as much of the heat will be shut behind the curtains when they are closed.

· In a lounge, it is preferable not to put a radiator behind furniture such as a sofa, which may absorb the radiant heat. However, if your options are limited and behind furniture is the best position available, then it is better to look at radiators that are designed to ‘convect’ i.e. emit heat from the top, rather than models that ‘radiate’ i.e. emit heat from the front.

· In a kitchen, units often take up most available wall space, so the best solution may be a tall slim radiator, to fit behind the door or fill a space that you previously considered to not be wide enough for a radiator.

· In a bathroom, where a radiator is often used to dry towels, consider where the radiator will be in relation to the bath or basin.

· Why not consider positioning radiators to highlight a particular feature of the room? For example, you could place two identical radiators symmetrically, one each side of an entrance, archway or window. Or you could consider aligning the top of a vertical radiator with the top of a door, a window or a painting; the radiator will seek to draw the eye upwards towards the feature.

In conclusion, the radiator world is your oyster! No longer do you need to go for the boring bog-standard radiators we are used to, that often take up much needed wall space. Instead, look at your room afresh and speak to a radiator specialist for some advice on which products might best suit your space.

For more information on where to position your radiators, then speak to an expert such as Feature Radiators. Browse their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk, call their specialist team on 01274 567789 or visit them at their showroom in The Old Post Office, 134-140 Main Street, Bingley, West Yorkshire. BD16 2HL.