Traditional Heated Towel Rails – A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
Stepping out of a warm shower into a freezing bathroom, especially during winter, is something all of us want to avoid. But fear not; here at Maybrays, we deliver the perfect bathroom heating solution—traditional towel rails.
No matter if you have a traditional or a contemporary bathroom, they work perfectly for all bathroom décor, adding a touch of elegance with their traditional allure and space-saving design! They beautifully combine classic aesthetics with modern technology, providing an excellent heating solution for cold days.
If you want to buy a traditional heated towel rail for your bathroom, you’re in the right place. Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about these towel rails so you can make the best decision. Let’s begin with the basics.
Why Is Bathroom Heating Important?
Bathroom heating plays a crucial role for several reasons:
- Health: Bathrooms tend to be damp and humid, creating an ideal environment for mould and mildew to thrive. Maintaining a warm temperature inside your bathroom can reduce these issues, contributing to better air quality and a healthier environment.
- Energy Efficiency: A heated bathroom can act as an insulating buffer, reducing the overall heat loss in your home. This can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower heating costs.
- Protection: Keeping your bathroom warm can prevent the pipes from freezing, which damages plumbing systems and leads to expensive repairs.
- Convenience: A warm bathroom makes morning routines more convenient and enjoyable, allowing you to leave the shower or bath without feeling chilled. It also enhances nighttime bathroom use, making it more comfortable for you when you’re half asleep.
What Is A Traditional Heated Towel Rail?
Traditional heated towel rails provide a space-saving bathroom heating solution. They feature heated towel rails that heat your bathroom and keep your towels warm during those chilly winter days.
At Maybrays, our traditional towel rails are available in various shapes and sizes and can be floor or wall-mounted. Both the models may come with Italian column radiator inserts, adding elegance and creating a two-in-one heating solution.
While traditional towel rails may have a period look, they feature modern technology, offering superb BTU (British Thermal Unit) output to create a warm, inviting bathroom atmosphere and provide warm, dry towels throughout the year.
Traditional Towel Rail Vs Standard Radiator
A traditional heated towel rail is ideal for damp and humid settings like a bathroom or a sauna, where standard radiators often face operational difficulties. Unlike regular radiators, towel rails heat up the room and keep towels warm and dry, providing two-in-one use. Moreover, they require less wall space than standard radiators, making them perfect for bathroom settings.
What Makes Traditional Heated Towel Rails Superior To Modern Towel Rails
Traditional towel rails offer several features that modern rails often lack. First, they boast timeless Victorian and Edwardian designs that add a unique touch of elegance and sophistication to any bathroom, a feature not commonly found in the minimalist styles of modern rails. Constructed from high-quality materials like brass, traditional towel rails are known for their durability and luxurious feel, often outlasting the more contemporary materials used in modern designs.
Furthermore, traditional towel rails have superior heat retention capabilities. They continue to emit warmth even after the central heating is turned off, providing longer-lasting heat than modern towel rails that cool down quickly. This makes them stylish and a practical choice for maintaining a warm and inviting bathroom environment.
Benefits Of Traditional Heated Towel Rails
1. Classic Design
Traditional heated towel rails feature a timeless, classic design that adds luxury and class to any bathroom setup. They are often made from high-quality materials, which gives them a sturdy and durable construction.
2. Enhanced Functionality
These heated towel rails keep towels warm and dry and provide gentle heat to your bathroom, helping you keep the space cosy and comfortable even during the colder months.
3. Easy Installation
Traditional towel rails are relatively easy to install and can be fitted to any existing plumbing system without additional wiring or electrical work.
4. Low Maintenance
Made from high-quality materials, traditional towel rails require minimal maintenance and are built to last for many years.
5. Versatility
Traditional heated towel rails come in various sizes and styles, making them adaptable to any bathroom’s décor.
Now that we know the multiple benefits of traditional towel rails, let’s look at how much you have to pay for them and their running cost.
Cost Of Traditional Towel Rails
The cost of a traditional heated towel rail varies depending on size, design, and material. Here at Maybrays, our towel rails typically start at £186.00. If you’re not confident in your DIY skills, hiring a professional plumber to install the towel rail will be added to the overall cost.
Running Cost For Traditional Heated Towel Rails
The cost to run these towel rails depends on the appliance’s size and wattage, the electricity cost in your area and usage frequency. Compared to standard column radiators, they typically have low-wattage heating elements that consume relatively little energy. While they are not expensive to run, using them efficiently by switching them off when not needed can help you reduce your overall energy consumption and utility bills.
Things To Consider When Buying A Traditional Heated Towel Rail
1. Central Heating Or Heated Element?
Decide if you want to use a heated element or connect the towel rail to the central heating system. Centrally heated rails can only be used when the central heating is on, usually in winter. You would need to turn on the entire system to warm towels in summer. Going for dual fuel technology is always smart, as it allows you to heat the towel rail with electricity in warmer months and central heating in winter.
2. Size And Heat Output
Consider the usage and required heat output for your bathroom. A family bathroom may need a larger towel rail, while a small ensuite may require a smaller one. Measure the heat output in BTU for your bathroom to ensure your chosen model can keep up with your heating demand.
3. Installation Location
Ideally, the towel rail should be placed on the coldest wall of your bathroom, usually an outside wall with a window. Measure the available wall space size to choose a model that fits well and ensures efficient heat distribution.
4. Colour/Finish
Traditional heated towel rails come in various colours and finishes, including nickel, chrome, brushed brass, and bronze. Choose a style that goes with your bathroom’s décor to create a put-together look.
5. Floor Standing Or Wall Mounted?
Choose a floor-standing or wall-mounted model depending on the available space inside your bathroom. Wall-mounted models are ideal for smaller bathrooms, while floor-stand ones are best for bathrooms without free wall space. For wall mounted models, ensure the fixings are appropriate for the wall and that it can bear the load.
6. Projection
Consider how much space the towel rail would occupy i to ensure you choose a model that won’t obstruct anything in the room. Towels on the radiator will add to the projection, so consider this as well.
By considering the above factors when buying a traditional heated towel rail, you can ensure you choose the perfect fit for your bathroom’s heating needs.
If you are wondering how to measure your bathroom’s BTU, don’t worry! We are here to help you understand what it is and how to measure it.
What Is A BTU Rating?
The heat a radiator can produce is measured by its BTU rating. This is an important factor to consider when buying a radiator for your bathroom. The larger the bathroom, the higher the BTU rating you should choose to adequately cover the entire space.
Calculating BTU For Your Bathroom
You’ll need measurements to calculate your bathroom’s BTU and determine the size of the traditional heated towel rail it needs. Here’s how you can gather the necessary information and calculate the BTU requirement:
- Measure your bathroom’s width, height and length in metres.
- Multiply the width, height and length measurements together to obtain the volume of the room.
- Measure the area of the window by multiplying its height by width.
- Multiply the resulting window area with the total volume of the room.
The final result you get is the BTU required for your bathroom. Ensure the heat output of the towel rail you choose matches the BTU to ensure efficient heating.
We have included instructions below for those who want to complete the installation yourself.
How To Install A Traditional Heated Towel Rail
Installing a traditional heated towel rail is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed with basic plumbing and DIY skills. Here are the general steps you’ll need to follow:
- Choose Your Location: Decide where to install your towel rail. Ensure your chosen spot has enough space for the radiator without interfering with other bathroom fixtures.
- Turn Off The Water Supply: Turn off the bathroom’s water supply and drain all pipes to prevent leaks or damage.
- Install The Brackets: Position the brackets for the towel rail on the wall and secure them with screws, ensuring they are level and properly aligned.
- Connect The Valves: Use the provided fittings to attach the radiator valves to the towel rail, ensuring the correct orientation for water flow control.
- Connect The Pipes: Connect the pipework to the towel rail and valves using compression fittings, ensuring they are tight enough to prevent leaks.
- Fill and Test: Turn on the bathroom water supply, fill the system with water, check for leaks and check if the towel rails are heating up properly.
- Finishing Touches: Seal gaps around the brackets or paint any exposed pipework to complete the installation.
Conclusion
Traditional heated towel rails combine traditional design with modern functionality, providing warmth and style to any bathroom. Considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can choose the perfect towel rail to meet your needs and enhance your bathroom’s comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Whether renovating a period home or adding a unique touch to a contemporary bathroom, a traditional towel rail is a worthwhile investment.
Get The Best Traditional Towel Rails From Maybrays
Here at Maybrays, we are your trusted source for the best selection of traditional heated towel rails in the UK. Our towel rails are hand-made in the UK with brass tubes. Some of them even come with an Italian column radiator attached for efficient bathroom heating.
Whether you are looking for a wet, electric, or dual-fuel option, we have it all. Visit us today for elegant and luxurious heated towel rails.
