How To Choose Your Cast Iron Radiator

By Author: Edward Hall
Total Articles: 93
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There are a myriad of options out there - especially when it comes to choosing the best cast iron radiator. If you're interested in period or more modern pieces, there's a cast iron radiator for everyone, but how do you go about choosing?

Look at the décor

If you're blending into décor, consider what it actually is. As radiators come in various styles, forms and designs, from Victorian to Edwardian and beyond, right up to modern are available but the primary choice should either be whether you're matching the décor or are creating the décor with the signature pieces that are your radiators.

It's sometimes a question of space, or design of the house - Victorian radiators don't *really* work well in small flats or apartments - instead you'd be better with slim line, modern pieces, but the slim line types may not work in rooms with bay windows and other features that lend towards grander style pieces. So once you've considered the layout and design of the room, and what the space lends itself to, you can customise down into one of several dozen styles.

Your radiator can also be a signature ...
... piece - which means as long as it's blended with elegant décor, you can use any style in situ, and make them a signature or discussion point in your room. In these cases, you'll find that matching the radiator with the design of the room is only as important as creating and designing somewhere that allows it to be highlighted in pleasing ways. But also remember to leave these signature pieces visible - there's no point in doing it in a room with no space to allow you to display your design work.

New or antique

Your next choice should probably be whether you want to use new or reclaimed radiators. Even if you can't acquire radiators locally, or source them from further afield, you need to make sure there's nothing wrong with these pieces - if they need any work to repair rust or split seams you may find that they are too expensive to refurbish. In which case, you'll find that your best option is new pieces that are often based on old designs, or are created lovingly in the style of older pieces. These are some of the best options for ‘want old but can't afford antique' problems with refurbishing, such as a limited refurbishment budget. These newer pieces are also manufactured to the highest standards, giving you the ability to trust that they won't randomly leak, shut down or otherwise cause problem with your designed system - and as radiators are designed, first and foremost to heat, you should be able to trust your design to work without leaking. New radiators are less likely to leak when installed correctly.

With many years in the heating and plumbing industry Edward Hall has for sometime now been writing on such subjects as the cast iron radiator , its history and benefits and imparting his vast knowledge on the subject.