Have you ever heard someone mention a style of radiator but didn't know what they were referring to?
Well, just to help you out, the team here at Bathroom Takeaway have created a comprehensive glossary of all the different radiator styles.
As well as explaining what each radiator style means, we’ll also sprinkle in some bathroom-industry insider knowledge on each style.
Old style radiators
Old style radiators are modern radiators that are styled on a design from the past. When someone mentions old style radiators, they are generally referring to either column radiators or column-style traditional heated towel rails.
Once only popular in older properties, old style radiators are now widely used in modern homes too.
Victorian style radiators
Victorian style radiators are radiators that were used in Victorian-era properties in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Victorian style radiators are now more commonly referred to as cast iron radiators. Cast iron rads are those ornate, roll top radiators that have feet attached.
If you like the idea of Victorian style radiators but don’t want to invest in cast iron radiators then a more cost-effective solution is to buy column radiators. You can even buy column radiator feet to make them look even more like cast iron rads.
Modern style radiators
Modern style radiators are those sleek, minimalist designer radiators that have become so popular with UK homeowners.
Available in both horizontal and vertical configurations, modern style radiators often have either flat panels or even oval shaped panels.
One other variation of modern style radiator worth looking at is round tube radiators.
Raw metal column radiators are a good example of industrial style rads.
Edwardian style radiators
Similar to Victorian-era radiators, Edwardian style radiators are those antique style column radiators that were commonplace during the Edwardian-era in the United Kingdom (1901 - 1914).
Including Edwardian style radiators in your home is a great way to nail the ‘classic look’. Creating an authentic period aesthetic.
Industrial style radiators
Industrial style radiators are column radiators finished in industrial-vibe colours.
Raw metal column radiators are a good example of industrial style rads.
Other finishes that fit the industrial style are hammered colours. Hammered painted radiators are painted in such a colour as to appear hammered into shape, and they look amazing.
Retro style radiators
When someone is talking about retro style radiators, they are referring to column radiators.
Column radiators can work in literally any home however to achieve a ‘retro’ or even a ‘mid-century’ look, think about how you style your column radiator.
Retro home furnishings like walnut wood furniture, leather chairs or a brightly patterned rug looks great when paired with a retro style column radiator.
Ladder style radiators
Ladders style radiators are heated towel rails that are designed in a ladder effect.
Ladder heated towel rails are a great choice for the bathroom because they are a handy place to keep your towels. The heated towel rail keeps your towels toasty warm and also keeps your bathroom at the right temperature too.
There are a few different styles of heated towel rail to choose from. Popular designs are straight or curved ladder towel rails, both come in a variety of different finishes like matt black, chrome, anthracite or brushed brass.
Country style radiators
If you’re a fan of country-inspired interiors then you’re going to love country style radiators.
Country style rads are essentially column radiators used in country style interiors.
Country style interiors is a theme that comes from those stately homes that reside in the British countryside. Think creams and light green walls, exposed wood beams, and floral patterns: that’s the quintessential country style look.
The great news is that you don’t have to own a stately home to achieve this look. Simply opt for column radiators and frame them in a room that has country style fixtures and accessories.
Compact style radiators
Compact style radiators are exactly as the name implies, radiators that don’t protrude very much from your wall: they’re super-slim.
Compact rads are also commonly referred to as type 22 or type 11 radiators. The 22 or 11 refers to the amount of panels used in the compact radiator, so for example, a type 22 radiator has 2 panels and a type 11 radiator has 1 panel.
Compact radiators may not be the most stylish thing in the world, however they are highly practical and they don’t cost the earth. If you decide to install compact radiators in your home and want to style them up, consider radiator covers.
Column style radiators
Perhaps one of the most popular styles of radiator available, designer column radiators are those beautiful roll top radiators that are designed to capture the look of a cast iron radiator.
Column radiators are more cost-effective than cast iron rads and they’re more practical.
You can buy column radiators in either the horizontal or vertical configurations, and what’s great is that you can get them in a whole host of different colours and finishes.
A top tip is to add matching column radiator feet to complete the look.
Cast iron style radiators
Cast iron style radiators are the Rolls Royce of radiators.
Made from individual ‘cast’ columns which are then precision-welded together, cast iron radiators are very much a ‘statement’ radiator.
You can buy cast iron radiators in a good selection of finishes, sizes and shapes. Some designs come with ornate patterns featured into each column.
Vintage style radiator
If someone says they’re thinking about buying a vintage radiator they are talking about either a cast iron radiator or a traditional column radiator.
Vintage style radiators used to be a style that was only used in older properties however in more modern times, customers are installing vintage rads in modern properties too.
Vintage radiators have a timeless style that can lend itself to virtually any room, if done right.
New style radiators
New style radiators are modern designer radiators that people are choosing to replace older compact radiators.
New style radiators come in a few different styles. Popular choices are flat panel and oval panel new style rads.
Back in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s, the only real choice when it came to radiators was a type 22 or type 11 style compact radiator. Thankfully, now in more modern times, new style radiators allow you to choose a heating option that heats your home and looks good at the same time.
Period style radiators
Period style radiators are modern radiators that are styled on a radiator design used in the past.
If you want to buy a period style radiator for your home then you need to buy either a cast iron radiator or a column style radiator.
Column radiators are the most popular option for anyone trying to achieve the ‘period look’ in their home. Even though modern column radiators have all the charm and sophistication of radiators of the past, they are designed and built to modern standards so will efficiently and effectively heat your home.
Hospital style radiators
When someone mentions that they want to install hospital style radiators, they are generally referring to one of two styles of radiator.
Old school hospital style radiators are either column radiators or cast iron radiators. Modern style hospital radiators are smart electric radiators.
Smart electric radiators work really well when installed in a hospital however they are great for the home too. Electric rads are a good solution if you need radiators for a room in your home that doesn’t have hot water access. For example; conservatories, converted garages and lofts are clever places to install a smart electric radiator.
Antique style radiator
Antique style radiators are either column radiators or cast iron radiators.
Both column radiators or cast iron radiators bought today are radiators manufactured to a modern standard but made to look like radiators that were used in the past.
Antique style radiators are now available to buy in a multitude of different colours and finishes. If you want to nail the ‘antique’ look then think about a column radiator in a ‘hammered’ finish. A hammered finish is a radiator that has been painted in such a way as to appear ‘hammered’ into shape.
Georgian style radiators
Similar to Victorian and Edwardian style radiators, Georgian style radiators are modern radiators that are styled on radiators that were popular during the Georgian period in British history (1714 to 1837).
Georgian style radiators in the modern world refers to either cast iron radiators or column radiators. Cast iron radiators in particular are a great addition to your home if you want to create an authentic Georgian-style setting in your home.
Cottage style radiators
Cottage style radiators are modern radiators that have been designed to look like radiators that are commonly seen in cottages in rural United Kingdom.
Think Iris’s cottage in the 2006 film The Holiday. Those homely and cosy cottages that can be found in villages and towns up and down the UK; cottage style radiators are the style of radiator you would find in Iris’s living room.
If you want to buy a cottage style radiator, then the best bet is to invest in a traditional column radiators
Classic style radiators
Classic style radiators are either cast iron radiators or column radiators.
Choosing either or these two types of radiator will help you to achieve a ‘classic’ look in your home or office.
The classic look works really well in period properties and for homeowners doing up an older house. If you like the classic look but live in a new build property then classic columns radiators can work there too, if styled correctly.
School style radiators
School style radiators are radiators that may very well have been fitted into the school you attended while growing up.
Older school buildings typically had column radiators or cast iron radiators installed in them.
Modern built schools have smart electric radiators installed. Electric radiators are a great choice for schools because they don’t need to be connected to a central heating system.
Heritage style radiators
Similar to antique, classic, retro or vintage style radiators; heritage style radiators are modern manufactured radiators that have been designed to look like radiators that were used in ‘heritage’ properties in the past.
If you want to be a proud owner of a heritage style radiator, then go for either a cast iron radiator or a classic column radiator.
