Buying Guides

How To Select The Best & Most Efficient Radiators For Your Home.

We know that choosing a new radiator can often be a complicated and difficult task, so to make the process as painless as possible, we’ve curated a selection of buying guides to help you. Our buying guides have everything you will need in order to choose the perfect radiator and/or towel rail for your home, whether you are buying new or upgrading an existing system.

A vertical and horizontal radiator shown side-by-side

Vertical or Horizontal Radiators: What to Choose?

When refreshing your home’s heating system, the choice between vertical and horizontal radiators isn’t just about style; it’s about function, space, and fit. Both types can deliver the warmth you need, but which one best suits your space?

Jul 244 min read

A white bench seated radiator on a wooden floor set against an eggshell colour wall

The Benefits of a Bench Seat Radiator

When heating meets furniture: the bench seat radiator is one of the most clever, stylish innovations in modern home design.

Jul 143 min read

Radiator Types Explained

Radiators have moved on from being purely functional white rectangular boxes that keep your home warm.

Jun 93 min read

Curved Radiators and How to Measure for Them

In this guide, we’ll explore what curved radiators are, when and why to use them, and most importantly, how to measure accurately for a perfect fit.

Jun 63 min read

An air source heat pump fitted to the side of a house

A Guide To Air Source Heat Pumps And Radiators

We look at air source heat pumps, how they work and whether you can use your existing radiators to heat your home with them.

Mar 284 min read

A Guide to Column Radiators

Inspired by traditional cast iron Victorian school-house designs, Column radiators are made from hollow tubes of steel and are an ever-popular choice when it comes to home heating.

Sep 17, 20242 min read

Why Choosing the Right Radiator Matters

Radiators are a key (if often overlooked) component of the comfort, warmth, and cosiness in our living space. The importance of selecting...

Aug 5, 20245 min read

Heating Glossary

Within our corner of the heating industry, there is a lot of terminology that can often be confusing, particularly when trying to decide...

Jun 17, 202411 min read

A Quick Guide to Tube Radiators

Tube or Tubular Radiators provide a stylish and attractive alternative to the mainstay of designer radiators - column radiators, and...

Mar 4, 20242 min read

What is a BTU & Why Is It Important?

As you explore the Radiators Direct site, you will see that ‘BTU’ is frequently used on our product pages, and it is important to know...

Feb 28, 20242 min read

Closeup for a Type 22 anthracite radiator

Type 11, 21 & 22 Radiators - What's The Difference?

The difference between type 11, 21 and 22 radiators is important to know to ensure you're buying the correct radiator to heat your room properly.

Feb 19, 20242 min read

Where Is the Best Place to Position a Radiator?

Pictured: Cicero Tube Radiator (Click image to view) For even heating and the right comfort levels, radiators are typically best placed...

Jul 19, 20234 min read

Are Particular Radiators Better Suited for Different Rooms?

More often than not, when we consider what a radiator is, we typically think in terms of bedroom or living room radiators. The reality is...

Jul 19, 20234 min read

Why You Should Choose a Heated Towel Rail

The term towel rail is one that makes people think of bathrooms, but a towel rail is just as effective in a kitchen utility room or...

Jul 19, 20232 min read

A Quick Guide to Reducing Your Heating/Energy Bills

There are a lot of things we can all do to help reduce our energy bills, from major projects to quick simple adjustments. One of the...

Jul 19, 20232 min read

Why You Should Choose an Aluminium Radiator

Radiators can be crafted from a number of materials such as steel, cast iron, and aluminium, with each choice presenting different...

Jul 18, 20232 min read

How to Choose the Right Material for Your Radiator

Understanding the different materials used to manufacture designer radiators can help ensure the right product is installed to get the best performance from the system and the best look.

May 1, 20234 min read

A photo of a radiator highlighting the pipe centres with a red line

What Are Pipe Centres and How Are They Measured?

Accurate measurement of pipe centres is vital to ensuring that the radiator's connection points align with the existing pipework, preventing installation issues and ensuring proper functionality.

Oct 4, 20221 min read

A Guide to Radiator Valves

Radiator valves control the operation of each radiator in a home. They are as important to the performance of the heating system as the...

Oct 4, 20227 min read

A Quick Guide to Cast Iron Radiators

Dating back to the 1840s, cast iron radiators are still a popular choice today. They are particularly suited to renovation projects, or...

Oct 4, 20222 min read

Your Guide to Replacing a Radiator Like for Like

If you want to replace a radiator without having to change the existing pipework, it needs to be the exact same size – in width and depth...

Oct 4, 20222 min read

Single or Double Radiators, Which Should I Choose?

When choosing a radiator, you may want to consider whether you want a single or double configuration. The main things to consider are heat output, size, and, of course, cost.

Oct 4, 20223 min read