Cast Iron Bathroom Radiators: Is This The Right Choice For Your Renovation?

Ready to make a splash with your period home renovation? The master bathroom is one of the most fun and creative projects to tackle – but there's also fun to be had with guest bathrooms and smaller cloakrooms. The limited dimensions and functional requirements often make this a highly creative challenge.

We're seen some incredible period property bathroom transformations over the years, including traditional and modern approaches in all colour palettes. In this guide, we're exploring the benefits of using cast iron column radiators in the bathroom, and how you can avoid some common mistakes that could make your bathroom radiator less effective.

cast iron bathroom radiators

Benefits of cast iron radiators

Cast iron is a natural choice for the bathroom as it delivers reliable ambient heat, long after you've switched off the central heating. The bathroom is one space where you don't want to compromise on heating – otherwise, you could be left feeling the chill.

Traditional bathroom radiators not only deliver excellent heat output, but they also look the part in period homes. Get that iconic Victorian look with subway wall tiles, mosaic floor tiles, pedestal sink and roll top bath. And let's not forget, an old fashioned cast iron column radiator to complete the look.

Paired with a towel rail, these radiators not only look great, but they're also highly efficient. These are just some of the reasons we love Victorian style horizontal radiators for the bathroom.

Durability and longevity

Our radiator design comes from Victornian-era ingenuity, brought up to date with modern-day plumbing innovation. The original design of the cast iron radiator is no doubt innovative, but we’re ironed out the kinks in the design to give it a modern twist. This makes it more durable and long-lasting.

A Victorian column radiator is a hefty piece of furniture that will withstand the knocks and bumps of modern life. Regular maintenance will help to keep your radiators and heating system in peak working order.

cast iron bathroom radiators

Heat retention and efficiency

We all like to get something for nothing. So how about a central heating system that keeps you toasty, even after you’ve switched it off? Cast iron offers excellent heat retention properties, which means that it can heat up evenly and gradually and then retain the heat for much longer than with a modern panel radiator.

Bathrooms tend to require a little more heating power, since the surfaces are colder and don’t retain heat. Tiles, porcelain, glass and metal aren’t known for their warmth! This is why we love the impressive heating quality of a Victorian column radiator.

Classic elegance and design

Cast iron radiators offer a little visual treat that elevates a boring panel radiator into a focal point and a part of the design. You don’t have to hide or conceal these radiators; they’re part of the overall look. We offer a wide range of styles to suit all interiors, from traditional designs, including school radiators and Victorian radiators.

To complete your selection, choose from our traditional radiator colours. Traditional black looks stunning in a high contrast black and white bathroom, while cream white brings feminine elegance to a pastel-hued space.

cast iron bathroom radiators

Considerations before installation

Thinking about adding cast iron bathroom radiators to your interior design project? First things first, speak to a plumber to make sure that your radiator choice is compatible with your heating system design. (Our radiators offer modern connections that are fully compatible with most modern central heating systems).

You should also consider the following:

  • Cast iron radiators are free-standing and supported with a wall stay, rather than wall-mounted. This means you’ll need to factor this into your floor plan and ensure your pipe centres are positioned correctly before starting any tiling work. We recommend waiting until your radiators are on-site before installing flooring so you can be confident on the position of your pipe inlets.
  • When choosing your cast iron radiator valves, always opt for a manual radiator valve over a thermostatic valve. While TRVs might be great around the rest of your home, the humidity from the bathroom can make them less effective and could lead your radiator to switch off prematurely. A manual valve will help you to maintain a comfortable temperature.
  • Calculate the heat requirements for your space so you know exactly how big your radiator needs to be. You can then select the style, height and then the number of sections required to meet your heat output requirements. Use our BTU heating calculator to get started. BTU is a measure of heat output. It's also possible to measure in Watts.

Frequently asked questions about cast iron bathroom radiators

Will a cast iron radiator rust in a bathroom?

This high humidity environment might make you nervous about installing cast iron radiators. Our radiators will not rust when cared for correctly. The radiators are first primed and then finished with a top coat to help protect against moisture damage.

If you choose a radiator with only the primer, you will need to arrange for professional top coating to prevent rust damage. Avoid drying towels directly on the radiator to help prevent moisture damage and to ensure your heating is as efficient as possible.

Do you offer a cast iron towel radiator?

No, we don't offer a traditional towel radiator as part of our core collection, but it is possible to install a towel rail above your cast iron radiator to help keep your towels toasty warm for when you get out of the bath or shower. Leaving space above the radiator will ensure maximum heating efficiency and allow air to continue circulating evenly.

Can I mix cast iron with modern radiators?

If you only want to install cast iron radiators in a few statement spaces, you might be wondering if you can use them alongside modern panel radiators in your home. This shouldn’t be a problem, as our radiators use standard pipe connections. Professional installation will ensure your heating system is correctly balanced when you mix and match radiators.

Do you sell electric radiators?

No, we don't offer electric radiators, and we don't recommend using our radiators with an electric heating element. Heating cast iron with an electric heating element is not as efficient, therefore we don’t recommend this.

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Cast Iron Radiator Centre
(a Division of Mossmead Ltd)
241 Torrington Avenue
(Corner of Padstow Road)
Coventry, West Midlands
CV4 9AP, UK
0800 294 8603
024 7630 3999
sales@castironradiatorcentre.co.uk
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