Top Tips for Choosing the Best Radiator!

If you’re looking for a new radiator or some radiator ideas, the best place to start is to ask “What types of radiators can I buy?” Once you know what’s available, you can delve down into the details. Here’s how we help to keep it simple!

Choosing the best radiator for your room

You may be thinking that summer was just here, and now, you’re having to think about kitting out your home with radiators. How did that happen? Fear not, we’ve tied some handy information together to guide you through the process. You may also be thinking that there isn’t a lot that you need to know to make an informed decision, but at Bathroom Mountain, we want you to be in the know.

After all, we have a wide range for you to choose from! We’ve got everything from traditional radiators, grey radiators, designer radiators to coloured radiators and double panel radiators. You will also have to consider the colour you’re after and the room that you’ll be heating.

Above, @rumsey_renovation_57 has created a beautiful set-up in her bedroom using our Faro Anthracite Single Flat Panel Horizontal Radiator 600x770mm.

How much do radiators cost?

We know that budget can be an important consideration when buying radiators. Depending on what you’re looking to purchase, costs of radiators range but we do have some that have been made to fit every budget. Depending on a radiator’s material and size, the cost can be higher or lower. For example, our towel rails start from as low as £24.99 with a wide range up to £599.99 and radiators from just £49.99 all the way up to £769.99.

Which radiators are most efficient?

As experts in radiators (if we may say so ourselves) one of the questions we are often asked is “How much do radiators cost to run?” This is a tricky question to answer as it’s not a one size fits all response. So, in a nutshell, when you’re trying to gauge a radiator cost, it’s a good idea to make sure you are heating your room correctly and to purpose. To gain a better idea of how much your radiators are going to cost to run, work out how many you’re going to need. This is where our handy BTU calculator comes in.

Radiator BTU Calculator

BTU stands for British Thermal Units and it represents the level of heat a radiator provides. The required BTU level to heat your room will influence the size of your radiators but do not fear, we have numerous options for you to choose from. It definitely helps to consider the space that you have before making a final decision.

It’s important that you get to grips with what BTU you will need in your room as you want to achieve the goldilocks effect – not too hot, not too cold but just right! If you’re overheating your room, you’ll probably see your bills increase too…

Our BTU Calculator will help you work out which radiator will most effectively heat your room. Every radiator is given a BTU rating which we have highlighted on each product page on Bathroom Mountain. This figure is calculated by taking into account the dimensions of your room (width, length, height) and the type of windows (such as single or double glazing). You can either use one radiator to reach the total BTU level required or a number of radiators that reaches the required BTU level when added together – let’s get to it!

Above, @weir_home has created a trendy monochrome room using our Faro Anthracite Single Flat Panel Horizontal Radiator 600x1190mm.

Radiator thermostat

If you’re worried about long term radiator cost, it may be beneficial to invest in some SMART home technology. This is where the Nest Thermostat comes in… The Nest Thermostat learns the temperature you like, then programs itself. It knows how long it takes to heat your home so that you’re comfortable when you get there. When you leave, it turns itself down so that you save energy. And you can check your Energy History with the Nest App to see how much you’ve saved.

If you’d like to find out more about the Nest Thermostat, have a read of our blog. 

Radiators for all types of rooms

We love radiators because they aren’t just for the bathroom! You can choose a radiator that will make a statement in every room of your home. Take the below for example, you can see some of our gorgeous products in real life homes – don’t just take our word for it. So whether you’re looking for bathroom radiators, living room radiators, bedroom radiators or kitchen radiators, you’ve landed in the right spot. While we’re here, heated towel rails aren’t just for your bathroom either – they’re also good for your kitchen! If you want to take a look at how our radiators have been placed across the homes of our favourite design guru and social influencers, we’ve got a pretty cool Revamp Restyle Reveal blog!

Above, our Black Traditional 8 Column Towel Radiator ties in perfectly with this trendy pink bathroom.

Which radiator style is best for your room?

Bathroom Radiators

Our expertly engineered towel radiators take up less space in your bathroom whilst ensuring a high heat output thanks to the exquisite bar style design. The more bars the warmer the room. That means energy-efficient heating for you whilst being less intrusive than a full-sized radiator.

Living Room Radiators

For optimum heat output our three and four bar radiators are the premium choice to heat your room. Whilst ensuring the heat is conducted quickly, this double panel radiator is a perfect option for heating a sizable room without taking up any additional space – some would say just like a living room!

Kitchen Radiators

Ultra-modern in design, we recommend our flat panel radiators as their sleek profile perfectly matches with your minimalist interior. The high grade, low carbon steel material not only offers supreme strength but it also provides an impressively scratch-resistant and long-lasting finish that provides a strong resistance to rust. Perfect for a busy kitchen!

Above, @terris_home_reno uses our Athens Anthracite Triple Column Vertical Traditional Radiator 1800x380mm to create a statement in their living room.

Radiator valves – what type would I need?

It’s something people often forget, but all plumbed radiators require valves. These are purchased separately from the radiator – and it’s important that you choose the right valves for the job. First things first, do you need a straight or an angled valve? Generally speaking, if your heating pipes come out of the floor or the wall, you will need angled valves. The other key decision when it comes to radiator valves is manual or thermostatic.

Manual Radiator Valves

A manual valve is a very simple mechanism – it is essentially a tap. To operate, simply turn the tap to allow the central heating to pass through the radiator and, when the room is warm enough, turn it off again.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Thermostatic valves usually have numbers on them to show the various settings. Just select one of these numbers and the temperature remains constant in that room. A good tip to remember is the higher the number, the warmer it gets. A thermostatic valve is more energy efficient as the heating cuts off when the desired temperature is achieved – which is sure to keep everyone happy!

Now that you know the different types of radiator valves and how they work, check out our entire range of manual and thermostatic radiator valves online.

What finishes can I get on a radiator?

White Radiators

The absolute classic – and classic for a reason! White radiators definitely do not have to be boring and at Bathroom Mountain, we have some gorgeous options for you to choose from. We love the versatility of a white radiator as it matches with every colour and design you could possibly think of. Trust us!

Anthracite Radiators

An Anthracite colour works beautifully on both modern or traditional styles. In addition, the matte finish provides a high quality finishing touch that will impress you every time you see it. Mixing the dark tone in the Anthracite with a matte finish is at the height of interior trends for the upcoming year… so get ahead of the game!

Chrome Radiators

A Chrome radiator is definitely a finish for those who are looking to make a design statement within any room in their home. This Pinterest worthy finish is unlike what you would find in your standard home – it’s modern and striking at the same time! Hot stuff…

Above, our Faro Chrome Single Flat Panel Vertical Radiator 1600x420mm makes this room the perfect place to reflect.

We hope that’s helped you a little bit if you were looking to update your radiators. If not, we hope you enjoyed hanging out with us for a little bit.

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Radiator!