To think these radiators are ugly

[whollyboloney]

We need to replace some old radiators and I'm getting quotes from heating engineers. By default they're all expecting to install what they call "standard modern radiators" that look like this. I realise I can have whatever radiators I want, but before I challenge the "standard" I just wanted to check whether other people agree with me that they're ugly or whether I'm just being unreasonably precious.

I think they are ok and good for drying stuff on

We'll, they're not pretty. But they're not ugly either. They're just radiators. I've seen worse.

They are standard and pretty ugly. You can buy nicer but they are much more expensive.

They're just radiators, i funny think they're meant to be pretty, we've got old reclaimed ones, but because we have an old property, they'd look odd in a more modern home.

Except for those very old ornate ones you sometimes see I'm not sure I've ever noticed a radiator in someone else's house. I definitely wouldn't spend more for a different style, but it's really about you and what you want.

Have you considered under the floor heating? (Not electric) It’s pricey but if you know a good plumber.

They’re radiators

Unless you live in a period home or a super modern home, anything else would look out of place or date quickly IMO.

We have these which I think are much nicer. They really pump out the heat too.
www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/450h-x-1180w-3-column-horizontal-white-radiator

Look fine to me. Not fancy but functional and tidy>

They are perfectly normal radiators. I don't think people really spend a great deal of time looking at their radiators. By all means get more expensive ones but they probably won't heat your home any better.

cloudtree - yes, those are more attractive.

We have similar to the ones cloudtree linked too, in graphite not white (cos we do have a period home and the existing ones looked daft). They get lovely and hot and are nicer to look at.

Well they are the standard, inoffensive, designed to not particularly stand out, and to do the job. If you were to contact a supplier and ask them what is the most commonly installed style of radiator, that's the one!

Wholly they do get much warmer too - more surface area to radiate the heat from.

You are being pretty precious. If you tell the engineer you want radiators, they'll (reasonably) assume you want normal ones. If you want something different then tell them, then they won't need to assume anything. Just make sure you're clear with them before they quote, they're not going to be impressed if you waste their time.

We have one like this in our hallway: black radiator with mirror although ours has the mirror to one side and was about double the price some years ago when non-standard radiators were harder to come by (I think we imported it from Hungary). It also has built in coat hooks.

Everywhere else in the house we have standard double white ones and pretty bog-standard (geddit?) chrome towel-rail style ones in the bathroom, ensuite and cloak. I have to admit that whilst I admire the special one every day, I don't even notice the standard ones, that may, of course, be because I had a complete inspiration bypass and painted every wall white!

Ive got these ones, I neither like or dislike them, they’re just radiators.
The flat top bit is great for putting your cup of tea on top off.

Just get a quote for fitting and send them a link to the radiators you will be supplying.

We have the ones I linked to (those exact ones from Mr Central Heating) in 5 rooms. We have the ones you linked to in two rooms and we have the older style solid ones in the other rooms. The ones I linked to are massively more efficient since they have a significant amount of surface area.

Yes OP they are ugly as f*ck. They are the ones we have at home and they depress me. My friend threw away her beautiful victorian ones and replaced them with these "standard" ones - they make any room look cheap IMO. Why should standard be without aesthetic value??

Pretty much all radiators look like that. They are ugly but it’s preferable to being cold. You can buy radiator covers if they offend your eyes that much.

Ive got these ones, I neither like or dislike them, they’re just radiators.
The flat top bit is great for putting your cup of tea on top off.

Exactly this!

I actually hate the ones CloudTree linked to, because they remind me of the ones we had at school.

Everyone has different needs though, so just tell them that you'll source your own and only require fitting :)

They aren't particularly attractive and I wouldn't choose them for a house I was planning to spend my life in, for a shorter term one it wouldn't matter, they are also a pain if you spill something in the top.

Ours are older and don't have the grill type thing on the top and I prefer those.

We replaced one that was ideal for drying things on in the kitchen, for a tall one in order to gain more wallspace, but that is hideous too, and I miss the convenience of being able to dry tins and canisters on it, as well as dusters and stuff, but I can use it to hang a dress on to dry, shame I don't often wear dresses. This sort of thing soak.com/en-gb/radiators/vertical-column-radiators-/white-finish/1800x380mm-white-double-panel-vertical-colosseum-traditional-radiator/2001828.html#gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8ZjZwPX73AIVbr7tCh1vLQoZEAQYAyABEgJdavD_BwE&start=2

They are pretty normal rads. Not exactly exciting but functional and neutral.

If you can afford something more designer-y then you won’t regret it though. We have bisque cast iron ones and they are really lovely and a nice feature in our Victorian terrace.

I love these, but they'd look out of place in my house

https://www.construction.co.uk/c/590422/woworads

I’ve got these, actually really dislike them.
Plus they’re closer to the wall so I can’t hang any washing on them —classy—