When plans are afoot to re-decorate any room at home, there’s a good chance that your radiators aren’t going to be something you immediately think of changing. Yet, when we want to update items like chairs and tables, we often overlook that the radiator can be the biggest presence in a room. And unlike most furniture, when it is on the wall, there’s no chance of it going anywhere else.
In recent years, people have copped onto the idea of having a designer radiator in rooms where a certain design or finish from a radiator can really make a difference. Sadly though, not much attention is paid to some of the radiator brands out there making designer products; in fact, I would wager that you might not be able to name even one right now.
Is that a bad thing that will hinder finding a luxury radiator? Well, not immediately if you know what to go looking for. I want to highlight some of the opportunities available to get a luxury designer radiator without price or the brand even being an issue. It all starts with knowing shapes. For more information, see the range at radiatoroutlet.co.uk
Getting luxury shapes at better rates
Your radiator shape is going to be what defines the result you’re looking for. The most common radiator shapes to look at include:
- Panel radiators
- Column radiators
- Flat-panel radiators
- Horizontal radiators
- Vertical radiators
- Towel Rails
- Offset radiators
In most homes, a double panel radiator would be the most common to have on the wall. It’s the radiator with two panels and connecting fins. Why is this important? Most designer brands have to stick within the terminology rather than invent their own terms for items. That means you can usually get a designer radiator at a lower price if you know where to look.
For example, take a look at this range of double panel radiators from Trade Radiators. The range not only shows budget options but has designer radiators front and center at similar prices. Most radiator stores care more about function than form. With knowledge of luxury radiator brands being so weak within the general public, it works to your advantage to shop around in trade stores and get a high-end radiator there instead of going directly to a luxury store.
Avoiding the biggest luxury mistake
Here’s a scenario I’m sure everyone has been in; you go to buy a pair of shoes you think looks fantastic. You buy them, and they’re a little too small for your feet. You buy them anyway, hoping that they’ll loosen up the more you wear them. But they never do, and you end up with something ill-fitting in your wardrobe.
Radiators work in just the same way. If you really like the look of a luxury radiator, but it doesn’t fit a room adequately, it isn’t worth the investment. When I say “adequately,” I’m referring to the heat output of the radiator. With most designer radiators having a smaller profile, especially when looking at designer towel rails, they will have a lower heat output. If you’re planning to have a designer radiator take a featured position in a large room, it won’t heat the room properly at all.
Always stick to your requirements before buying a radiator simply because it looks good. While many designer radiators are made using aluminum, as it helps create unique shapes much easier than steel, your new radiator will essentially be working overtime to heat a room.
Acknowledge valve placements
Buying a luxury radiator is a lot like buying a new TV and forgetting you need a wall bracket and somewhere to plug it in. Many designer radiators will forego traditional angled valve entries to help a design stand out. Double-check that if you’re looking to buy a radiator with a specific shape you can get it to fit in with existing pipe connections.
If it won’t, you’ll have to factor in the cost of lifting part of your floor to move valves or even cut into walls to get pipes ready for corner connections. Always keep an eye on this and make a mental note of how wide your pipe centers are.
Understanding seasons
Much like designer clothes, designer radiators run on their own seasons too. Manufacturers typically bring out a new range of radiators every year in the springtime to go in shops later in the summer before demand picks back up. If you have your eye on a specific designer radiator now and know you won’t be decorating a room until months from now, wait it out and keep track of the price. There’s a high chance the price will drop in the spring/summer time coming up.
These are just some of the easiest ways to help find a luxury radiator on a budget. I hope you can use them to your advantage and get a good deal on a designer radiator in the near future.
