The Beginners Guide to Buy A Heated Towel Rail
You can find a wide variety of towel warmers, heated towel rails, and bathroom radiators to choose from. We have created a quick buyers guide to help you choose the right heater for your bathroom.
Do I need a heated towel rail?
You don't. Towel rails are considered a standard fitting and not a luxury, so potential buyers will expect them to be included in any house they view. They are also more practical than a radiator in the bathroom for heating the room or drying towels.
What Styles and Types of Products Are Available?
There are many styles of towel rails, but there are three main types. Traditional, designer, and ladder. The most popular ladder design is the simple one. They are easy to install and practical. Although designer bathroom radiators can be more costly by design, they can add a unique touch to any bathroom. We started the company over 14 years ago and sold many traditional towel rails that date back to the Victorian era. Older styles often have ball joined unions between pipes. They can be simple or complex designs, or they can include a column or cast iron radiator for more style and heat output. We have the towel rail to match your style.
Type of fuel
There are three main methods of heating your towel rail: a central heating system or an electric-only unit. Here's a breakdown of each, along with their pros and cons.
Central Heating - This is still the most common way to heat homes in the UK. Connecting a towel radiator to your bathroom's central heating system should be simple and cost-effective. A towel rail connected to your central heating circuit has one drawback. You won't be able to enjoy warm towels during the summer months if your central heating isn't running.
Dual Fuel - You can add a dual-fuel kit to many towel-rail installations. This allows you to heat the rail with your central heating in winter and turn off the electric element in summer. You can use a variety of elements, including simple on/off and thermostatically controlled ones. An element will require an isolating spot, usually a fused spur. A timer can be added for complete control and energy efficiency. Dual fuel tip: Make sure the radiator is drained of any fluid before shutting off the central heating valves. This will prevent the radiator from burning the element if it is half full. Once you have closed your radiator valves, loosen the lock-shield 1/4 - 1/2 turn. This allows water to expand and contract as it heats or cools. Dual fuel towel warmers are very practical and provide year-round comfort. However, they have one real drawback: the installation is likely less attractive than an electric or central heating unit.
Electric Only - We have found that electric towel warmers work best when used only for electric purposes. They are easy to install, provide year-round warmth, and dry towels. The majority of our team has installed them in their bathrooms and ensuites. We also have electric underfloor heating to keep us warm. Although it is not as efficient as central heating, you can still use a timer and adjust the heat output to a standard fixed element for a lower temperature during the summer months. We also have control units that can adjust the temperature of high-tech thermostatic elements with additional features and functionality. We also plan to launch an element that can be controlled via Bluetooth from a mobile phone using an app in 2017.
Material
Towel rails can be made of one or more the following metals: steel, stainless steel or brass, or aluminum. This is a quick overview of each.
Steel is probably the most popular material because it is the most affordable. Steel can rust but should be treated with additives in your central heating system. As long as the chrome finish on the radiator is good, steel should also be protected from moisture in your bathroom.
Stainless Steel - This material doesn't contain iron, so it won't rust. Another advantage to stainless steel is its ability to radiate heat into rooms more effectively than a radiator made of chrome-plated steel. If you compare two towel rails made of identical stainless steel, one with chrome plating and one with polished stainless steel, the stainless steel towel rail would radiate 30% more heat into a room. This material can be used in open circuits, which is not something you should consider if your central heating system has conventional central heating. Stainless steel will not corrode from the minerals found in open circuit heating systems.
Brass - The very first towel rails in traditional style were made of copper. However, this was too easy to dent so brass was used instead. Because brass is softer than steel, it polishes well so you can often get the best finish on chrome-plated brass towel rails. This same reason is also why they are popular for gold-plated towel rails. It is ideal for central heating, but also works well in open circuit systems. However, stainless steel is the most preferred option for open circuits. Brass is a high-quality material that is used most often in the manufacture of heated towel rails, both traditional and bespoke.
Aluminium - A modern material for radiator production, it has many design advantages. It allows the production of low water volumes (cheaper) and large heat outputs. This is the best material for eco-friendly towel rails.
Finish
The most popular finishes are chrome plated and polished stainless. Previously, powder-coated or painted finishes were limited to white and cream. However, in recent years, black and anthracite have been very popular. Through certain suppliers, we can now offer heated towel bars in almost any colour. We can help you find the right finish for you if you are having trouble finding it.
Accessory
You will need accessories to go with your towel rail. These could include a pair or two radiator valves that connect to the central heating system. A dual fuel kit, an electrical only element, or a control system to operate these items. All of these are available to you and we can provide lots of advice. Just pick up the phone to ask. We have more than 14 years of experience and many friendly, knowledgeable staff who are always available to assist you
