Everything you need to know about towel vs vertical radiators Bathshack

When it comes to bathroom heating there’s a lot more choice nowadays for customers, with aesthetics also playing a much bigger role in what they pick for their interiors. With that in mind, we’ve decided to focus on two popular types of heating products which your customers might need some advice on – towel rails and vertical radiators.

It’s always good if you can concisely explain the key benefits of the products you’re installing, so read to the end of the blog to discover all you need to know about towel vs vertical radiators.

Overview of towel rails and radiators

The Lazzarini Silea Straight Heated Towel Rail in Brushed Brass.

With heated towel rails being specifically designed to warm towels, it’s important to note that their primary function is not to heat rooms. However, they do warm up the immediate surrounding space, which is more noticeable in smaller bathrooms and can therefore also double as a heat source. Unless your customers have a very compact interior, however, it’s probably best to install a radiator in the room in addition to any towel rails they might choose.

A key advantage of towel rails for the design-conscious is the fact that they’re often more visually appealing than radiators and have a sleeker design. They look good in a room and can add a touch of luxury, so are a popular choice when it comes to aesthetics.

However, when it comes to cost, you may pay more for a designer towel rail than a vertical radiator which, when it comes to heating, is obviously designed to heat your room effectively where a towel rail is not. Both towel rails and vertical radiators have a more slimline design which makes them ideal for fitting into narrow spaces – particularly useful if you’re working with a smaller interior.

Key benefits of heated towel rails include:

Designer appeal: Heated towel rails tend to have an elegant and stylish aesthetic which will add a luxury look to rooms.
Drying and warming towels: Customers who want to enjoy warm, fluffy towels after their shower or bath will appreciate the heated towel rail for this.
Energy-efficient: Heated towel rails can be dual-fuel or electric-only, with the electric-only option being much more energy-efficient, as it only uses the electric required for the towel rail when it’s in use and doesn’t need the whole heating system to be fired up.

Heated towel rails like the Lauda Heated Towel Rail in Anthracite are very energy-efficient.

Reducing humidity: Installing heated towel rails in bathrooms will help keep humidity at bay and can be turned on for short periods of time to heat towels and air the room.
Dual-fuel option: Your customers can choose between an electric-only heated towel rail or one which operates off their central heating system, which gives added flexibility.

Drawbacks of heated towel rails:

Can be more expensive to buy and install: This depends on the type of heated towel rail your customer chooses. For example, a dual-fuel or electric towel rail might cost more as it won’t just be plumbed straight into their existing home heating system.
Not specifically designed to heat rooms: Heated towel rails don’t tend to make an ideal primary source of heat in a room, unless it’s very small, so a radiator would be required as well if they want reliable heat.

Key benefits of radiators include:

Reliable heat source: Specifically designed to heat rooms, radiators are a very effective heat source.
Generally cheaper to buy: Radiators can cost less to purchase and install than heated towel rails as they’re simply plumbed into the existing heating system.
Very efficient: You can use a timer or thermostat to regulate room temperature.
Low-maintenance: Once installed, radiators don’t generally need much attention.
Can be accessorised to dry and warm towels: You can install a towel ring onto the wall beside your vertical radiator to dry and warm towels at the same time and/or sometimes attach these to the radiator itself.

The Peretti Aluminium Radiator in Matt Black with added towel rings.

Drawbacks of vertical radiators:

Take longer to heat up: As they rely on the main central heating system, radiators do take longer to warm up but once warm, are more reliable with heat output.
Design: Radiators may not always be as aesthetically appealing as towel rails, though this is constantly changing, with many stylish vertical radiators available.

Things your customers should consider before purchasing products:

What is the desired primary function for the product? Is it for heating the room, heating towels only, or both of these things?
What size is the room they want to install their towel rail or vertical radiator in and what size is the specific space within that room which they have in mind?
What are their requirements regarding aesthetics?
Do they want electric-operated heating or prefer something which works off their home central heating system?

Heated towel rails and vertical radiators at Tradeshack

Tradeshack has a wide range of vertical radiators for great-value prices.

At Tradeshack we offer our trade customers great-value prices across our range of heated towel rails and vertical radiators – and we’re happy to advise on any of these, as required. With a variety of styles and finishes available, your customers can choose from elegant brushed brass and modern matt black heated towel rails and radiators, as well as polished chrome, anthracite minimalist white and more.

We also supply various accessories, such as towel rings, bars and rails, which can be attached onto radiators or the wall beside one, so your customers can also warm their towels while heating the room.

You can view our full range of heating over on the Tradeshack website and just get in touch if you need any assistance.

Contact Tradeshack for all your trade bathroom needs. Alternatively, email our team at info@bathshack.com or give us a call on (028) 9077 0188.