What is a traditional radiator?

Traditional Radiators are most often cast-iron radiators.  Lasting for as long as radiators have been in existence, cast iron radiators have become a symbol of reliable, cost effective, and stylish furniture pieces in our homes. Cast iron radiators have the ability to compliment any room, from homes looking to implement a vintage look, to the more modern houses in need of stand out, eye catching furniture. These radiators also boast brilliant efficiency and heat output, helping you to heat your home for less, making the cast iron radiator a more environmentally friendly option.

Traditional cast iron radiators are traditionally made from iron which can take a while to heat up, but once fully hated the heat can last hours after being turned off. However, some modern versions of the cast iron radiator are made from stainless steel. This means they are able to heat up faster, whilst maintaining the same design, but they don’t keep heat for as long as iron radiators.

What Is a Modern Radiator?

Modern radiators, often referred to as designer radiators, are able to deliver impressive heat outputs with a modern design twist. These modern and stylish twists can help your radiator be a standout piece of furniture within your home, office or restaurants. Modern radiators come with a huge selection of colours, sizes and finishes, with a range of hanging orientations. This means that there is a much larger variety of radiators to choose from, so you can pick the best option for your home. For example, if your home is too small for a horizontal radiator, you can choose a vertical radiator to fit perfectly in your home. Alternatively, if you don’t have space for pieces like mirrors, you can choose a mirrored radiator which will allow you to have the essential radiator to heat your home up, as well as a much-needed mirror to give you a stylish and space saving radiator. Modern radiators mainly come in stainless steel, whereas traditional radiators are mostly made from iron.

Which One Is More Efficient?

There is a difference in terms of efficiency between traditional and modern radiators. The amount of heat emitted from any radiator is dependent on the btu output, which is affected by the radiator material. Modern radiators are made to be more energy efficient, from how long they take to heat up, how much heat they retain, and how long they need to stay on before your home is adequately heated. More traditional radiators do take a while longer to heat your home, meaning they use more energy, but they also stay warmer for longer. This means you will need turn your heating on in advance, to heat your home up, potentially resulting in your home being cold while you wait. Traditional cast-iron radiators on the other hand, once heated up the heat can last for hours after being turned off. Therefore, modern radiators are more efficient in terms of energy efficiency and fitting into your home with hundreds of styles to choose from. Traditional radiators are not energy efficient, but may hold heat for longer therefore heating your home for longer.

Difference Between Traditional & Modern Radiators

Build Quality

The first difference between traditional and modern radiators, is build quality. The heat output of traditional cast-iron radiators is more powerful, meaning the room will stay warmer for longer, compared to steel radiators. However, you have more control over steel radiators, and they are more energy effective, also making them more cost effective. Steel radiators heat up faster, but also cool down quicker making it easier to make your home the desired temperature. Cast iron radiators can make the home too hot as they hold heat for longer.

Size

Another difference between these radiators, are the availability in sizes, colour, and styles. The more traditional radiators do not offer as much choice when it comes to the variety. Modern radiators come in an endless number of colours, styles and sizes. This makes them suited to any home, whereas the traditional style radiator will be more suited towards traditional-style homes, where they can add character to your room.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is another key difference between modern and traditional radiators. The modern radiator is made to be more efficient than the traditional radiators as they heat up and cool down faster, which helps to keep energy bills lower than if you used a traditional radiator. However, traditional radiators heat up slower, but can keep heat longer than steel radiators.

Cost

Cast iron radiators are cheaper to acquire than steel radiators, so your costs will be lower in the long term with a modern radiator, but the traditional radiator is cheaper in the short term.

Additional functions

Modern radiators come in a variety of designs meaning they can be multifunctional. From mirror radiators to stylish bench radiators, you can get a functional, stylish piece of furniture which can also save space in your room. Traditional radiators on the other hand, come in more basic, limited styles.

Conclusion

The differences between the modern radiator and the traditional radiator are in the style and design of both radiators. One is made for the more modern, stylish, and contemporary home, with more options to choose from. Traditional radiators are designed for homes with a more traditional character. The second difference between the two being the initial cost of the two, with modern radiators being more expensive to purchase initially, but being cheaper to run over the long run. However, each radiator should be used according to its surroundings and interior style you are going for in your home. If you are looking for a stylish, eye-catching piece furniture, then the modern designer radiator is for you. If you would like a more classic and timeless radiator, then the traditional column radiators are for you. If you are looking for a radiator to be more efficient in the long term, you will find modern radiators are ideal but if you are looking for a more affordable radiator, the traditional radiator is cheaper initially, but more expensive to run long term.