Radiators View or

Bisque Chime Radiator
A buyer’s guide to:
Tel: 01765 694 720
Email: sales@ukbathrooms.com
Welcome to our buyer’s guide to Radiators.
Choosing your new radiator.
Chances are you will already have a good sense of your
own style and the kind of look you want, but when you
start planning which radiator options you would like there
seems to be a never-ending list of things to consider and
technical options.
Bisque Blok Radiator with Towel Rail
Let us help direct you through the planning stage so
you can make the right choice for you and your home.
We say home because as well as specialist bathroom
towel-warmers, we also sell radiators for the rest of your
house: kitchen, bedroom living room, and beautiful
bespoke options for that ‘wow factor’ interior feature.
Bisque Arteplano Towel Radiator
Bisque Finn Radiator
Planning - Top Tips
Start off by asking yourself the questions below making a checklist.
This can act as a really handy starting point if you’re unsure, or a final
checklist to make sure you’ve covered all radiator considerations;
Please feel free to print off this page to start your plan!
Q1. Function: Do you needTo heat the room only -
Radiator
To warm towels only -
Towel Warmer
To warm towels & heat the room -
Towel Drying Radiator
Is there no plumbing to the room?
Electrical spur connection only
e.g. such as in a converted loft,
or an extension.
Electric Only
Would you like to use your towel warmer
or towel radiator in the Summer when the
rest of the heating is off?
Dual Fuel (Summer Element)
Only for use on your central heating
Central Heating Radiator
Do you need to control the temperature?
Thermostatic
Do you only need on & off control?
Manual
Q2. Technicalities: Connection types-
Q3. Practical: Valve requirements-
Please see ‘Radiator Valves’
For more information on valve considerations
The main difference to be aware of when choosing a towel warmer is: Towel warmers vs. Radiators.
Towel Warmers
- only warm towels, lower output, cannot heat the whole room
Towel Drying Radiators
- dry your towels but also heat the bathroom (do check the output)
General principle of a central heating radiator
•
Central heating sends warm water to the radiator
•
Hot water flows through the channels in the radiator; the heat is released into the air through the
large surface area of the radiator, warming the room.
•
Cooled water leaves the radiator as fresh hot water enters (roughly at a loss of 10ºC)
On each radiator you will have a pair of valves
L.S.V = Lock Shield Valve
These are fixed by your plumber on installation; they should not be adjusted by anyone other
than a professional once installed
W.V = Wheel Valve
These can be adjusted by the end user.
Manual Valves switch radiators off and on, Thermostatic allow varying temperature control.
Column Radiators
Column radiator design originates from traditional radiator technology and manufacturing techniques.
The radiator is made up of columns (depth, normally running vertically) in sections (width).
e.g. this Apollo Radiator is 7 sections wide, 4 columns deep:
Zehnder
Zehnder
Apollo Roma Horizontal 4 Column Radiator
Classic steel column radiator 600mm high
For more info on Zehnder bespoke column radiator options click here for a detailed brochure pdf
Flat Panel and Mirror Radiators
Mirror radiators are a fantastic interior design choice as they offer both practicality and beauty.
They allow you to be space savvy, comfortably providing 2 functions from the radiator area and make a
very interesting focal point and clever design-feature in your home.
Zehnder ‘Yucca’ Mirror Radiator
Steel Towel Drying Radiator with Mirror
Mirror radiators are a great option to go for if you’re after a truly
luxurious touch and ‘wow factor’ design feature. Bespoke options also
offered (colour finish, sizing). There are different styles available: both
traditional and contemporary, making it a choice easily suitable for any
room in the house.
As well as handy use of space, the mirrored section will make your
room feel larger and lighter. Flat panels are also good for spaces where
depth is in short supply and you need a low profile from the wall.
Apollo Capri Vertical Flat Panel Radiator
With Integral Mirror 1800mm
Tube Radiators & Towel Warmers
Apollo Pavia Tube on Tube Towel Warmer (Chrome)
Most bathrooms radiators and towel warmers are of a tubular
construction.
Generally they have a larger surface area than flat traditional style
radiators, so you can achieve a better output (however please
note. choosing a chrome finish reduces the overall output).
The horizontal tube design is ideal for towel warming and drying;
it allows several items to be hung across the rails easily.
A towel warmer has a lower output than a towel radiator and
won’t heat the room; they are often electric or have a summer /
dual fuel element.
Electric only versions are good for converted loft spaces, en-suites
or cloakrooms where it’s impractical or not possible to plumb in a
central heating radiator
Bottom left: The Essentials Pisces Offset Towel Warmer
Aeon Impulse Vertical stainless steel
tubes, brushed finish.
Pictured with an
additional horizontal
towel rail.
Bespoke and Made to Measure
Enjoy the luxury of having a unique one-off product made to your specifications with bespoke and
made to measure radiators.
They are often better value than you might think: made to measure and special solutions radiators
are a great answer if you’ve got a tricky space and can’t find a conventional size.
Size, colour and (for electric and dual fuel) element handing can be specified.
Bespoke sizing
For example, the Zehnder ‘Radiavector’ comes in 5 depths and 4 heights. The lengths available are
run between 500mm up to a maximum of 6000mm, running in 500mm in 100mm increments
-allowing you to specify the perfect fit heating solution.
For instance the Zehnder Charleston amongst many of
the Zehnder ranges can be ordered ‘made to measure’.
You can specify the number of columns and sections,
height, width and finish. For more information click here.
Zehnder Radiavector
Other manufacturers also offer
made to measure services on
both contemporary and more
traditional style radiators.
Manufacturers such as:
Bisque, Apollo, and Aestus.
Contact us for more information.
sales@ukbathrooms.com
Colour finishes
Have some fun! A coloured radiator is a great way to
Bisque Colour Finishes
personalise your space and bring your colour scheme to life.
You can match your favourite swatch of fabric, tiles, an
accessory, or just go for your favourite colour!
Many manufacturers offer special finishes on their radiators,
from colour matching to unique metal surface pattern finishes
that look like your own work of art!
Zehnder
Metropolitan Spa
Zehnder
Fassane Spa
Zehnder
Roda
Some of the best are Zehnder and Bisque who can produce any RAL code colour finish!
Special colours are generally special order and as such on a longer lead time of around 4 weeks.
This is changing as demand increases, for example Zehnder has launched a range of textured
colours which are kept in stock, so can be delivered much sooner: The Zehnder Atoll, Subway and
Fassane Spa are now stocked in Quartz Beige, Quartz Brown and Volcanic for delivery in 3 days!
Simply contact us with the radiator model and a colour code or pre-set colour option.
For more information on colour options you can get in touch with our sales team, visit the
manufacturer’s website, or request the manufacturer’s current catalogue.
Wall Mounted Radiators
Wall mounted radiators are secured on the
wall with brackets.
Valve connections can be horizontal (side
connection) or vertical (underside).
Please check valve compatibility and
pipework with your plumber before ordering.
Zehnder Altai Horizontal Radiator
Floor Standing Radiators
Floor standing radiators are often bracketed onto the wall for additional support; but some such as
‘Clothes horse’ style radiators are freestanding and have strong feet which support the entire weight.
Bench Radiators are more substantial and offer seating –a clever double use of space, good in a hallway or
entrance area. Connections can be vertical (underside), but is often horizontal (side connection).
Please check valve compatibility before ordering.
Aestus Zeb Finned Free Standing Radiator
Solid Radiator feet on
the Aestus Rex 4
Column Radiator Aestus Noa Hot Water Bench Radiator
-with a curved Wenge Seat
Aestus Riva Radiator
Electric and Dual Fuel Kits / summer heating elements
These allow you to heat your centrally heated towel radiator electrically when the heating is turned off.
For example in summer you may turn off the main central heating but still require towel drying and
independent bathroom heating.
Dual fuel kits comprise of an electric element and a chrome plated T piece which allows an element
and central heating valve to be connected to the same side of the towel radiator.
Fully electric radiators have factory fitted elements and are sealed. They are often filled with oil, or
sometimes a part water part ethanol mix to avoid internal corrosion. Factory manufactured electric
only do not require additional valves as they are not plumbed into the central heating system.
The element is installed at the bottom on one side, the handing can often be specified.
Aeon AE Radiator Heating Element
Zehnder Solea Electric Towel Radiator
Zehnder Solea Electric Towel Radiator
Note.
Towel warmers do not heat the bathroom, they only warm and dry towels.
Often electronic, a good feature to look for is a thermostat timer so you
have warm towels waiting for you after your shower!
Radiator Valves
Types of valve:
o Straight
o Angled
o Double angled / corner angled
Straight
Straight valves have no angles and are designed for installations where the pipework comes straight
up from the floor, typically for an under side connection radiator.
Straight for no angles.
Zehnder 15mm Straight Radiator Valves
Chrome Plated Radiator Valves
SBH Modern Straight Radiator Valves
Chrome Plated
Angled
Angled valves have a single right angle in the valve shape. These are designed for installations where
the pipework is coming from either the wall or floor.
Double Angled
Double Angled or ‘Corner angled’ valves.
There are 2 angles in the valve design, for wall mounted radiators with pipework coming out from the wall
‘.
Useful Links:
UK Bathrooms Sales
sales@ukbathrooms.com
UK Bathrooms Radiators:
www.ukbathrooms.com/shop/bathroom_accessories/radiators/index.html
Zehnder Colour range:
www.zehnder.co.uk/retail/Colour-Range,67.html
Bisque Finishes:
http://bisque.co.uk/whats-hot/category/colour-and-special-finishes/
Bisques guide, ‘how to choose a radiator’:
www.bisque.co.uk/how-to-select-a-radiator
Heat loss and BTU calculator:
www.bisque.co.uk/technical-data/heat-loss-calculator/room-heating-imperial
Tel: 01765 694 720
Email: sales@ukbathrooms.com