When it comes to renovating a home, you want to be sure you’re not just making choices that are good for your wallet and aesthetically pleasing. You also want to be sure that your choices are going to be kind to the planet.
You might be concerned that retro radiators might not be the best choice for your home. After all, hasn’t radiator design come a long way since the Victorian era? Surely those retro style radiators can’t be the best choice for your home.
The good news is that retro cast iron radiators are enduringly popular for a reason. They look the part, they’re incredibly efficient, and they are durable and long-lasting. All of this adds up to a better choice for your home, whether you are renovating your first home or your forever home.
Retro cast iron radiators make the most of the thermodynamic properties of iron. They heat up more slowly than steel panel radiators, but once they reach their peak temperature, they retain this heat for much longer.
Contrast this to steel radiators, which heat up quickly and then disperse their heat and cool down. These radiators disperse the heat to the air around them, and this can be quickly lost in cold draughts.
With retro radiators, the radiator continues to heat the air around it for much longer, even after you’ve switched off your central heating. This can allow you to keep your home at a consistently comfortable temperature, without having to keep firing up your central heating.
When you pair retro radiators with thermostatic radiator valves, you can enjoy even greater efficiency. Rather than manually choosing between “on” or “off”, TRVs allow you to set the central temperature for your home, and for each individual room. This allows for far greater efficiency in how you heat your home.
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Kenilworth Gun Metal Matt Thermostatic Valve Set
Another consideration when replacing radiators is the lifetime value of the upgrade. If you need to replace your radiators earlier than expected, this will obviously be less beneficial for the environment.
Thankfully, cast iron retro radiators are incredibly durable and long-lasting. Cast iron is strong and resistant to knocks and damage. This means you can confidently install them in your home without worrying about having to replace them in a few years.
With the right maintenance, your cast iron radiators will last for decades. It’s vital to choose a reputable cast iron radiator manufacturer with a track record for excellence. Check out our reviews to see feedback from our happy customers.
Another consideration when choosing renovation options for your home is whether you are choosing timeless styles or if it might be a short-lived trend. Short-lived trends might work in terms of paint colours or soft furnishings, as you can easily update these with the trends.
But when it comes to more important home decor decisions, like your radiators, you want to make sure that you are opting for a timeless style choice. Thankfully, retro radiators are always popular and look stunning in period properties and modern properties alike.
With a choice of classic colours, including matt and satin black, gun metal grey, bronze and cream, you can choose the right radiators for your style. These design choices form the basis on which all other design choices will rest on, which is why it’s a great idea to choose a retro style. When decorating a period property, choosing styles that are authentic to the time period will always look well placed.
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Traditional Victorian 4 Column in Cream White
Stratford Satin Nickel Thermostatic Radiator Valve Set
If you have old cast iron radiators in your property that have reached the end of their life, you don’t have to send them to landfill. Iron is one of the world’s most recyclable materials, and it is always in demand.
In principle, all iron can be recycled infinitely, as it doesn’t lose its properties that make it valuable and useful. So, if you’ve purchased a property with original cast iron radiators, you can always take these to a scrap yard to be recycled and turned into something useful.
Here is a selection of our favourite classic radiator styles, including a classic retro school radiator and beautifully ornate radiator. These styles are perfect for both period properties and modern homes. See real customer inspiration to see how these radiators could work for your home.
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Traditional Victorian 4 Column 660mm Cast Iron Radiator in Satin Black
Art Nouveau 2 Column 750mm Cast Iron Radiator in Antique Bronze
Traditional Victorian 3 Column 745mm Cast Iron Radiator in Gunmetal Grey
Tall Princess 2 Column 760mm Cast Iron Radiator in Cream White
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