The Anatomy of a Great radiadores

There are a myriad of options out there – especially when it comes to choosing the best cast iron radiator. If you're interested in period or more modern pieces, there's a cast iron radiator for everyone, but how do you go about choosing?

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Look at the décor

If you're blending into décor, consider what it actually is. As radiators come in various styles, forms and designs, from Victorian to Edwardian and beyond, right up to modern are available but the primary choice should either be whether you're matching the décor or are creating the décor with the signature pieces that are your radiators.

It's sometimes a question of space, or design of the house – Victorian radiators don't *really* work well in small flats or apartments – instead you'd be better with slim line, modern pieces, but the slim line types may not work in rooms with bay windows and other features that lend towards grander style pieces. So once you've considered the layout and design of the room, and what the space lends itself to, you can customise down into one of several dozen styles.

Your radiator can also be a signature piece – which means as long as it's blended with elegant décor, you can use any style in situ, and make them a signature or discussion point in your room. In these cases, you'll find that matching the radiator with the design of the room is only as important as creating and designing somewhere that allows it to be highlighted in pleasing ways. But also remember to leave these signature pieces visible – there's no point in doing it in a room with no space to allow you to display your design work.

New or antique

Your next choice should probably be whether you want to use new or reclaimed radiators. Even if you can't acquire radiators locally, or source them from further afield, you need to make sure there's nothing wrong with these pieces – if they need any work to repair rust or split seams you may find that they are too expensive to refurbish. In which case, you'll find that your best option is new pieces that are often based on old designs, or are created lovingly in the style of older pieces. These are some of the best options for 'want old but can't afford antique' problems with refurbishing, such as a limited refurbishment budget. These newer pieces are also manufactured to the highest standards, giving you the ability to trust that they won't randomly leak, shut down or otherwise cause problem with your designed system – and as radiators are designed, first and foremost to heat, you should be able to trust your design to work without leaking. New radiators are less likely to leak when installed correctly.

Underfloor heating is a great way to keep your home warm without spending so much on traditional gas or electricity to power your radiators. Or this is what most people say on the topic of underfloor heating. But is this true? And are there any draw backs?

Quick glimpse at the benefits

Walking on a floor that is heated from beneath is....lovely. As the heat is distributed evenly around the entire surface, you can walk bare foot from wall to wall without feeling the slightest hint of cold, even in the heart of winter.

It also frees up space on your walls from radiators which are no longer necessary, which could be a big bonus for interior design features, such as large decorations and ornaments, or simply to achieve a more minimalist effect.

Quick glimpse and the negatives

The biggest negative is that underfloor heating systems are usually costly and time consuming to install. As well as the cost of materials, you will also need to dig up your current flooring and potentially make adjustments to your whole flooring situation. This can be a long and complicated process if you have concrete or other fixed materials already in place.

Generally, it is used more in new builds and large renovations, rather than with older houses where the price can skyrocket if you're not careful. This is because it's easier to install the equipment and materials you need if you are already starting from the ground up, rather than retrofitting a unit which is not originally designed to handle underfloor heating systems.

What are the good things about underfloor heating systems?

When it comes to underfloor heating, saving money on your bills is one of the biggest bonuses. Because heat can be more economically distributed throughout your home, you are able to cut down on energy costs.

Also, due to the lower energy wastage that comes with this type of heating system, you are having a lesser impact on the environment thanks to the superior thermodynamics of underfloor heating technology today.

Many owners with underfloor heating also say that the comfort that comes with this system is fantastic. Especially in places like bathrooms and kitchens where the flooring is typically tile or cold surfaces, underfloor heating can provide you with warm toes all year round.

So why doesn't everybody have underfloor heating in their home?

The main problem is the cost of underfloor heating. It can be expensive and difficult to install so even if your bills are lower, this might not cover you for the costs you end up paying to fit the system in the first place.

In older buildings, creating the right conditions under the floor can take time and cause major upheaval. Often, space will need to be made for heating mechanisms as well as screed flooring to provide a flat even surface that conducts the heat more efficiently than other materials.

Installation costs can vary hugely, depending on whether you choose an electric or water-based system, the size of your house and whether you are working with a new or older building.

Types of underfloor heating

Electric systems - you'll need to add in the costs of insulation board, screed and heating controls as well as the cost of a qualified electrician.

Water-based systems - the price of installing a 'wet' system can vary according to factors like which floor of the house you are trying to heat and the distance of rooms form the boiler.

Can I install it myself?

Before you invest in any underfloor heating read more equipment, make sure you are always informed about the whole process. You'll need to consult specialists in this field and inquire about things like materials costs, installation times and long-term maintenance.

It is unlikely that you will be able to install this kind of system yourself if you don't have any prior building or contracting experience, however, if you are deciding to do it anyway, make sure you know everything that the process entails before starting.