Are you looking to find out more about cast iron radiators?
Most standard radiators these days come in white pressed steel or aluminium. But cast iron radiators are something else entirely! They have a classic look that fits right in with a traditional Victorian or Georgian property.
So, if you’re looking for radiators that fit right in with the style of your property, these could be quite the thing. Instead of what most homeowners are used to – a standard white panel radiator on their wall – you probably want a feature that looks great and matches your home and decor.
These radiators are the more modern version of the traditional, old-fashioned cast iron radiators. They look just the same, but they’re a bit more efficient! Still, you can even get traditional looking brass or pewter valves to match. *LINK TO BLOG*
So, as an engineer with over 20 years’ experience fitting radiators in and around Edinburgh and Central Scotland, I’m going to share with you all that you need to know about cast iron radiators.
1. They come in an array of sizes and outputs
Which means you’re sure to find something that’s right for your home. When referring to size, many manufacturers refer to them as sections. This can mean six bars – that equates to one section. They come in a number of columns, so when fitted under a window, you count from the window into the room (two, four, six columns etc.).
2. They’re heavy and come in 8 – 10 sections
Each section of a cast iron radiator must be joined together. They tend to be delivered on a pallet, so if you ordered five radiators, they’d come in something like 15 pieces. You’d have to then join three pieces together to make one radiator.
This is because when together, they’d weigh 75kg. You simply wouldn’t be able to carry them upstairs!
3. They require experienced hands to fit
In other words, if your engineer hasn’t fitted them before, get someone else to do it. Fitting cast iron radiators is a very specialist thing to do, and there’s a certain way to do it. They’re sealed using paper seals – no silicon sealants, no boss white or jointing compounds. A paper washer is what seals it – it simply lies flat and holds the pressure.
4. They generally take longer to heat
Because they’re cast iron, they typically take longer to heat up. It could mean you’ll want to turn your heating on earlier. Good new, though! When your boiler’s off, they also take longer to cool down. Usually radiators cool within 15 – 20 minutes, but with cast iron, they can take 40 – 60 minutes to cool down, and won’t be cold to touch for a good hour.
5. They won’t give out as much heat
It’s true that cast iron radiators don’t give out as much heat as the likes of steel or aluminium. They don’t convect heat, as they’re just columns with no fins at the back to draw cold air up from underneath and convect it out again. Because of this, they’re less efficient.
But when people buy them, its not efficiency they’re looking for. They tend to be fitted in older, draftier properties, so the benefits of taking longer to cool are a plus.
6. You have to add extra £s on for paint
Most cast iron radiators are usually always priced on being finished with primer. This means that you’ll have to add on the cost for a coat of paint to the final price you pay. If you want ’em finished in white, black, grey (or any other colour) then it’ll be around £50 – £100 per radiator just for the paint alone.
You can pay the extra to get them sprayed in a factory, or you can paint them yourself to save a bit of money.
7. They must be secured with wall ties
As a rule of thumb, I’ve found that people buying cast iron radiators worry because of the weight. That’s one reason I always turn round and recommend putting them on feet, rather than hanging them on your walls. Even so, they absolutely must have ties so they can’t be pulled over by children, pets or anyone – they could be fatal!
So, buy your metal ties at the same time as ordering, and get them in the same colour.
Advice from an experienced engineer
Speak to your chosen engineer before ordering your cast iron radiators. Check that they’ve had plenty of experience fitting this style of radiator, as it can really be a specialist job and you don’t want any mistakes!
One customer of mine wanted his radiators in primer. His job was to spray the inside of elevators and used to renovate them all through the country. Therefore, he already had his spray guns, coating materials etc. and wanted to spray the radiators himself using his own specific colours. It turned out great!
If you’re fitting these lovely, traditional-looking radiators in a lovely colour, ensure you pick the right valves to go with them. Like I mentioned, the newer valves to match these really look the part, but they’re thermostatic so are still much more efficient! *LINK TO BLOG*
Conclusion
Thanks for reading. By now, you should have a much better idea of things to consider when purchasing cast iron radiators for your home. Not everyone realises how much of a specialist installation they can be. Or that you have to add on extra pennies for the paintwork!
Do you have any questions about cast iron radiators? If so, let me know in the comments. I’ll be sure to reply!
