The role of the modern-day radiator is changing. Sure, there is still a place for the pressed steel white panel models that perform effectively and blend into any simple interior, but increasingly homeowners are exploring ways to make their home decors more cohesive, and to make a statement using functional accessories. 

Style and substance

Modern radiators are now being designed to be more than just heat emitters. In addition to providing high performance, they are evolving to become interior design elements, with the latest heating systems using renewable energy sources.

Typically most radiators are only available in standard white, but decorative, high-performance radiators can now be finished in almost any colour to complement a design scheme. They are also available in very low level or vertical options, and therefore can be installed to maximise the space available. 

Similarly, connections can be configured to suit the pipework layouts and the system – and now radiators can be mounted to the floor (rather than the wall), or even serve as room dividers or balustrades for staircases.

Bathroom radiators are evolving too. Now available in ‘double layer’ formats, and in designs offering greater surface area (flat rectangular profiles rather than round tubes), they are adept at improving performance. 

The move from chrome to colour can also see up to 50% improvements in thermal output compared to that of a simple ladder-type towel warmer, offsetting limitations created by the possible introduction of lower water temperatures. 

There are further advances in towel warmers, such as electric immersion heaters for either mixed-mode operation (central heating system in cold months, electric heating in warmer months to warm towels) and fully electric. Controls can now compensate for windows being open and even detect the presence of occupants in a room.

Whatever the choices homeowners make, renovating a space in their homes is often viewed as an investment, and they therefore will look for quality products that provide longevity but also are a style statement they can show off. A cohesive look and feel, in terms of colour, finish, and design is nowadays as important as functionality, although performance remains key. 

For installers, fitting quality products is an essential part of delivering a project that will stay the distance. A high-quality product installed well will avoid the added cost and pressure associated with emergency callouts, and help to retain customer loyalty.

Modern finishes 

The majority of customers who walk into our showroom, be it end-users, architects, interior designers, or installers, come with ideas the will influence what they are looking for in a new radiator or towel rail – such as a colour palette, a set of taps they have already chosen, or a fabric swatch. But few realise the breadth of choice that is on offer when it comes to being able to match their visions with a heating option that not only looks sensational but performs technically too. 

New finishing techniques have changed radiator design in recent years, and now allow manufacturers to offer more options than ever. 

As well as colour matching finishes (with over 2,000 colour coating options for steel radiators, for example) that complement the design of a room flawlessly and create a consistent look, new Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coatings, also known as thin-film coatings, take finish one step further and have exploded onto the towel rail scene, offering metallic tones. 

PVD is a process by which a solid material, such as chrome or bronze, is vaporised in a vacuum and deposited onto the surface of the radiator tubes. These coatings are not simply metal layers, but a process whereby compound materials are deposited atom by atom onto the surface, forming a thin, bonded metal, or metal-ceramic surface, layer that enhances the appearance and durability of the radiator. 

The Zehnder Studio Collection, for example, has been expanded to include a number of PVD-finished towel rails, boasting finishes in brushed black chrome, brushed brass, and brushed bronze, to match and fit into any contemporary kitchen or bathroom design – matching taps, shower heads, and even cupboard handles. 

For both end-users and installers, the benefits of these modern and innovative finishes are numerous. PVD finishes are highly durable and offer an even finish that functions as part of the radiator itself. They do not tarnish, chip, or corrode, just as the original stainless steel would endure, so customers can be reassured that they are investing in a quality product that will stand the test of time.