Choosing a bathroom radiator or towel warmer
Start by deciding what the heater needs to do. A towel warmer such as the Malmo 8 bar keeps towels warm and takes the chill off the room, while a radiator is the better choice if it is the main source of heat in a larger bathroom. Many bathrooms only have space for one, so it is worth thinking about how the room is used before choosing.
Imperial's heating is designed to sit with its traditional sanitaryware and brassware, and the radiators and valves come in chrome or polished nickel. If your taps and showers are in chrome or polished nickel, choosing the same finish ties the room together.
Wall-mounted or floor-standing radiators
Wall-mounted radiators keep the floor clear, which helps in a small bathroom and makes cleaning easier. A floor-standing design, such as the Lund 1000 x 700 floor radiator, works well where the wall is taken up by tiling, a window or panelling, and suits the freestanding style of a period bathroom.
Before you choose, measure the space and check where the existing pipes come up. Imperial's technical sheet for the Malmo, for example, asks you to allow at least 100mm for the valves, as the quoted dimensions don't include them.
Sizing for heat output
Size matters more than style when it comes to comfort. The heat a bathroom needs depends on its size, windows, outside walls and insulation, and a heating engineer can work this out and compare it with each radiator's published heat output. A bathroom with a large window or tiled floor will usually need more than the size of the room alone suggests.
Are these radiators electric or central heating?
Imperial lists its Lund radiators and Malmo towel warmers as water only, so they connect to your central heating system and warm up when the heating is on. They cannot be run on electricity on their own.
Do the radiators come with valves?
No. Imperial supplies its radiators without valves, so choose a pair to match, such as the traditional Radcliffe radiator valves in the same finish.
Which finishes are available?
The Lund, Malmo and Radcliffe valve ranges on our site come in chrome and polished nickel. Chrome usually takes around a week; polished nickel is made to order and takes around four weeks.
Will a traditional radiator suit my bathroom?
Traditional radiators suit Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s homes especially well. Our traditional bathroom ideas guide shows how to build a period scheme around the bath, basin and brassware.
Can you plan and fit the heating as part of my bathroom?
Yes. Book a free one-to-one consultation and we will look at your pipework, layout and heating needs alongside the rest of the room.
