Bench radiators

[didireallysaythat]

Has anyone put a bench radiator in and regretted it ? It looks like a good solution to the usual hallway problem but I haven't yet looked at the BTU for them (I'm not sure how you work out what you need for hallway, as it's an open space but then again you don't want it to be as warm as the rest of the house).

The ones I've see are pricey - is there a secret mn source ?

These are the things

www.diy.com/nav/rooms/radiators/column-radiators/4_column/Acova-Column-Bench-Radiator-White-9271416?noCookies=false
www.warmrooms.co.uk/acatalog/Bench_Radiators.html

That one has a nominal heat output of 539Watts (actual will be lower) which would be adequate for a small cloakroom but not enough for a hall.

Seems like an expensive solution that will probably be inadequate in actually heating your hall.
There is a calculator for estimating the size of radiator needed here
I'd stick with a regular radiator either slimline if you wish to maximise space or something more attractive if you are worried about appearances.

Some low level radiators here

Thanks for your replies - I feared they weren't going to be very effective. However we have the usual problem that the hallway is bags, coats, shoes, dead mice (thanks cat) are dumped in a pile by the current radiator which takes up most of the wall. Somewhere to sit to put wellies would be nice, but I can see I'm going to end up putting hooks above the radiator which will probably reduce the heat output (and lip balms in coat pockets will melt). I guess we could just build a radiator cover come bench over a low level radiator for a lot less money.

wonky when you say more attractive, did you have something in mind ? Aren't all radiators ugly ?

It depends on your taste but not all radiators are white steel
Loads of different ones available
try here
or Reproduction Cast iron
Or more modern
cheap designer radiators
Very different honeycomb one
finned one
wavy one
one with a mirror
very different

you will have much more fun dusting and cleaning fancy rads, getting the cobwebs out, and lots of fun repainting them. This added amusement probably compensates for the extra cost.

PJ I'm going to guess you don't have a rainbow coloured mirrored radiator in your hallway.

You can paint radiators ? Imagine the fun I've been missing out on all these years. I like them to come in white. Matches my unimaginative white walls, white ceiling and white woodwork.

As for cobwebs, I like to think they soften the edges of harsh fittings. They are cheaper to replace than soft furnishings.

I wouldn't have feature radiators throughout but an interesting one in an appropriate place as an actual feature wouldn't be much work and sometimes it's nice to move on from bog standard.
After all a little different makes life interesting.

wonky yes I agree - good in small amounts. A vertical one may work better in the space. I'll do the calculation and see how narrow we could get away with. Shame.... I spent most of my schooldays sitting on those big radiators....

We have one a bit like a bigger version of this which isn't my style but came with the house. It's good for pumping out heat and sitting on whilst I watch DS in the bath.
I will be getting rid of it when we redo the bathroom as its a bit bulky but I think I need to design a new snuggly place to replace it.

We've got a radiator from these guys: www.21stcenturyradiators.com/pd_9_column_cast_iron_radiators_traditional_radiators.cfm, though not a bench one. They're a lot chunkier than the one you pictured, and you'd have to add a seat over the top. On the other hand, a nine-section radiator would be 2/3 the length and belt out twice the heat of the one you linked, and for quite a lot less money. I can testify that they are impressively efficient.

Notwithstanding the cobwebs, I think it's a pretty sensible idea. I firmly believe that the smaller a space, the stricter you have to be about things being both useful and beautiful. There's only so much you can do to control the coats and shoes in a family hallway, but if you can eliminate one eyesore (and whatever anybody thinks about their practicalities, standard radiators are a f**king eyesore), then you've improved your environment. If you can afford it, do it!