Heated Towel Rail Buying Guide
One of the more common home improvements to carry out in any home’s bathroom is to install a heated towel rail. It need not be too expensive (unless you have a large budget) and apart from being of practical use also perks up the look of the bathroom. Having nice warm towels to use on a cold wintry morning after your bath or shower is more of a must-have than a luxury.
Size
The first thing to consider when deciding about going in for a heated towel rail is its size. As far as possible, installing a heated towel rail and a conventional radiator is a sound idea. The heated towel rail will dry and warm the towels while the radiator heats the bathroom.
The area of the bathroom you plan to install the towel rail will help to determine its size. Since most of the models are available in vertical columns, even those with small bathrooms will find these convenient to install.
Even those homeowners with bathrooms that have limited space both vertically and horizontally can look for smaller models that will fit in a limited space.
Measurements and dimensions
When planning to invest in a heated towel rail, you need to use a tape measure to determine the area that will be suited to the dimensions of the towel rail you choose. The two aspects to consider are the width and height.
If you have pre-existing pipes you plan to install the heated towel rail you need to be aware of the pipe centres. The centres are the distance between pipe inlets on the model. As far as possible the pipes’ distance should be near the measurement of the pipe centres as mentioned at the site. Of course, the measurement is of no significance if a plumber is going to install new pipes for the towel rails. Generally, the pipes are only installed after the model of the heated towel rail is selected.
There is an additional projection measurement for each model. It is the distance the towel rail from the wall. For those with limited bathroom space, choose a model with less projection so that it does not stick out too much from the wall.
Type of towel rail
This is not about the finish or style and instead is dependent on the central heating system you have at home.
Standard central heating system
Most homeowners own a conventional central heating system using hot water. In this arrangement, the thermostat is connected to a gas boiler that heats the water that is transported around the property using pipework that leads to radiators. For those that have this heating system, a standard towel rail will be perfect. It will be hooked up to the central heating and the flowing warm water will heat the towels.
Electric heating system
There are quite many homes across the UK that use an electrical central heating system. These do not feature a gas boiler and there is no flow of hot water into regular radiators. Instead, there are wall-mounted storage heaters hooked to the mains and are heated when the mains are turned on. For a home that features this heating system, an electrically heated towel rail is the answer. These come in two options with a thermostatically heated rail (the temperature is adjustable) and non-thermostatic (fixed temperature). There are models with timers to switch them on and off and offer different temperature ranges as per your needs.
Dual fuel heating system
As the name suggests it can operate both on a heating system with a standard boiler and also by connecting to the electrical mains. The standard heating system of a boiler can be used all through the home the year-round, whereas in a conservatory area an electrical system can be installed that only need be used when needed. The latter electric heating system in the conservatory will be much more energy-efficient since it can be used only when needed.
This method is used by quite many homeowners. The dual heating system is linked to the conventional hot water system and also features an alternative connection to an electrical heating system. The latter enables heating the towel rails without any need to switch on the entire heating for the property. It is particularly useful in the summer months when the towels need to be dry without any need for heating the home. Towel rails with dual heating offer both non-thermostatic and thermostatic models.
Aesthetics of the towel rail
Once you are done with the area and dimensions, you can focus on choosing a heated towel rail model that fits in with the décor of your bathroom. There is a limited colour range that is the standard across the country. The model you opt for is subject to the aesthetics of the area you plan to have it installed.
Mirrored/Shiny Heated Towel Rails: Once found in trendy 5-star hotels, the mirror-finished heated towel rails were mass-produced and introduced over two decades ago to homeowners. With their ritzy finish, they blend in well with bath fixtures found in most modern bathrooms. Since shower heads, taps and other fixtures come with a stainless steel or chrome finish, having a similar heated towel rail complements the interiors well and adds a touch of uniformity.
White Heated Towel Rails: A hit with homeowners white heated towel rails come with a sophisticated look. These are ideal for bathroom suites that have a white finish with a classic white look popularly seen in many bathrooms. The white look exudes a sense of hygiene and cleanliness, with a similar coloured heated towel rail matching the interior décor to perfection.
Black Heated Towel Rails: Those looking for a trendy contrast to a bathroom suite with an all-white finish will do well to opt for a black heated towel rail. When combined with a black and white tiled floor it is an aesthetic match. It also proves to be a trendy counterpoint with bathrooms that feature a white scheme and stone tiles.
Anthracite Heated Towel Rails: These have surged in popularity with many homeowners and have featured prominently in many bathrooms’ interior décor events. Anthracite heated towel rails may also feature a silvery and charcoal finish that adds to their appeal. When the lighting of the bathrooms reflects off the anthracite finish, they add a glamorous look to the area.
Stainless Steel Heated Towel Rails: These offer the same stylish look of chrome-plated heated towel rails and also are available in a sleek satin finish. These are manufactured of extremely high-grade stainless steel. Since these are excellent heat conductors, they are more energy-efficient, which leads to lower energy costs. As they are rust-resistant, they are much more durable and cost-effective in the long run.
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