In actual fact both of these ‘styles’ are extremely contemporary and they are the result of bathroom manufacturers desire to turn the bathroom into a ‘fashion’ area and as a result require regular remodelling.

But more and more homeowners are starting to go ‘freestyle’ in their approach to choosing radiators. They don’t want to be limited by the constraints placed upon them by manufacturers and are starting to ‘mix and match’ and this is the truly contemporary way forward.

So if for example you want to place an ultra modern radiator such as the Reina Pianoro Chrome Radiator starting from £193.01 at Style Radiators in a more traditional setting, blended with suitable tyling and shower sets – why not? Gone are the days when consumers were content to buy complete ‘sets’ from manufacturers based upon the particular years styling.

These days peoples taste is far more eclectic -after all, we all travel far more these days, we all experience different showering and bathing experiences in hotels, villas and holiday homes and increasingly we are bringing our preferences to bear in our own homes.

Think of it as and iTunes playlist of your favourite things but for your home!

In 2008 towel warmers accounted for 26.8% of the total UK radiator marketplace in revenue terms and 13.7% of all the unit sales. This had risen to 27.6% and 13.7% respectively in the following year. According to BSRIA the industry body for radiators in the UK, around 1million products were sold in the UK in 2009 and this was up to 1.04 million in 2010 which are the latest approved figures.

Further growth is expected as homeowners increasingly upgrade existing properties rather than re-locate.

The publication, which regularly runs features on specific product types approached Style Radiators as a leading internet retailer to be part of a showcase on Towel Rails. In the article we presented the virtues of our Diva range of rails pointing out the generous pipe sizing that delivers better heat output, our industry leading product warranties and also the style and design of the range.

The feature, along with many other articles from other leading names can be seen in the March 2011 edition. Just another example of Style Radiators growing reputation with the shapers and influencers in the sector.

Sales have been showing month on month growth at the online retailer and Mr Stanton puts that down to several key factors ” we all know the economy is having a difficult time in the UK, so we have to be realistic about what people can pay our three guiding principles have been competitive prices, quality products – we always offer the longest guarantees in the industry – and great customer service. We are happy to help people with questions and issues whether they buy from us or not I think they are entitled to benefit from our experience, after all its not an everyday purchase when you buy some of our product range.”

The three pronged approach certainly seems to be paying dividends at Style Radiators – why not take a look.

Recent research, carried out on behalf of a subsidiary of BARMA (Boiler and Radiator Manufacturer’s Association) suggests that stainless steel panel and convector radiators are amongst the best way of bringing energy efficient heat generation into established properties.

Radiators when selected appropriately, are well suited to working with for example low water temperatures , a known feature of domestic heat pumps. Additionally radiators are known to have quick response times to temperature adjustment and this in turn minimises energy loss that comes with longer heat-up times.

Radiator technology, as in other areas of domestic heating is evolving all the time, and it is reassuring to know that when you go and purchase your radiator, you can be confident you are doing your bit for the environment as well. It is important that you select your radiator material and styling to best match the heat source installed for your property.

Always consult your installer or manufacturer for further technical advice.

We’ve all heard the horror stories about the ‘cowboy’ installers and the unreliable installers who don’t arrive when they are supposed to but for everyone of these characters there are hundreds of honest genuine installers whose only aim is to give excellent value for money.

So firstly, a couple of do’s and don’ts; don’t do anything to your heating system until you have your installer ready to go. It’s also advisable not to have your installer on site until you have had your product delivered and you have received the goods – your installer won’t thank you for taking up a day of his week with no work to carry out!

Do get an installer (or several) to come and view the job prior to installation. This gives you a chance to talk to them and get a ‘feel’ for them. Do they seem to know what they are talking about? Do you feel confident about them? Are you comfortable to have them in your home?

All of these issues are important, and of course how much do they intend to charge you. If they have been to view the installation and talked things through with you, then your quote will be very close to the price you end up paying and you shouldn’t get any nasty surprise when the bill comes.

A word of caution here, whilst price is clearly important, its not the only factor. You want to get the balance right – if one of your installer quotes is significantly higher you can always challenge the installer, don’t forget he is in a competitive situation and presumably he wants your work (why would he have quoted otherwise) but also beware of always going for the lowest bidder, remember you generally get what you pay for. Try and get a balance  between that ‘comfort’ feeling with your installer and the price you pay. More often than not its worth following your instinct.

A good way of finding a ‘reputable’ installer is to go through an organisation that represents installers and the cIPHE (CharteredInstitute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers) is one such establishement. Visit their site www.ciphe.org.uk for helpful advice and to find an installer in your area.

Follow these guidelines, allow plenty of time for the selection of your installer and to book in the job, make sure your product has arrived before your installer and you should be well on the way to a trouble free and professional installation.

With most of the products available in today’s marketplace designer radiators can offer both stylish visuals and heating performance. As ever, when you are looking into all the factors before selecting and installing a radiator type, you have to do the homework.

And the good news is that it shouldn’t be too difficult. Most online providers will give you the heating output of their products alongide the product picture and they are expressed in both btu’s (british thermal units) and increasingly in kw’s (kilowatts). You don’t have to worry about which measurement you use as long as it is consistent with the heating requirement of the area in question. Once you have established the peformance available you can match this to the heating requirement  for the room or area you are planning, based upon it’s area and size.

You can then decide how to achieve your heat requirement; perhaps a single designer radiator will suffice or maybe you will choose two radiators for a particular roomspace.

Alternatively, and this is increasingly the case in a bathroom or wetroom area, you may be installing underfloor heating (either electric or plumbed in) and you are installing your radiator as a booster and to keep towels warm and dry.

There are even an increasing number of designer radiators that come in double panelled versions that can fulfil all your heating output requirements such as the Reina Neva (Double).

Once again the solution to your problems is available and in the modern era you don’t have to sacrifice looks for functionality. Do your homework and look around. Also, if you need advice give your retailer a call – they are the experts and should be only to willing to offer suitable advice. Style Radiators is just one such site – they give friendly relevant and reliable advice.

So remember if you think you have to choose between performance or style when choosing a radiator – think again – you can have both!

Nothing could be further from the truth! Whilst there are many higher priced products on the market (usually stainless steel for finish and durability) there are literally hundreds of dramatic and stylish radiators available at affordable prices. These products come in as many styles as there are peoples’ taste.

One way of decribing the term Designer Radiators is as a coverall for any radiator that is not a flat white panel on your wall, which is the radiator styling that most people with central heating systems are familiar with.

Visit our site at Style Radiators  and you will see many different types of designer radiators and with different price positions from entry level to premium level, but the choice is vast and the decision yours to make based upon the quality of build, the style you like and how much you want to pay.

Radiators come in a variety of materials (and colours), many are available in metallic finishes – chrome or stainless steel, even aluminium with each of these coming in high polish or lustre type finish. Increasingly they are available with colour choices. Predominantly white, there are an increasing and bewildering choice of bespoke colours – although you may have to wait longer for delivery of these products as they will be made to order.

Traditional style radiators, evocative of a bygone age are widespread. Whether they be Cast Iron in construction or styled in a Victorian manner they are modern in manufacture and give the performance you demand but with character styling –  the choice is yours.

You may favour a more contemporary design style, and here the choice is amazing. Vertical Radiators, Towel Warmers, Horizontal Radiators, Spiral Designs, Pyramid Shaped, even Bench Styled Radiators. The only limit is your imagination and the time it takes to find the style you desire.

So get your thinking cap on and visit a site that has good diversity of range, such as Style Radiators. Don’t be put off by the term Designer Radiators just look for the style and price point that is right for you, check that the heat output matches your requirement and get ready to ransform your home.

What size and ages are living in your household? Is that likely to change over the coming years? Realistically how long will your re-style last. Also, given the duration of the changes it may be worth giving consideration to the functionality and ease of use of your new bathroom, particularly if the mobility of any of the occupants is likely to deteriorate in the foreseeable future.

Remember, practicality does not have to be at the expense of aesthetics and good styling, there are many great products available that can fulfil both requirements.

One of your first considerations is how much space you have to work with. Forget about your existing fixtures and fittings at this stage and calculate the ‘empty room’ area size you have to plan and work with.

However, it is useful to note where your water supplies and particularly soil and drainage systems are, as re-locating these unnecessarily can give rise to unnecessary expense – and most consumers want to concentrate their spend on sleek and stylish appliances rather than moving a soil stack!!

In the current climate of upgrade rather than re-locate, a judicious design and choice of materials can also add significant value to your home should you decide to sell. The accepted wisdom is that next to the kitchen, your bathroom is the most influential room in your house in affecting re-sale values.

After you’ve established your ‘empty room’ dimensions you next have to set your budget for the project, and it pays to be realistic and set parameters before you begin looking for the appliances and systems to make your bathroom dreams come true!

Once you have established these important ground rules you can start to have fun and let your imagination run wild!

There are many sources of ideas for you but I suggest that you start with a little desk research. The internet is a fabulous source of expertise and ideas if you know where to look. There is no shortage of online retailers who can deliver great products at competitive prices. They are usually cheaper than the equivalent showroom prices as they don’t incur the same overheads.

So if you want to see the product and touch it (and why not!) then generally it’s best to follow up the products you like with a showroom visit. Once you are happy with the product then compare their prices with online retailers and get the best deal you can. It can be helpful to include your installer in the process at this planning stage as he will have experience of various retailers and take the ‘risk’ out of things for you. He will also be able to tell you the art of the possible and smooth the process from ideas to installation.

You are also more likely to get him when you need him if he has been with you from the planning stage. Most good installers will welcome this level of involvement.

Decide on the look and feel of your bathroom, which colours and materials you want. Also think about how you are going to achieve the temperature you need to feel warm and comfortable in your new area, after all there is no point in having the bathroom of your dreams only to find it’s too cold to spend any time in during the winter.

There are lots of affordable underfloor heating solutions(both electric and plumbed) available, and also many stylish radiator designs that can be the focal point of your new area rather than the old white panel on the wall that you try and stuff your towels behind!! Both of these product types are widely available over the internet at affordable prices and with excellent service.

Then on to the main course – showering and batheing and here there are as many choices available as there are ideas you can think of, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. There is a variant of the type of style you want at the price to suit you – if you know where to look. This applies also to special needs applications, although specialist knowledge is more important and recommended in this area.

Finally, don’t forget that your budget also has to cover the cost of installation so don’t get too carried away. The choice of installer is vital and it is important that you do your research. Recommendations from friends or family are always best, but not always possible. Always ask for images of previous installations and letters of appreciation.

Talk to the installers who come and quote you, and in my experience it is always better to go with the one you feel most comfortable with and who takes the time to understand what you want and give you confidence in his ability to deliver – even if he is a few pounds more expensive, you will probably save the difference over the course of the project.

So in summary, give yourselves time to think and plan your project. Don’t impose false deadlines such as Christmas and holidays – they usually end in tears. Establish your budget, get a tradesman you feel comfortable with and run your ideas across him to check they are practical. What are you waiting for??

Ideas For your new bathroom

A new bathroom can be a dream come true, in today’s market there are so many choices and alternatives its important to make sure you  have done plenty of research into what you want before you jump in!

Too many people have a tendency to underestimate the considerations that ned to be made when designing a new bathroom and how often different ideas can be competing in terms of space, practicality and budget. Its a good idea when starting out to make a list of all the ideas you have and then prioritise them – that way if you have to make a choice between two areas you have already decided which is most important.

It can be a good idea to start with the end in mind. Rather than focus in too early on individual pieces of furniture, try and get a picture in your mind of how you want your room to look and the type of ambience you want to create.

Another key element is to get an understanding of what plumbing is required to deliver your bathroom in good working order. Good planning and early consultation with your plumber is a good investment as it can save him time and you money.

Do you want sleek ultra modern design with chromes and metals or do you prefer the French Country look. Manufacturers products tend to go in cycles, very much like the fashion industry but if you shop around you can always find the products that will give you the look you desire.

Here are some (by no means all) of the areas you might want to consider:

Heating: even if you want to create a rustic style of bathroom I doubt you would want the draughty and cold climate that goes with it – and there is no need. Traditional styles of radiator are widely available that will complement that type of ambience, whilst with the modernist feel some of today’s designer radiators will not only complement this styling, they can also provide stunning focal points. Just don’t forget to bear in mind that you still require a certain heat output from you radiator no matter how glamorous.

Underfloor heating, electric or plumbed in is a cost effective and wisely available supplementary form of heating.

Flooring: A hardwood floor can look great in a bathroom, but consider the implications if the bath overflows, or just the general day to day wet and steam a bathroom produces. There are bathroom specific carpets that are popular or you may decide to opt for floor tiles.

Lighting: Whilst most bathrooms contain recessed lights, or a combination heat/fan/light system, don’t go past a glorious chandelierThere are so many choices for up lighting, down lighting and side lighting that this is an area you can have great fun with. Don’t forget natural light as well. When planning your bathroom renovation, it may be a good idea to install larger windows for extra light and ventilation.

Walls: Most homeowners opt for wall tiles either floor to ceiling or half way up. If you are after a more dramatic look why not think about some funky wallpaper, just ensure that you don’t use an uncoated paper as it will not last the distance. Wallpaper is also an option if you like a regular change of scenery as it is relatively easy to remove and it won’t cost the earth to replace.

Bath Tub: Do you want a separate bath tub from shower, or do you need to put the shower over the tub? The variety of bath tubs on the market today is fantastic, no matter the style of your bathroom there will be a beautiful bath to suit. Remember all those sunken baths in the 70s, maybe they’ll make a comeback? Whatever bath tub you decide on, do your research and look at all options before making your decision.

Bath Tub & Basin Taps: Where do you start to think about this vital component of your new bathroom?  I think the best place is to decide what you want the taps made from – chrome, brass, aged brass, etc. That will then narrow down your options. Also, just because the first two options you looked at were £500 each, don’t think that all brassware choices are that price.  As always do your research as there is good quality, low price options available. Having said that make sure they are made to a quality that will last the distance.

Toilet: Is the toilet going to be in the bathroom, or does space allow you to install it in a separate room?  The most important aspect of this decision is the plumbing.  Will new plumbing have to be laid?

Electrical Outlets: How many do you need and where do you want them?  What about shaver sockets. Make sure your ideas comply with the necessary regulations – water and electricity is a dangerous mixture! so check what they are and do the right thing.

Storage: Think about what you plan to store in your bathroom. Consider if you want to store all your towels in the bathroom? If your bathroom will only be storing toiletries, then you could consider a large vanity with cupboards and draws. If you are one of the lucky ones with a large bathroom space, then consider built-in cupboard to hide everything away, or even an elegant armoire of you have a vintage style bathroom.

Have fun!