DESIGNER RADIATOR

Radiators for the living room

Over recent years the conventional living room radiator, acting as part of a central heating system, has been the somewhat dull and uninteresting convector radiator. The main reason for this is that the convector radiator is comparatively compact and has good levels of efficiency when it comes to distributing heat. These radiators are also economic to buy and they can even be fitted with a thermostat, however they lack any kind of style or aesthetic design.

Covering a convector radiator with a radiator cover will improve its appearance, but the downside is that the circulation of cold air to warm air (on which this type of radiator depends) is inhibited by the obstruction of the cover. In simple terms aesthetics are improved, but at the expense of heating efficiency.

So what are the alternatives?

Designer radiators for living spaces and reception rooms

As little as five years ago the only genuinely affordable reception room radiators were convection radiators and tubular radiators (like towel rails). The good news is that things have changed and there are now many different designer radiators and at affordable prices,

At the top of the list, at least in terms of affordability, is the flat panel radiator of which there are many variants.

A flat panel radiator is, as its name suggests, composed of a flat front face. However this panel can be a single panel, or a surface made up of several interconnected narrow panels with a horizontal or vertical accentuations.

A variation on the flat panel radiator is the curved panel radiator. In this case a single panel, or series of panels, have either a concave or a convex curve to them (i.e. a curve from left to right and not from top to bottom). This look takes the smooth minimalist look of the standard flat panel designer radiator and gives it a bit more interest.

With a flat panel design further interest can be added through colour selection. These radiators tend to come in white, but metal finishes and different colours are usually options. Some even incorporate mirror finishes.

Ultra modern designs

For anyone wanting to make a serious feature out of a radiator there are some unusual and eye catching designs around. These more distinctive designs have higher price tags, but if they are considered as a decorative feature or wall art their prices appear more reasonable.

Designs vary considerably, as do the names given to some of the more unusual radiators. One such design called the “Bamboo” has a series of tubular pipes, all of which bend slightly as they get higher, thereby simulating the look of chrome finished bamboo shoots.

Variations on the wave design are another popular and very attractive shape and they remove the straight edges and flat appearance of the more conventional radiators. These radiators make a feature and they are attractive in their own right.

Other interesting designs move away from nature and adopt a more mechanical appearance making the radiator look like it was (or is) part of some kind of machine. These designs are commonly finished in brushed metal or stainless steel and they definitely make a statement.

To see more unusual and stylish designer radiators take a look at this ultra-modern radiators page, or this wave radiators page. There have never been more stylish and unusual radiators from which to choose.