Are you thinking of getting new white pressed steel panel radiators for your home?
If standard white radiators seem like the perfect solution for your home – and they’re the go-to for many engineers to quote for a reason – then this blog’s for you. I always add the description of ‘white pressed steel radiators’ so my customers don’t misunderstand and think we’re fitting column or flat panel radiators (which are a lot more expensive).
But are white pressed steel panel radiators the best choice for your home?
Not everyone knows the advantages or disadvantages of choosing these radiators for their home – to be honest, a lot of people don’t even think about it – so I’m going to discuss this topic in more detail below. After all, I’ve spent over 20 years fitting them, so I know a thing or two…
The pros
First, let’s look at the benefits or advantages of white steel pressed panel radiators:
1. They’re reasonably priced
Probably the most obvious benefit is that these radiators are the most affordable. This doesn’t mean they’re cheap, or shoddy – they’re industry-standard is all, and as long as you order radiators made by a reputable brand with a decent guarantee, you should be good to go.
So, nice new radiators that heat your home and don’t put a strain on the bank balance? A surefire win.
2. They’re readily available
Typically, most plumbers’ merchants will have the radiators you need in stock – meaning you won’t have to wait several days or even weeks to get your new radiators installed. It also means that if you need an emergency replacement, that can happen quickly, too.
This is in contrast to ordering designer or specially coloured radiators that are bespoke to your tastes – you’d be waiting around six weeks to get them delivered.
3. Numerous sizes and outputs
Again, because they’re the industry standard, you can get white pressed steel panel radiators in most heights and lengths to suit all rooms and spaces! So, you can get exactly what you need without having to place a special order.
4. They can come with fins
“Wait a second… what are fins, John?” – I hear you ask.
Well, radiator fins are the wavy pieces of metal at the back that draws the cold air from floor level and convects hot air into the room. This can add an extra 20 – 25% of heat output from the radiator, allowing you to get large outputs from small radiators. Small yet mighty!
You can get:
- Single panel radiators
- Single panel radiators with fins
- Double panel radiators with one set of fins
- Double panel radiators with two sets of fins
- Triple panel radiators with three sets of fins
5. Various styles available
Aside from fins, your standard white pressed steel panel radiators can also come with grilles and side panels fitted, or without. Alternatively, you can go with round top radiators, which are a preference for some. The bonus of these over grilles and side panels is that they don’t collect dust – a huge plus point for allergy sufferers.
You can also order curved radiators on special order, which is great if you have a river wall or bow window. It means you can take a template and have a curved radiator made to your own specifications!
The cons
Now, onto some of the disadvantages – although you may not see these as being all that bad.
1. They’re very basic
These are very plain, functional radiators. They’re not particularly pretty to look at, and they’re certainly not a statement piece – unlike some designer radiators which can add to a room much like a piece of furniture.
2. Grilles and side panels can be tricky
By tricky, I mean difficult to remove. This can be particularly infuriating for allergy sufferers, as they can collect dust. This is why if you or a member of your family suffers from allergies, it might be a good idea to invest in round-top standard white pressed steel panel radiators instead.
3. Some terms are confusing
Some manufacturers aren’t the most helpful when naming their radiators. They often call them K1, K2 and P+ – whereas others call them 11, 12, 22 and 33. What are they describing? Single panel radiators with fins, double panel radiators with one set of fins, double panel radiators with two sets of fins… and so on.
Advice from an experienced engineer
So, are white steel pressed panel radiators the best choice for you? If so, I’d advise you to buy from a good quality manufacturer; like Stelrad, Myson, or Delonghi. Some of the cheaper brands won’t give you the same quality, and means you could be forking out for replacements much sooner than planned.
I’d say around 90% of my customers have, have had, or will continue to fit these radiators. It’s the voice of millions, and results in reasonably-priced radiators to efficiently heat our homes.
Just remember that these are typically large radiators with fins, which can be heavy. Good fixing to the wall is necessary, so plasterboard walls may need extra support or strapping.
Conclusion
Hopefully this blog has given you a better idea of the main pros and cons of white steel pressed panel radiators. Of course, the radiators you choose completely comes down to personal preference. There’s no right or wrong answers – as long as you choose a reputable brand of radiator and they come with a good guarantee!
TIP: Your chosen engineer should be happy to order standard radiators for you based on the specifications you need.
Do you have any questions about standard white radiators? If so, let me know in the comments’ section. I’ll be happy to help!
