skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Stories
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Advice
HOUZZ DISCUSSIONS
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Design Dilemma
mrsclairenicholson

Radiator Advice Needed Please

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Hello,
We are just decorating our living room as part of a major house renovation and need some help / advice with radiators please.

There are currently two radiators, one large and one small but unfortunately both have pipes coming down from the ceiling that are boxed in and look quite ugly. Both are quite old and need replacing anyway.

Clearly ideally we would have had the wall cut out and had then hidden and then plastered over but we didn't and it's all quite a lot of hassle now, so looking for an alternative solution.
Our plumber has suggested that rather than looking at the boxing and then the ugly pipes going along in front of the skirting boards, that we should just switch them for two vertical radiators on the wall that you walk in on, which will hide the vast majority of the boxed pipework.

At the moment one of the radiators (the small one pictured) is on the wall as you walk in and the other is under the window. So the one under the window would switch to the adjacent wall also.

The room is 6.4m x 3.8m and three of the walls are external, with two double glazed windows, both of which are 2.4m x 1.2m.
I should also mention that the room has a large log burner which we use all through winter so the radiators are only really for when that's not on.

I have done one of those online heat output calculators and it reckons we need 3800 BTU @ 50 degrees (whatever that means!).
My question is, if we have two radiators does each need to be this output or do I divide the recommended output by two, so each radiator is half the total recommended output?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations on good but fair priced radiators please?

Thanks for your help in advance,

Claire


Featured Answer
  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Claire, the BTU output you require is for the entire room. If you used our BTU calculator it will have asked what is above and below the room, type of windows, etc and the total ouput required would be for the entire room.

    That being the case - and with the fact that you also have a very lovely looking woodburner in your room - you could probably do away with the radiator behind the door and look at getting a larger oversized radiator for under the window or, as your plumber says, a vertical one to sit at the side of the window, hiding away pipework.

    There are a whole host of suitable sizes available to suit this space in our store.

    And here's a few pics that our customers have sent that show a similar approach to your room, using vertical radiators.

    This customer made a real feature at one end of the room.

    Whereas this customer chose to keep her radiator behind the door, like you could perhaps try if you wanted to.


    As long as you have calculated the correct BTU output, you can use one radiator or divide the output into two radiators. The BTU requirement is for the room, so however you want to work it is down to you.

    From a design POV I (personally) would get rid of the one behind the door to free up some space and opt for a double panel vertical radiator on the wall with the window, or replace the one under the window with a horizontal alternative that kicks out a lot of heat.

    The only thing with a straight swap for the one under the window would be the pipework issue, so if that is your biggest concern, it may be the better option to use a vertical rad at the side of the window instead.

    I hope this helps a little. If you get stuck, just drop me an email and I'll see if I can help you out a little more - john.lawless@bestheating.com.

    In the meantime, check out some of the radiators that meet your requirements in our store - www.bestheating.com

    All the best. John

    Comments (18)

    Sponsored
    More Discussions
    Advice for kitchen colour scheme
    7
    New home, tricky lounge
    8
    Best way to renovate my kitchen/ utility as have very limited space.
    4
    Chose rendering
    7
    Transitional Living Room - Advice & AI rendering
    0