DESIGNER RADIATOR

Radiator Finishes

The traditional finish of a radiator has been either white or a colour reminiscent of cast iron. But things have changed over the last couple of decades and now radiators come in a range of colour finishes and some unusual textures.

Radiator colours

Although white remains the most popular finish colour for a radiator, a stainless steel or brushed metal finish has become increasingly common and affordable.

Metallic finishes nearly always look good in bathrooms, partly because they send out a message of cleanliness. They also fit in well with kitchens where their clean slick appearance can tie in with a metallic sink, or the finishes on ovens, stoves or hobs.

The metallic finished radiator can also offer a minimalist look which fits in well with any modern decor, particularly when a room is defined using a limited colour pallet.

A stainless steel or brushed metal finish is also popular with some of the more sculpture like radiator designs comprised from complex tubular formations. These radiators are intended to stand out as a focal point and this is enhanced by their bright and reflective surface finish.

In addition to the whites, chromes and brushed metal finishes, many radiators now come in a range of different colours to suit the colour scheme of a room. Many radiators can be ordered in blues, reds or even matt black.

Material finishes

Some of the more expensive and unusual designer radiators have heating systems that move away from the conventional "heated liquid" paradigm and this can open up the opportunities for different surface finishes. Some of these radiators have matt finishes whilst others can include mirrored sections, textures or embedded lighting.

Some flat panel radiators cleverly use a reflective or brushed metal finish so that they reflect and refract the light in different ways to produce unusual effects. This is especially common with flat panel radiators that are slightly curved enabling them to catch the light from different parts of a room.

There are also radiators that create unusual textural effects by undulating the surface finish of the radiator, or by simulating a mesh like texture for extra drama. These radiators are at the top end of the price range, but they can be the centre point of a room.