Buyers Guide for Column Radiators

Column Radiators are common in classic-inspired bathrooms or older properties and ooze in a traditional style.

You'll surely find an elegant and sophisticated Column Radiator when upgrading or replacing your old Radiator. The tricky part, however, is finding the most suitable one for your bathroom suite.

The experts at Showers to You have compiled the ultimate buyer's guide to help you narrow down the best column radiator for your traditional bathroom or ensuite. This guide explains the pros and cons of this heating style, what to consider before purchasing one and how to install one.

What is a Column Radiator?

Column Radiators feature hollow Steel tubes and can be known as “Cast-Iron Radiators”. These radiators add warmth to any home in multiple ways. Made up of two or three columns (or sometimes more) secured together through a central pipe, these Traditional Radiators add or retain a timeless style and complement period décor. They operate on various heating systems and provide an excellent heat output, usually down to the sizes being larger than other radiator designs.

Versatile and stylish, this style of Radiator has been a popular design choice for several decades. Due to the exposed section between each column, the surface area provides plentiful heat output rapidly and can quickly warm any bathroom suite.

Why should I choose a Column Radiator?

If your home exudes period-era décor, a Column Radiator seamlessly blends into the bathroom. Ideally paired with Traditional Bathroom Furniture or a Traditional Freestanding Bath, Column Radiators are an exceptional alternative to modern radiator designs.

Available in various sizes and finishes and from leading manufacturers, Column Radiators feature freestanding and wall-mounted fitment options.

Alternatively, this Radiator design can be installed in a modern home, combining past and present eras for a stand-out design. This ultimately comes down to personal preference.

What are the Pros and Cons of owning a Column Radiator?

Let's start with the advantages of choosing a Column radiator for your home:

Pros:

- Column Radiators instantly become a focal point once installed. Their classic appearance stands out in any family home

- A variety of sizes and styles are available from leading suppliers.

- Sleek horizontal and space-saving vertical fitments can be placed in any room

- Efficient heat outputs

Cons:

- The exquisite, vintage-inspired design limits these Radiators to being installed in a traditional home; however, this ultimately comes down to personal design preferences

- Generally, more expensive than other modern radiators.

- They are mainly suitable for more extensive room settings

What material are Column Radiators made from?

In most cases, Stainless Steel is the main material used when constructing a Column Radiator, such as the Kartell Aspen Designer Radiator range. One of the significant benefits of having a Stainless-Steel Column Radiator is that it can be painted at any time by the owner. Usually starting with a specialised radiator or metal primer paint, the surface's main finish can be changed to any personal preference with a high-quality emulsion paint and clean radiator overcoat.

However, some Column Radiators can have Cast Iron material, although this is more expensive than a Stainless-Steel design. Cast Iron Radiators produce exceptional heat outputs and look outstanding once installed.

Flat Panel vs Column Radiators – what's the difference?

Flat Panel Radiators are an ideal choice for modern and minimalistic homes. This contemporary radiator design, such as the Reina Casina Horizontal Aluminium Radiator Collection, brings a clean, crisp aesthetic to any room setting. Most flat panel designs incorporate single, double and triple panel styles. This is the number of panels the hot water passes through. The greater the number of panels, the higher the maximum heat output. These are outstanding choices if you wish to modernise your bathroom suite.

Column Radiators are more suitable for traditional homes and work best in more extensive room settings. Generally speaking, column radiators are installed directly under a window or on a wall.

Convector Radiator vs Column Radiators – which is more efficient?

Column Radiators have hot water flowing through them, which heats the columns and the surrounding air. As the air heats up, the heat rises, creating a convection current that spreads evenly across the room. The heat is let out from every part of the Radiator.

Convector Radiators warm the surrounding air by circulating hot water through a tube surrounded by small fins. These fins conduct the heat and spread it across the room.

So, when compared with each other, Column Radiators are more heat efficient as they spread heat from all parts of the Radiator. However, they may need to be more optimal for specific room designs or circumstances.

What styles are Column Radiators available in?

Aesthetics are vital when designing your dream bathroom or room setting. Column Radiators are available in Horizontal and Vertical styles, each achieving a unique design once installed. The Kartell Klassic Horizontal and Reina Column Colona Radiator Collection are perfect examples of these styles, each having various sizes and accessories available.

Sometimes overlooked, it is always wise when ordering a new radiator to purchase an accompanying Radiator Valve. With column radiators, we suggest searching for a design with Crosshead Handles to match the old-fashioned aesthetic.

What BTU/ Heat Output do I need for my Column Radiator?

As with all radiators, the BTU (British Thermal Units) output is just as crucial as the radiator design. The BTU output determines how much energy is used to heat the room. If the output is greater than required, you will most likely be spending money on unnecessary bills. If the BTU output is too low, the Column Radiator will always be cranked to the maximum temperature

Check out our handy BTU Guide for a full breakdown of why understanding the BTU output is important for your Column Radiator.

How can I install my new Column Radiator?

Whilst installing a radiator can be achieved by anyone with DIY experience, we always advise consulting a qualified professional, especially if you're installing one with a new pipework set.

Before you install the Column Radiator onto existing pipework, you will need the following tools:

- Meter ruler/ tape measure

- Spirit Level

- Electric Drill

- PRFE Tape

- Tray or container

- Adjustable spanner

- Bleed valve

- Pencil/ marker

- Ratchet

1. Turn off the heating system and close off the valves at either end. This isolates the Radiator.

2. Place a large tray or container underneath the valve to catch the water that drains out. Use the adjustable spanner to loosen the swivel nuts connecting the valves to the Radiator.

3. Open the bleed valve and loosen the cap nut with the bleed key. Once the tray is full of water, tip away and carry on and repeat until all of the water is drained out.

4. Wrap the valve spigots with PTFE tape and insert them into the Radiator using a ratchet.

5. Unscrew the existing wall brackets and measure for the new ones with the pencil.

6. Check the wall for any pipes, cables or studs before drilling.

7. Drill the new brackets onto the wall and fix the Radiator to the brackets. Use the spirit level to make sure the Column Radiator is perfectly level.

8. Close the bleed valve and reconnect the pipes and valves before turning on the heating system.

Why should I buy a Column Radiator from Showers to You?

If you're looking for expert advice on choosing the best traditionally-inspired Radiator for your bathroom, the experts at Showers to You are always happy to help.

You can contact us via our online form, email us at info@showerstoyou.co.uk or call us on 01472 242159 to speak to one of our friendly advisors.