As a material, brass has a timeless elegance.
Brass instantly elevates the look and feel of any room and it’s easy to see why homeowners are so eager to add it to their home interiors.
But what about the idea of a Brass Radiator (or radiators) in your home?
In this Bathroom Takeaway post, we share our very best brass radiator ideas and go into detail of what options are available and how to style a brass radiator.
Types of brass (for a radiator)
When planning a brushed brass radiator, it’s important to know the different types of brass that you can buy.
Obviously, brass is brass, however there are a few subtle differences between the various brass finishes.
Brushed Brass - A hugely popular choice with homeowners, brushed brass has a matte finish which is created by a subtle brushed effect. Brushed brass has a stylish, contemporary look and is really easy to clean and maintain.
Antique Brass - Antique brass is that ‘olde-worlde’ style brass that is darker than other brass finishes. Antique brass has a weathered look that gives it an authentic appeal. Choose this type of brass finish if you’re styling an older property or if you’re trying to achieve the period look.
Polished Brass- Polished brass is the gleaming bright type of brass that most people associate with the material. Polished brass has that gorgeous yellow-ish appearance that looks so smart in a home setting. Polished grass can be a touch more prone to finger and water marks however most are treated with a finish that makes them super-easy to clean.
Satin Brass- Satin brass is similar to brushed brass but also it isn’t. Satin brass is a slightly more understated type of brass, much less ‘showy’ than polished or brushed brass. While satin brass does have a matte finish, the colour of satin brass is more brown rather than yellow, when compared to other colours of brass. Choose this finish if you want a sophisticated, yet understated look in your home.
Traditional brass radiators
One of our favourite brass radiator ideas is to install traditional-style brass radiators in your home.
Traditional, roll top column radiators already have a vintage charm before you even think about getting one in brass. However, if you do choose this style of radiator in brass, then it takes the design to a whole other level.
Traditional brass radiators are available in almost all brass finishes so you can choose between brushed brass, polished brass, antique brass, or even satin brass.
If you’re installing radiators in an older property then we would suggest installing a traditional antique brass radiators. If you have your heart set on a more contemporary look in your home then consider a polished or brushed brass traditional radiator.
Brass heated towel rail
If you want to introduce more brass to your bathroom then a brass heated towel rail is the way to go.
Brass towel radiators are treated with a special lacquered finish so they are impervious to the wet conditions of a modern bathroom.
Brass heated towel rails are available in a multitude of different shapes, sizes and colour finishes. If you’re bored of the more common chrome or matt black heated towel rails, then brass is a great alternative finish.
Brass radiator accessories
If you’re going to invest in a brass radiator or heated towel rail then you also need to seriously think about getting the matching brass radiator accessories.
Accessories like brass radiator valves, pipes and collars are available to buy in the matching brass colour and finish.
Matching your accessories to your radiator is a great way to elevate the look of your radiator because it’s one of those small things that has a big effect. Matching your brushed brass radiator valves really shows that you care about the look of your home and that no small detail has escaped your planning.
Hammered copper radiators
Here’s a brass radiator idea that’s a little bit different: hammered copper radiators.
Ok you’ve got me, hammered copper isn’t in fact brass, however this unique finish can create the brass radiator look.
Hammered copper is that ‘old school’ style finish that you may have come across in an older property. The hammered effect mimics the idea that the finish was created by someone ‘hammering’ a piece of metal into shape.
Hammered copper radiators work really well with traditionally styled rads. Those beautiful column style radiators (mentioned earlier) work really well in a hammered copper colour.
The brass ‘look’
These days, when choosing the finishes for your room, you need to consider the ‘look’ of the whole room.
The idea here is that all of the metal finishes in your room either match up or complement each other.
Think small details here. A clever brass radiator idea is to match the other metal finishes in your room with the colour of your radiator. Things to think about are your light switches, door trims, plug sockets and door handles, etc.
If everything has the same ‘feel’ then it makes for a more coordinated room.
It’s not always possible to perfectly match up all your brass finishes in exactly the same hue however this isn’t a bad thing. If everything is too matchy-matchy then it can be a bit ‘garish’. If the overall theme of your room is brass, then it will help to set the scene that will allow your radiator to be shown off to the maximum.
FAQ’s
How long do brass radiators last?
Brass radiators, or more accurately brass finished radiators, last just as long as any modern radiator. Properly maintained and connected to the correct water source, a brass radiator can last up to 25 years.
Can you paint a brass radiator?
Yes, you can.If you want to update the colour of a brass radiator in the future, then you can simply paint it a different colour. You’ll need a primer to make sure the radiator paint correctly adheres to your brass finished radiator. Painting a brass radiator is a cost-effective way of changing up the look of your radiator (and room).
