Make your home warm and inviting with quality radiators
Radiators
Invented in the late nineteenth century, radiators are now the main form of heating homes. Sources disagree who built the first with some crediting the American William Baldwin while others state the first was built by Italian born German Franz San Galli who built the first cast iron radiators in Russia in 1855 and patented the design in Germany. Whichever was first by the end of the nineteenth century radiators were in many American homes. Today the style of these classic radiators is still reproduced by many manufacturers but styles and fashions have changed and the radiator has moved with the times and the advances in both materials technology and manufacturing techniques. Modern units such as the Zephyr radiators use lightweight stainless steel are light enough to be mounted on the wall away from the floor whereas cast iron radiators were so heavy they need to be seated on floor on feet. The Ancona series of radiator is a good example of this traditional style. The radiator today also comes I many finishes and colours. For example the Zephyr radiators are available in a polished finish, making them almost mirror like, or in a brushed stainless steel finish. Today’s radiator can also be multifunctional acting as dryers for towels, as storage space or even as mirrors. Classic radiators such as towel rails can also be machined to bow or curve and are a modern essential for any new bath room. The radiator can now be found in any room.
Contemporary Style radiator
Zephyr Radiators
Today’s radiators come in many shapes and sizes. Classic radiators such as the Victorian cast iron models are still produced but designs have changed to meet changing tastes and home designs. The need to heat smaller rooms such as second bathrooms or toilets, which are common in modern homes, has led to the design of radiators that do not take up much space. The Zephyr radiators are a good example of this as their modern lightweight construction enables them to be mounted off the floor on the wall and at any height. Their slim build means that they do not stand out like the older classic radiators. For the main bathroom the favourite modern addition is the heated towel rail that both warms the bathroom and also dries towels after use. These come in many forms but the popular choice seems to be the curved model which bows out from the wall. They are also available in a range of finishes from traditional enamel white to chrome. While radiators are still the most popular form of home heating the newest form looks to the oldest technology for inspiration. Under floor heating is becoming increasingly popular and whilst the Romans used heated air the modern equivalent uses an electrically heated chord which is positioned under tiles or wooden floor surfaces. Electricity is also used to heat a range of radiator designs now available. These range from electric towel rails to an electric only thermostatic Victorian reproduction.
Crea-Therm with double vertical tubes radiator
Cast Iron Radiators
First designed in the nineteenth century these classic radiators were the first mass produced radiators widely available. By the end of the century they were common in American homes and popular with the more affluent Victorians and Germans. Today’s reproductions of these original cast iron radiators still keep the stylish, traditional and often ornate look but use modern materials to increase their heating efficiency and reduce their weight, although original heavy cast iron models are available. So you will often see the same old style but these radiators may mounted off the floor without feet and may be finished with white enamel or polished to a shine. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the modern Zephyr radiators. Unlike the traditional classic radiators, these are designed for the modern style home. As fashion has moved towards sterile looking chrome finished furniture and electrical appliances with a large amount of glass, the design of the radiator has also kept pace. Zephyr radiators are sleek and very slim with a much understated look. They can be mounted vertically on any wall and are the availability of different sizes means they can be used to heat any room n the modern home without taking up much space unlike the traditional Victorian column designs. Whether you choose traditional designs or much more modern looking radiators you should also consider adding thermostatic controls to them. These devices are available in finishes that match you radiator, will add to their efficiency and help cut waste.
Cast Iron Radiator
Classic Radiators
The range of designs now available with radiators is huge. With finishes ranging from patterned ornate designs to bright red you need put some thought into what will work in your home before making a choice. You also need to make a decision on whether to heat you home with traditional radiators and a boiler or use modern electrically powered units. Bear in mind that the range of choice with electric units is much more restricted. Traditional cast iron radiators are still seen by many as the classic design probably as they were the first mass produced models available. However, there are many more designs that are classed as classic radiators today. The biggest advances in design have been towards making radiators smaller, more efficient and lighter. This has led to the design of such models as the Zephyr radiators. These units are light enough to be mounted on any wall several feet above the floor and their thin design makes them a lot less obvious in the room than their traditional counterparts. However, cast iron radiators are still popular with some as a design choice but are now made of many different materials allowing them to be mounted off the floor like the Zephyr radiators. Whichever design you choose the main deciding factor will be the size of the room in which you wish to place the radiator. For larger room such as long living rooms the traditional Victorian column design may still work very well.
Classic ladder style towel radiator
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