B&Q or Hombase Radiators. Any good?

lobster123

Hi,

I'm finally getting round to some DIY. I need a new radiator for my hall and will get it fitted before the plasterer arrives to skim the walls. However, I'm unsure where to buy from as I've heard mixed reviews about B&Q and Homebase. However, their prices seem quite reasonable.

Does anyone have any experience from buying from the above or other recommendations please? I'm looking for a "designer" radiator but nothing too expensive if I can help it

Also, BTU's??? How on earth do I work out the size of radiator required for a hall? 2 storeys and winding staircase. Not a huge area.....

Many thanks in advance

greyteam1959

Don't know about the quality of the 'designer' radiators but......
would you not be better leaving the radiator off the wall until after the plaster has skimmed it ??

ic

Don't you want the wall to be plastered behind the rad?

Look at Screwfix and Toolstation.

Technical_Dave

I've replaced a few of my Rads with Wickes ones. Seem to be good quality and fairly well made. Not used B&Q or Homebase ones so can't comment on those.

lobster123

mervyn11 wrote: »

Don't know about the quality of the 'designer' radiators but......
would you not be better leaving the radiator off the wall until after the plaster has skimmed it ??

You're right and also IC. I really should plaster first and then sort out the radiator afterwards.

I'll also check out Wickes as suggested.

Many thanks.........

Mayflower10cat

Bought a radiator from Homebase for our downstairs loo - trendy looking chrome towel rail. Plumber unpacked it, examined it closely and said - 'not wanting to be rude, but this is really poor quality and there's even scratches in the plating and marks along the bottom rail which must have happened in the factory...' He was right. We took it back for a refund and he bought us a similar, far studier model from Screwfix which was roughly the same price as the original one. Lesson learned.

Taadaa

We have a towel rail from Screwfix in our downstairs shower room and its got quite a few rust marks on it. Stick to Wickes.

retepetsir

In December we replaced a small radiator in our master bedroom with a much larger one.

After hunting round Wickes, Toolstation, etc I was then recommended Mr Central Heating. Couldn't believe the prices and the compact radiator we chose had a 10 year guarantee too. Use Google to find their website, price is very reasonable with delivery

BuntyB

Hi, we have used B n Q radiators to replace old ones we had. They are fine, as hot as the couple of stelrads we also have. My only mention would be that compared to the more expensive stelrads ones I would say that they are not quite as white, hardly noticeable but thought it worth mentioning. Otherwise they are fine

ben501

I've bought (Kudox) radiators from B&Q and Screwfix before. Never had any problems though some on these forums avoid them.

Google BTU calulator. I used a few. Some ask for more details on the location. All seem to give a different result. I just took an average.

I found a Wickes PDF page which has a size guide half way down.