Radiator Help! Modern to cast iron!

Isabellebryony

Hello!

Have just moved into our Victorian terrace and undertaking some works to make the house more traditional. Am looking to replace one of our downstairs radiators with a traditional cast iron radiator. I am just wondering how easy this process is?

I have found some resorted ones but these would be shorter in length, and don’t know if fitting them and muddling with the pipes is a pain? Also what do it do it terms of room heating and the boiler. We are fitting a log burner so not too concerned that the radiator will be smaller and maybe not give off so much heat, but I don’t want to upset the boiler (which is also still confusing me at the moment!)

Any advice would be appreciated!

Any advice on Victorian homes that also doesn’t relate to radiators is welcome too :’) Thanks so much!

nofoollikeold

1. They are much heavier, and will almost certainly need floor standing mounts as well as fastening to walls.
2. The pipework will need to be altered, both for the distance of the valves apart and for the distance from the valves to the wall behind. It's not usually a difficult job for a plumber, but for the best look needs access to under the floor. If that's not possible, then there will be some angled pipework above the floor. Can be done neatly and painted to be pretty unobtrusive.
3. Cast iron radiators are made up of sections bolted together. If you are buying restored radiators make sure they have been properly put back together and tested for water tightness. If you wait until they are installed you leave yourself open to arguments as to who's fault any leaks are.
4. Modern radiator valves look a bit odd on cast iron radiators. You can get "retro" ones, but they tend to be very expensive.
5. The radiators are very difficult to paint, and you might want to consider painting the before installation, or getting the restorers to paint them to you specification.

rach_k

It isn't what you asked at all (sorry) but if you're trying to take the house back to its Victorian roots, is a log burner the best route? As far as I know, Victorian houses mostly had open fireplaces. If you're not bothered about that, why are you bothered about a radiator?

Grenage

I would probably look at a modern column radiator, rather than a cast-iron refurb.

Tom99

Grenage wrote: »

I would probably look at a modern column radiator, rather than a cast-iron refurb.

2nd that, I have used Acova column rads twice now. Screwfix or shop around and you may find them cheaper.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/acova-3-column-horizontal-radiator-600-x-1226mm-white/46334

Isabellebryony

nofoollikeold wrote: »

1. They are much heavier, and will almost certainly need floor standing mounts as well as fastening to walls.
2. The pipework will need to be altered, both for the distance of the valves apart and for the distance from the valves to the wall behind. It's not usually a difficult job for a plumber, but for the best look needs access to under the floor. If that's not possible, then there will be some angled pipework above the floor. Can be done neatly and painted to be pretty unobtrusive.
3. Cast iron radiators are made up of sections bolted together. If you are buying restored radiators make sure they have been properly put back together and tested for water tightness. If you wait until they are installed you leave yourself open to arguments as to who's fault any leaks are.
4. Modern radiator valves look a bit odd on cast iron radiators. You can get "retro" ones, but they tend to be very expensive.
5. The radiators are very difficult to paint, and you might want to consider painting the before installation, or getting the restorers to paint them to you specification.

Hello, thanks for all the info. Yes I found online is said and have found relevant floor and wall supports. Was also able to find some authentic looking valves to attach as like you said I don’t think they will look great!
I have found a company that restores old radiators, and like you say they do test them for water tightness and flush them out etc. Looked at doing restoration on one myself and gave up when I realised I would need a sandblaster!

Thanks for the info on the plumbing. We have easy to access floorboards so getting to the pipes is no problem. Hopefully all will go to plan! Thanks again

Isabellebryony

rach_k wrote: »

It isn't what you asked at all (sorry) but if you're trying to take the house back to its Victorian roots, is a log burner the best route? As far as I know, Victorian houses mostly had open fireplaces. If you're not bothered about that, why are you bothered about a radiator?

No that’s fine. No I do agree. We found some of the original fireplaces in the celler so are looking to restore a couple, we are just being a little selfish as want a log burner so are putting one in one of the fireplaces. The radiators just stand out so much and look so ugly at the moment!

Doozergirl

Tom99 wrote: »

2nd that, I have used Acova column rads twice now. Screwfix or shop around and you may find them cheaper.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/acova-3-column-horizontal-radiator-600-x-1226mm-white/46334

These are what we use for something a little more attractive with a nice nod to the past. They're far more efficient so you end up with a warmer house.

They're cheaper from Mr Central Heating.

cbrown372

I was brought up with a coal fired central heating system with what I call "school" radiators, nothing nicer than sitting on them in the winter!


Can't help though, just brought back good memories.