Our Ultimate Bathroom Radiators Buying Guide
Looking to spruce up your bathroom? Then a new bathroom radiator could be the way to go. We understand that investing in a new bathroom radiator may not be the first thing to come to mind when redecorating. But, it can have a big impact on the style and mood of your bathroom. From modern heated towel rails and cool chrome to vertical radiators for small space or unique designer radiators for a statement. There are many options to choose from! Here, we’ve created a complete bathroom radiators buying guide with everything you need to consider when choosing the perfect radiator.What Size Bathroom Radiator Should You Get?
First thing’s first, think about the size of the radiator you’ll need. It’s important to get the size right as having too large a radiator will look out of place. But, a radiator that’s too small won’t give off the desired amount of heating - especially in the winter months. To work out the perfect sized radiator for your bathroom, you’ll need to find out the dimensions of the bathroom, window size and wall material to work out the heat requirements. You can input this information into our BTU calculator which will then use the data to give you the total number of BTUs needed to heat the room. Once you’ve calculated the BTUs, you can then select the correct Delta for your system. A radiator has several Delta ratings to represent how it will work. Higher delta numbers mean a higher boiler temperature is in place. All suppliers of radiators as part of BS EN 442 and the Construction Products Regulations must show on their products the Delta 30 and the Delta 50 heat outputs.Bathroom Radiator Materials and Colours
Radiators can come in all different materials and colours to suit your style and bathroom colour scheme. From classic white bathroom radiators that’s ideal for fresh, clean interiors, or modern chrome radiators or even a stylish black radiator, there’s something for everyone. Of course, it’s not all about the aesthetics, you also need to consider which material will work best for your needs. All of our radiators are tested and manufactured to BS EN 442, meaning you don’t have to worry about them rusting or leaking. Steel and aluminium radiators are typically the most popular as they often have great heat output, are very durable, plenty of shapes and sizes available and the lowest running costs compared to cast iron radiators which are best left in the past.Different Bathroom Radiator Styles
These days, there are many beautiful radiator designs and styles to choose from and create your dream bathroom. Whether you’re going for a modern escape, a cosy cottage or minimalist spa-style, there’ll be a radiator out there to suit your every need.Traditional Bathroom Radiators
You can’t go wrong with a traditional style bathroom radiator. Although more modern designs are becoming increasingly popular, if you’re looking for a Victorian-era inspired heated or something more rustic to fit the current style of your bathroom, traditional is best.
Designer Bathroom Radiators
If you’ve recently redesigned your bathroom and are now looking for a more contemporary and stylish radiator to either blend seamlessly with your decor or make a statement, then designer bathroom radiators are ideal. These glamorous, eye-catching designer radiators will add a touch of luxury to your home and will still make the most of your space.Ladder Bathroom Radiators
Whether you go for a straight ladder radiator or a curved ladder radiator, this style will look good in any bathroom setting. Their simple lines and shapes will easily enhance the look of your space while offering a powerful performance too. Ideal for smaller bathrooms, ladder radiators are an efficient yet discreet place to store your towels and warm your bathroom too.
Mirrored Bathroom Radiators
Mirrored bathroom radiators are another excellent choice if you’re looking to save some space as they’ll provide heating for the room, a place to warm your towels and a useful bathroom mirror too. These stylish and innovative designs can make a real modern statement in your bathroom and add some much needed wow-factor while being fully functional.Central Heating Radiators
There are three main bathroom radiator installation methods and choosing the right one for you can make all the difference. The most common one is a central heating radiator. As most households in the UK have a central heating system, it’s fairly simple to plumb your new radiator into it. It also means that your bathroom radiator will work in the same way and at the same time as the rest of the radiators in your home so you don’t have to think about it.Electric Bathroom Radiators
Electric bathroom radiators are perfect for those either living in flats where the pressure needed for central heating may be difficult to achieve or in properties where there isn’t any gas or central heating at all. Of course, there are plenty of benefits of choosing an electric radiator over a central heating one too. For starters, they’re available in many modern styles and you won’t need to extend your plumbing system which can sometimes require planning permission.Dual Fuel Radiators
Dual fuel radiators offer the best of both worlds - electric and central heating - as it is plumbed into your central heating system but can be used and controlled at any time, even when the central heating is switched off. Meaning that even during the height of summer, your bathroom and your towels can still be warm and toasty whenever you want.
Where to Install a Bathroom Radiator?
Where you install your bathroom radiator or heated towel rail will depend on several different factors including the shape of your bathroom, your existing pipework, doors, window and bathroom fittings such as the toilet, sink and shower and the size of the radiator itself. It’s important to take your time and plan where you want it to go. You don’t want to make a mistake and end up hating the placement. Ideally, you want to avoid placing your radiator behind big pieces of furniture as it will stop the heat from travelling around the room. If your bathroom has a large window, then placing the radiator underneath it, if possible, could be a great option as that’ll likely be the coldest area. It also depends on the type of walls you have. If the walls are constructed from solid masonry or brickwork, you have a better choice of radiator placement as they can be hung easily from strong, solid walls. If the walls are made from plasterboard with a hollow space behind, then it’s a little more difficult as you’ll need to identify where the studs run as these are the strongest part of the wall to hang radiators on.Check out our guide on how to choose the right heated towel rail for your home, featuring even more essential information on bathroom radiator sizing and heat outputs. Looking for an electric alternative to heated towel rails? Read our guide all about electric towel rails for extra information about the benefits of using them in your home and whether they are the right solution for you.
