Everything You Need to Know About Aluminium Radiators

If you don’t know about the advantages of aluminium radiators or you’ve written them off as too expensive, this guide is for you. We’ve put together everything you need to know about these radiators, and who knows? By the end, you’ll probably want to get one of your own! 

What to expect from aluminium radiators

Let’s start with an introduction to aluminium radiators. These are a relatively new type of radiator, as radiators have historically been manufactured from steel and cast iron. But the radiator industry has come a long way since then, and innovation has pushed forwards to find a versatile and efficient third radiator material option in aluminium.  This is a highly versatile material and has a wide range of uses, from cans and tin foil to aeroplane parts and window frames. But what makes this metal suitable for use in radiators? The answer to this question lies in the properties of aluminium that make fantastic radiators.

Features of aluminium

As a metal, aluminium is:

• Highly malleable
• A good thermal conductor
• A low-density metal
• A good electrical conductor
• Recyclable 
• Non-corrosive 
• Long-lasting 

All of these things, and particularly the thermal conductivity, durable and ability to withstand corrosion mean that aluminium is the perfect material for radiators. You can expect a lot from aluminium radiators, which we’ll get into in the next section, but particularly:

• Long-lasting quality
• Highly efficient and powerful heating 
• A variety of sizes and styles

How aluminium radiators work

Aluminium radiators function the same way as other rads do, however, there is one thing that makes them stand out from the rest, and that is in the amount of water in the radiator. Radiators get hot by heating up the water inside the radiator itself, and the more water that there is in the radiator, the more energy it takes to heat it.  Aluminium radiators are able to generate the same amount of heat as a steel or cast iron number, but with less water. And that’s where the genius lies. Not only are they more efficient, but using up less energy to heat up the radiator is also where the long term money-saving benefit comes from too. 

Why buy aluminium radiators?

There are many advantages of aluminium radiators, including: 

• Exceptional performance due to their thermal conductivity and energy efficiency
• Money-saving benefits in the long run
• They are long-lasting thanks to being made from a durable, corrosion-resistant metal
• Aluminium is recyclable, so if you want to minimise your carbon footprint, then this material is good for you
• You can find lots of designs and styles

If you want to know a little more about each of these benefits head to our Are Aluminium Radiators Worth It post that goes through them all in more detail.

The drawback of aluminium radiators

We’ll be honest - the only real drawback of aluminium radiators is the cost of them. These radiators are more pricey than steel alternatives, meaning if you don’t have the means to cover the initial cost of aluminium radiators, then you’ll probably look at alternatives. But before you do, there’s a case for aluminium radiators because of what they provide in the long term.

They’re only costly at first

What’s important to remember is that aluminium radiators are only expensive in the short term. Whilst you have to pay a higher upfront cost for these radiators, over time you’ll save thanks to the lower running costs and energy-saving benefits of aluminium radiators. And that’s the most accurate way to look at the realistic costs of radiators.  Our home heating systems are robust and durable, and each element of it will last us around 20 years before needing to be replaced or updated. So it’s useful to think about aspects of them, like radiators, with a long term focus too. So when we think about how much our radiator costs us, we aren’t only considering the initial purchasing cost.  The lifetime cost of a radiator includes:

• The initial purchasing price
• The running costs
• The potential to save energy and therefore money

Only once you consider all of these factors do you get a realistic view of how much your radiator is going to cost you over the course of its lifetime.  If this is all too confusing and you need some more information on the running costs of aluminium radiators, then our ultimate guide to radiator materials has a detailed breakdown of the running costs of not only aluminium radiators, but also steel and cast iron.

The different types of aluminium radiators 

Now we’ve covered what you need to know about the way aluminium radiators work and the benefits they offer, it’s time to look at the design options available when it comes to choosing aluminium radiators.  These radiators come in a range of styles and formats that should be able to match your home decor. However, it must be noted that the variety doesn’t quite cover every type of radiator the way that steel radiators do, but aluminium radiators do cover most. 

Aluminium designer radiators

Firstly, we have aluminium designer radiators. These don’t just work great, but they look the part too. In classic white, chic anthracite or stunning black, these sleek rads will slot into any home decor style, and in any space. We offer a wide range of sizes in both orientations, so if you’re short for space, vertical aluminium radiators are just what you need. You don’t need to compromise style for functionality when it comes to aluminium designer radiators - just take a look at our Thetford range to see the proof. 

Aluminium towel radiators

For the bathroom or kitchen, aluminium towel radiators are excellent choices for your heating solution. Thanks to their high resistance to corrosion, aluminium towel radiators are well suited to the changing humidity that comes with a bathroom, providing you with reliable  and durable heating throughout the year. Check out our Thetford aluminium towel radiators for towel rails that will stand the test of time.

Aluminium column radiators

Although aluminium radiators are a relatively new development, you can still find a classic style radiator in aluminium column radiators. Modern meets classic with our range of column radiators featuring a sleek square-shaped column. To suit any colour scheme, these are available in black, anthracite and white finishes too!

Aluminium radiators: the full package

So there you have it: everything you need to know about aluminium radiators, from how they work to their different formats and reasons to buy them. Our collection of stylish radiators is just waiting to be discovered, and we’ve got something for everyone. Head over to the store now to find your next rad.