Heated towel radiator

[lastofthesummer]

My plumber has told me to buy a silver-coloured curved heated towel radiator measuring 500mm wide x 1000mm high. I'm not sure what material the silver-coloured ones are made of, maybe chrome or stainless steel? Can anybody advise what would be the best material, preferably one that won't rust too quickly.

Also, do they come with valves and pipe covers or do they have to be bought separately? My current towel radiator is a yellowy white colour and has pipes that go into the tiled floor. The photos I've seen online seem to show the pipes going into the wall. I'm confused. The plumber's on holiday for the next week and I can't contact him. Thanks.

I don't know the answer but I'm surprised the plumber isn't sourcing the radiator himself. They usually get a discount.

We have towel radiators and added in electric elements so that in summer when the heating isn't on the bathroom radiators are heated anyway for a short time and dry our towels.

We bought them from a company that used to walk you through what you needed ie the valves and yes you can get valves for pipes coming from the wall or up from the floor. Plus the pipe covers, Because of the electric element we also had to have a fused spur outside the bathroom (in the tank cupboard) and it has a built in timer you can program.

I don't know why he recommended curved. Ours are straight and allow us to put towels on them. I suppose it depends what look you are going for. Ours are chrome plated and we have had them at least 8 years, one in the main bathroom and one in the en-suite. Neither show any rust signs.

Most places will happily talk you through it all even if you don't buy from them and you can source them online.

Chromed steel is notorious for going rusty. Stainless is better but more expensive. Chromed brass is best but even more expensive. You can clean and protect chrome and stainless by rubbing it with a coarse cotton cloth moistened with WD40 sprayed onto the rag,

Painted steel is OK.

Rust will be worse if it is near enough to a WC for standing men to splash it with wee.

I agree it is odd that the installer doesn't supply. Is it a well-established reputable local firm? Or an odd job man?

@sixeightfive what bliss that must be - a heated towel rail all the time ❤️

If you prefer you can buy radiators that have a towel rail attachment. I have a vertical anthracite radiator with a chrome towel rail. My experience of chrome towel rails isn't great as they did rust.

If you are buying your own radiator/ towel rail you need to choose straight or angled radiator valves. That determines if the pipe work go straight through the floor or angled through the wall.

https://www.bestheating.com/milano-chrome-towel-rail-for-aruba-vertical-designer-radiators-choice-of-width-150115#377=10877

@CalzoneOnLegs it was because getting out of the shower in summer and trying to dry yourself with a damp towel felt sad it does feel wonderful now, small things, big pleasure.

I realise my towel rail has the brand on it, Geyser so it is from this place and if you go into more information on a product it tells you what valves you need ie pipes in the floor - straight valves. The company is not local to us but was recommended by someone.

https://geyser.co.uk/heated-towel-rails/chrome-central-heating-towel-rails

I do bow to @PigletJohn 's superior knowledge in this matter, mine is still pristine chrome and the shower curtain rail in the bathroom is rusted and requires a lot of cleaning so a direct comparison in a humid bathroom. I don't know if it was considered expensive when we bought it, we bought 2. No one stands to pee in this house all the men sit. Even for a wee. Sitting is better health wise long term.

Stainless Steel will not rust like cheaper chrome.

HI, Most of the heated towel rail radiators are made of steel with either chrome plated, black colour or white colours, there are some stainless steel towel rails but they are more expensive than the steel towel rails, chrome plated are easy to get rust if they are not good quality (there many factors in the manufacture processing) where as black towel radiators are longer last and give you more heat output, Most of the towel rails do not come with the radiator valves or pipe covers however you can always source them online or local plumbing shop, you can try this online store as they are specialised heated towel rails in chrome and black colour and they have wide range of sizes