Spotlight on Radiators
A radiator is one of the few things you buy for its looks and its performance in equal measure, and the two do not always pull the same way. The trick is to start with the heat your room actually needs, then choose the type, material and finish around that.
Get the order right and you end up with a radiator that looks the part and keeps the room warm; get it the wrong way round and you can end up with a beautiful radiator that never quite heats the space. This page helps you choose, points you to the guides where the detail lives, and links straight through to every type, material and finish in the range.
How to choose a radiator
Output first, looks second. Work out the heat output your room needs (its BTU), then pick the type, material and finish that suit the space. A radiator that is too small leaves the room cold; one that is too big wastes energy. Once the output is right, the style is yours to choose.
Our how to choose the right radiator and what size radiator do I need? (BTU) guides walk through it step by step
Shop by type
The type sets the shape and where a radiator suits best:
- Designer for a statement piece. Shop designer radiators.
- Vertical to save wall space on a narrow wall. Shop vertical radiators.
- Column for a heritage look and high output. Shop column radiators.
- Panel for a practical, cost-effective everyday choice. Shop panel radiators.
- Heated towel rails to warm towels and the bathroom. Shop heated towel rails.
Shop by material
Material affects how fast a radiator heats, how much it weighs and how it holds warmth. Steel is the versatile, cost-effective standard. Aluminium is lightweight, heats fast and gives high output for its size, which makes it the performance pick and the natural partner for a heat pump. Cast iron heats slowly but holds warmth long after the heating is off, with a heritage look to match. Most homes use steel for the bulk of their radiators and reach for aluminium or cast iron where performance or character matters most.
Aluminium radiators lead on speed and output; for the full comparison see aluminium vs cast iron vs steel radiators
Shop by finish
Finish is where the radiator meets your scheme. Anthracite is the modern default, black makes a sharp statement, white blends quietly, grey is a soft neutral and chrome suits bathrooms. Browse anthracite and coloured radiators for the most popular options.
Choose by style and output
This is the step most buyers skip. Every radiator has a heat output, measured in BTUs or watts, and your room needs a certain amount to feel warm, based on its size, windows and insulation. A vertical radiator saves wall space but a slim one may give less heat, so check the output at the size you want. A panel is cost-effective, a column gives more heat from more sections, and aluminium responds fast. Choose the look you like, then confirm it delivers the output your room needs rather than assuming it will.
A few things push the number up: large rooms, high ceilings, big windows, external walls and older, less-insulated homes all need more output, while a small, well-insulated room needs less. If a room is hard to heat, the answer is usually more output, not just a bigger-looking radiator, which is why the BTU figure matters more than the size on the box.
Use a BTU calculation to size it: see what size radiator do I need?
Replacing old radiators?
Should you flush the system first? Often yes. Older heating systems build up sludge, a black iron-oxide debris that settles in radiators and causes cold spots at the bottom. Fitting shiny new radiators onto a dirty system can clog them and undo the upgrade. A power flush, plus a magnetic filter and a corrosion inhibitor, cleans the system and protects what you fit. It is a job for a heating engineer, who can advise whether your system needs it.
Read power flush before new radiators? for the full picture
Radiators for heat pumps
Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than a gas boiler, so the radiators have to give out the same heat from cooler water. That usually means higher-output or larger radiators than a boiler system would need. Aluminium suits heat pumps well because it heats quickly and gives high output for its size, and oversized panels work too. If you are moving to a heat pump, plan the radiators around the lower temperature rather than reusing whatever is on the wall.
Aluminium radiators are the performance choice; see best radiators for heat pumps for sizing
Heated towel rails: which type?
Towel rails come in three types, and the right one depends on when you want the heat. An electric rail runs off the mains, so it works year round independently of your heating. A central-heating rail runs off your boiler with the rest of the radiators. A dual-fuel rail does both, which means warm towels in summer with the heating off. Whichever you choose, check the output is enough if you want it to heat the room as well as the towels.
See the best towel rail for a bathroom to choose
Valves and accessories
A radiator needs valves to control it, and a few accessories finish the job. Thermostatic valves (TRVs) let you set the temperature room by room; manual valves are simpler. Add pipe covers, a bleed key, brackets and, for electric or dual-fuel rails, a heating element. Radiator valves and accessories complete the setup. To hide an existing radiator rather than replace it, see our sibling range of radiator covers.
Delivery, quality and reassurance
We have helped people heat and improve their homes since 1999, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from more than 60,000 Trustpilot reviews. Expect free UK delivery, a price match and 365-day returns on your order.
Radiator FAQs
How do I choose the right radiator?
Start with the heat output your room needs (its BTU), then choose the type, material and finish that fit your space and style: output first, looks second. The how to choose and BTU guides walk through it (linking when live).
What size radiator do I need?
It depends on the room's dimensions, windows and insulation. A BTU calculation gives the output required: undersize and the room stays cold, oversize and you waste energy. See what size radiator do I need?
Should I flush my heating system before fitting new radiators?
Often yes. Old systems build up sludge that causes cold spots and can clog new radiators; a flush plus a magnetic filter and inhibitor protects them. A heating engineer can advise. See the power flush guide
What radiators are best for a heat pump?
Heat pumps run at lower temperatures, so you need higher-output or larger radiators. Aluminium and oversized panels suit them well. See the heat-pump guide (linking when live).
What's the difference between an electric, dual-fuel and central-heating towel rail?
An electric rail runs off the mains, central-heating off your boiler, and dual-fuel does both, so it works in summer with the heating off. See heated towel rails and the towel-rail guide (linking when live).
Can I just put a cover over my old radiator instead?
If the radiator works and you only want to change the look or make it safer, yes: a radiator cover sits over the existing radiator. If the radiator is failing or underpowered, replacing it is the better fix.
Shop radiators by type, material and finish, or read how to choose the right radiator to start with output. Big brands, small prices.