When it comes to picking the right radiator for your home it can be overwhelming if you have lots of choice. Many of our customers wonder whether to go for a vertical radiator or a horizontal radiator, and orientation is important as it can save you space in the places that need it. Vertical radiators can add an elegant touch to any room, whereas horizontal radiators can be easily fitted under windows. Here is our guide on horizontal vs. vertical radiators to help you decide on which to go for.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Radiators for Different Rooms in Your Home
The big debate is between horizontal vs. vertical radiators when it comes to heating your home efficiently. Both radiator orientations can work well in different rooms in your home, at Stelrad we suggest going for vertical radiators in bathrooms where you want to save floor space and might not have a lot of it. Vertical radiators such as towel rails can also be beneficial in bathrooms, especially if you have young children who enjoy bath time, or you just want to heat up your towel ready for when you get out of the bath. Most of our kitchen rails are the same vertical orientation and fit neatly on the wall.
The Advantages of Vertical Radiator vs. Horizontal
If you are weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of vertical radiators, there are many benefits you will reap by installing one of these in your home. The main one is you will make the most of the wall space and there is a range of styles available. You will be able to customise your interior design plan and have more floor space free. At Stelrad, we also have a huge range of choices when it comes to vertical radiator styles and colours. You can go for column vertical radiators, that provide a classic design alongside an array of colours or choose coloured towel rail radiators that provide a vibrant look for your bathroom.
The only disadvantage of a vertical radiator vs. horizontal radiators as an orientation, is they won’t save wall space and they cannot fit under windows. You should primarily go for a radiator that fits the designer and layout of your home. If you want a radiator that fits neatly under a window, a vertical radiator wouldn’t work. For those who have lots of floor space and prefer plain walls or walls decorated with lots of frames and photos, a horizontal radiator might be more suitable.
The Advantages of Horizontal Radiators
The advantages of horizontal radiators are how easily they fit under windows and behind sofas, they can be easily hidden and still work to heat up a whole room. Some people use horizontal radiators as seats near windows if they are wide enough and you can always place a cushion on top of some specific models – but only do this if it is recommended and it is designed for this purpose. Many homes have dead space under radiators, and this is where horizontal also come to save the day.
Another benefit of horizontal radiators is how easy they are to install, you won’t need to lift them up as you do with a vertical radiator. There will be less disruption when installing a horizontal radiator and it will be a fast option to have installed and connected with your central heating system. With horizontal radiators, you with have the option of double or single radiators. Our P+ radiators (type 21) and K2 radiators (type 22) are ideal for heating large rooms. So, when considering horizontal vs. vertical radiators, think about the room size.
Different Styles of Vertical Radiators vs. Horizontal Radiators
No matter whether you go for horizontal or vertical radiators at Stelrad, we have a range of designer radiators and other styles suitable for all over your house. If you are unsure of whether to go for a vertical or horizontal radiator for a certain room, you can use our Stelrad by room page to help you decide. Whether you want to add a vintage feel to your home or something more modern, we have both elegant radiators and old-fashioned radiators. You will find both orientations in these styles.
Maintaining Horizontal vs. Vertical Radiators
When it comes to maintaining your radiator, there are some differences when it comes down to horizontal vs. vertical radiators. Horizontal radiators will be closer to the floor meaning they might pick up more dusk, whereas vertical radiators sit on the floor, meaning they probably are less likely to collect dust. Due to vertical radiators being higher up, they are less likely to get scratches and become damaged. If you have small children who often run around, a vertical radiator might be a more appropriate choice for your home.
With any radiator you order from us at Stelrad, you will need to bleed it at least once a year to flush out any trapped air or clogged up water. Both horizontal and vertical radiators are simple to bleed, you can follow our tips on how to bleed a radiator blog and also find some reasons for why is my radiator cold at the bottom? On our blog. Vertical radiators are more likely to go cold at the top, due to the orientation and you will need to make sure you let any air out of a radiator with this problem as it will need to work harder to warm up, resulting in high energy bills for your home. Radiator maintenance is important no matter what radiator you go for!
What Will You Go For: Vertical Radiators vs. Horizontal Radiators?
It will be your decision to go for a vertical or horizontal radiator in your home, or a combination of both! At Stelrad, we believe different radiators fit different rooms so you don’t need to think about vertical radiators vs. horizontal radiators, you can get both in some cases. We hope you find the best radiators to suit your home decor, style, layout, and furniture.
