Guide to your bathroom heating options
Introduction
The bathroom is a unique environment, in which it is vital to install the correct heating option. Stepping into a cold room first thing in the morning is less likely to encourage a person into the shower than it is to entice them back to bed, so making the right choice is imperative to make dreading those cold mornings a thing of the past.
The key factor when considering bathroom heating options is to consider the room itself.
- How big is the room, and therefore how much heat output is required?
- How much wall space is there?
- Have you taken full consideration of ventilation requirements in order to install your preferred heater?
Each of these points will affect your choice of radiator, as detailed below.
Radiators
Radiators come in all shapes and sizes, but conventional radiators are often more bulky than modern or designer units. They also generally take longer to heat up, but they also release the heat over a longer period, often resulting in a more constant, gentle heat.
Modern radiators are most often made out of aluminium or stainless steel, which heat up and cool down quicker than their forbearers. Available in a variety of sizes and easy to install, this is the most common choice for modern homes.
Designer Radiators
Today’s marketplace sees a plethora of designer radiators readily handy. Available in a host of materials from steel to glass and in scores of different designs from children’s patterns to mirrors, the sheer variety of radiators on the market is staggering. While designer radiators will provide an excellent aesthetic to any bathroom, it is important to remember the practical importance of the unit and the job for which it is intended.
Column Radiators
Modern column radiators retain the traditional style of cast iron radiators while benefiting from the advantages of utilising more practical materials. Like designer radiators, steel column radiators make the radiator unit as much a feature of the décor as the wallpaper or blinds and allow a flexibility of size, shape and heat output. Steel radiators are lighter than those made from cast iron and therefore can also be wall mounted.
Cast Iron Radiators
While the technology and production is more antiquated than that of modern radiators, cast iron radiators have an aesthetic that oozes charm and grandeur. There is no doubt that cast iron radiators suit the design modes of older properties, but they also take the longest time to heat up. While this means that careful planning of heating schedules is essential in order to maximise the benefits of these older radiators, they also retain their heat for the longest time.
Heated Towel Rails
Heated towel rails are designed particularly for that purpose, as towels hang on them to dry and warm and ensure maximum comfort after showering. They also heat the room and, being most often made from stainless steel, heat up and cool down rapidly ensuring that they are cost efficient and more ecological than a traditional heating solution.
Lying within each of these groups is a myriad of heating options that are determined by the size, shape and heating requirements of any given bathroom. Having evaluated that particular need, the choice of heating solution is made far easier.
Further information and useful links
- More plumbing & heating topics
- Hot water systems
- How to correctly hang a radiator
- Radiator power tables
- Find a Radiator Supplier near you
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