good value column radiators (milano windsor?)

[OC75]

Hi, we are currently trying to source radiators for a new build. We have found the Milano Windsor range on the 'best heating' website. They seem to be about the only column rads in our budget range. Has anyone any experience of them?. We are a bit concerned about buying online. There is a similar priced range sold by Screwfix called Acova. Again I can't find any independent reviews. Your advice would be much appreciated.

It would be great to hear if anyone has any experience of these ranges.

Is there another range we should be looking at??

[BettysMom]

We have acova - they are (we're) sold in both screwfix and B&q - some are cheaper in screwfix and some in b&q. They look great but collect dust like it's going out of fashion, hard to clean and if you put wet washing to them the clothes dry with ridges on them!

[greenwhitefrog]

I have acova too and they're great, look good and send out a decent amount of heat.

Agree with the PP on the dusting though!

[BettysMom]

Also, they're a lot heavier than normal radiators and so will need supporting with feet - the "official" feet are really expensive!

[OC75]

Ok thanks for that bettysmom and greenwhitefrog. Can you paint behind the Acova, or can you not see through them?

Still hoping someone on here has some experience of the Milano Windsor Range???

[Pooky001]

Lurker delurking just to say I recently bought two of the Milano Windsor column rads for an extension. Really pleased with them, they look great and seem to chuck out a decent amount of heat (the bdu output is v good apparently). I went for the white in the end as the raw metal was out of stock. Delivery was v quick but it took two people to get them in the house, they weigh a ton. Didn’t go for the feet in the end but the angled thermostatic valves in brass.

[Stylinit]

We put Milano Windsor rads in our kitchen/diner/family room last year. Tall vertical ones, one 2 column & one 3 column.

We are very happy with them.

And our plumber (who is also a friend) ended up buying them for his own house refurb so they must be ok.

Only slight challenge was that they are very heavy so needed special fixings but ours don’t have feet, just extra strong fittings in the wall.

We also ordered from best heating and all went very smoothly with that.

[Stylinit]

We painted before the rads went on.

[Stylinit]

This is the narrower 2 column one. Though there really isn’t much depth difference between the 2 & 3 column rads.

[Movinghouseatlast]

I have just installed two Milano Windsor and love them! I am going to do the whole house in them.

[OC75]

Thanks Pooky & Stylinit for that. Did you buy your Milano Windsors from bestheating.com??

Is there anything I need to be aware of if buying? e.g. what supplementary fixture and fittings do I need to buy or are they all included.

[BettysMom]

You can see through the Acovas so paint behind them!

[OC75]

Where are you buying your Milano Windsor?

[Movinghouseatlast]

I got mine from Victorian Plumbing. They have a different name there. I think the prices are similar everywhere.

[Pooky001]

Yes mine were from Best Heating and arrived within a couple of days of placing the order. Had to order the valves separately. We still need to paint behind them but have bought small paint pads which should work.

[Scotinoz]

We've got the Acova radiators too. Bought them from Screwfix I think. We didn't buy the feet, there's just wall hung. Husband and brother-in-law did them. They look nice, but are dust traps!

[Neolara]

We have the milano Windsor from best heating. Very pleased with them and the company.

[Mydressinggownismybestfriend]

Do you use these in all rooms or just ones where a regular horizontal radiator wouldn’t fit? Do they heat the room as well as regular radiators?

[Movinghouseatlast]

I had to reread that as I couldn't work out what you meant. Then I realised you think that they are all vertical.

They come in all shapes and sizes, mine are ordinary horizontal shape.

[OC75]

Do the Milano Windsor & Acova come with all the necessary valves and brackets to install and control them?

Do you have to order feet for the vertical and horizontal or are the wall fixing brackets sufficient?

[Mydressinggownismybestfriend]

Ahh! Thanks moving :)

[magicstar1]

I have the Milano Aruba, but wanted to let you know that Best Heating were great to deal with, and the radiators are excellent quality. Everyone loves them when they visit our house.

[Movinghouseatlast]

I think you always have to order valves separately with any radiator.

[UbercornsGoggles]

Haven't read the whole thread but we have a Milano Windsor 3 column radiator in our kitchen. Bought from best heating. It's great, looks fab, works perfectly. Heavy though we fixed ours to the wall, didn't get feet.

We also bought a traditional looking thermostatic valve which goes well with the style.

Have just bought 7 more radiators from best heating for the property we're doing up next door. Great service, delivery etc.

[OC75]

V good. Thanks for that ubercorns. Did you get the trad valves from bestheating too. Sounds like what we would go for. How much are they? Any pics?

[OC75]

Does anyone have any recommendations on what tool to use for calculating BTU/KW output required?

Is the Best Heating radiator output estimations for each radiator reliable?

I used their online tool and provisionally selected their rads to meet the total needed, but have since compared with other calc tools and found there is quite a difference. The best heating calcs are alot lower so I am now nervous that my rads won't be up to the job.

I'd appreciate your thoughts....