The world of Column Radiators is varied and colourful. With designs reminiscent of radiators made during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, industrial inspired models and bright, colourful finishes, you are sure to find a stunning addition to your home. Column Radiators are perhaps the most customisable radiator on the market, as there is a wide breadth of sizes, styles and luxurious finishes to choose from. Their designs can vary from super traditional Edwardian and Victorian inspired models, championed by Paladin, or industrial chic bare metal lacquers, even brightly coloured models from luxury brands such as DQ, Vogue and Reina.

Column Radiators are extremely effective at their primary purpose: giving out heat! They work well in any room of the home when plumbed into your existing central heating system. The water from your central heating system is pumped into the radiator, filling each of the individual columns. The result is a huge surface area with hot water on one side of the metal and cold air on the other, causing a quick transfer of heat from the radiator to your room.

This is why column radiators have such a high heat performance compared to more modern models of radiator, there is simply more material to heat and in turn give out heat!

What is a column radiator?

Traditional Column Radiators

Traditional column radiators have been a mainstay of home heating systems for over a century. Usually made of cast iron, these vertically oriented radiators consist of connected sections that allow hot water or steam to flow through.

As the hot water passes from section to section, the large surface area of the radiator allows heat to radiate into the room. Column radiators are an effective way to distribute heat due to their vertical orientation and sectioned construction.

• The columns promote thermal convection as the hot air rises from the radiator, circulating heat in the room.

While antique cast iron radiators with ornate flourishes remain popular in historic homes, more contemporary models in sleek metals and minimalist styles exist as well. Despite advances in heating technology, traditional column radiators continue to provide an aesthetically pleasing and effective means of residential space heating.

A column radiator is made up of 2 main components:

Columns

Columns are the vertical tubes that run from the top to the bottom of each section of the radiator. Most column radiators are produced in 2-4 columns, although larger made to order sizes are available for sizeable rooms and spaces.

Sections

Sections determine the overall width of the radiator. You will notice on some column radiator products the size options state the height and width with the number of sections in brackets.

As always, the best place to start when choosing a radiator is to calculate the

BTU you will need for the space your radiator will be installed in. Once you have your BTU, you can play around with column numbers and sections to determine the best size and shape of radiator for your home.

The next important thing to consider is the wall your radiator will be installed on.

Solid Walls

Most solid walls will be able to hold the weight of a column radiator without additional support. However, if you are purchasing a cast iron column radiator we would err on the side of caution and purchase a model constructed with feet or purchase additional feet to handle the weight.

Stud Walls

A column radiator must have additional support if it is to be installed on a stud wall. Internal stud walls can typically only hold up to 40kg weight before additional support is required. This can be achieved by removing the plaster from your wall, adding supportive plywood bars to give strength to the wall, affixing the wall brackets of your radiator to the wood and replastering to achieve a smooth finish before your radiator can be mounted.

There are multiple mounting options for your column radiator.

Wall mounting

The most common method of mounting a traditional radiator is on the wall using brackets. Your radiator will be supplied with a standard wall mounting bracket set, but you may require a specially constructed stud wall bracket kit, or consider specially designed wall stays that will complement the overall look of your radiator.

Feet

Each radiator company offers multiple feet options. Feet are the supportive additional elements that support the weight of your radiator and add style to the design

Each radiator company will have their own bespoke feet suited to their column radiators, but they typically come in the following styles.

Slip-on feet

Slip-on feet do exactly that – they are slipped onto the bottom of the radiator and screwed into the floor to support the weight of the radiator. While size varies across brands, slip-on feet typically add 100-120mm height to your radiator, so consider the height of any skirting boards and windows whilst purchasing your column radiator.

Welded feet

Welded feet offer a more traditional look to your column radiator and are welded onto the bottom of your radiator, providing support and style.

Finish and Colour options

Column radiators are commonly made from steel or cast iron and feature a powder coat treatment, as this kind of pain is resistant to corrosion and ensures high levels of heat resistance without sacrificing colour tone.

Most column radiators are stocked in the most popular radiator colours, white and anthracite. You will find some models are available in the very attractive bare metal lacquer finish which gives an industrial style suited for many modern homes. Even though column radiators are traditional in nature, they don’t have to look that way. Most column radiators are available in a variety of RAL colours and special finishes.

Why not choose a bright orange colour or an on-trend sage green? The options are almost endless!

Although there is an additional cost for special finishes and colours, the

opportunity to have a unique and interesting design in your home is not one to be missed.

Valves & Sleeving Kits

Your new column radiator will need some valves. For a more modern feel try a satin nickel or black nickel finish TRV. For more traditional designs, wooden top TRVs will complement a classic model well.

Sleeving kits can enhance the overall look of your radiator by hiding unsightly pipework. You can match your sleeving kit finish to your TRV to ensure a cohesive and considered final look.

What are the overall benefits of buying a column radiator?

High Heat Output

Compared to other styles of radiators of a similar size, column radiators produce a much higher heat output than their more modern counterparts. This is simply due to the large surface area allows them to maintain a steady flow of heat.

Perfect for high ceilings

Column radiators are ideal for rooms with high ceilings. Heat rises naturally and rooms with more height will feel the benefit from the superior heat output produced by your column radiator.

Flexibility

Column radiators have the most flexibility when it comes to size. As they are constructed column by column there is a much wider variety of sizes. If you have a specific space or height restriction, altering the number of columns or sections is easy to create your perfect radiator.

If the multitude of stocked sizes are still not ideal for you, brands like DQ offer made to order sizes so we can construct your radiator exactly to your needs.

Design

Our column radiators range from simple, clean designs to Victorian inspired exquisitely intricate cast iron masterpieces. If you are looking for something unique that will stun in your home then a column radiator is the way to go.

As always, if you need further help with choosing the perfect radiator for your home, our sales team are on hand to help, call on 01257 452 879 or email sales@designerradiatorshowroom.co.uk

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It is crucial to seek guidance from the manufacturer and a certified professional for the installation process to ensure safety and compliance with all technical specifications and requirements. Proper installation is key to the optimal performance and longevity of the product.

Additionally, professional installation may be necessary to maintain the product’s warranty. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult with experts and not attempt to install the product yourself unless you are qualified to do so.