Which water heated towel rail is better: learning to choose the right one
A heated towel rail helps quickly get rid of excess moisture in the bathroom and dry wet items. New models of “dryers” not only cope well with the shortcomings of the microclimate, but also decorate the interior.However, the attractiveness of the design simply must be combined with functionality, don’t you agree?
We are happy to share useful information on how to choose the best equipment for arranging a bathroom with you. This article presents information collected during the actual preparation for purchasing the device. It addresses all the questions that a buyer might have.
We offer you a detailed description of the characteristics that you need to pay attention to before purchasing. Here is an overview of products from leading manufacturers in the segment. The selection criteria are justified by compelling arguments, the information is confirmed by photos and video recommendations.
The content of the article:
- Requirements for water pipes
- Basic criteria for choosing a water model
- Device mounting method
- Connection options for dryers
- Design and size of heated towel rails
- Additional equipment functions
- Manufacturer choice: domestic or imported?
- Important characteristics of water modifications
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Requirements for water pipes
The bathroom is the most humid place in a house or apartment, so it is necessary to provide additional heating to the room. Heated towel rail Helps quickly dry towels or linen, prevents mold and eliminates dampness finishing of floors and walls.
In addition, modern models are a stylish decoration for the bathroom interior, since progressive designers are constantly working on the appearance of the devices.
Water heated towel rail in the standard version it looks like a curved pipe in the middle of which hot water circulates. If the water supply stops circulating, the product will no longer function.
Choosing water heated towel rail, first of all, you need to take into account the pressure level in the pipes. According to current building codes and GOST requirements, the water pressure in the water intake fittings is more than 6 atm.
The water pressure in the pipes of apartment buildings can be 2.5-7.5 Atm. The indicator depends on the location of construction, the quality of communications and the number of floors in the building. In private homes pipe pressure usually 2-3 atm. Therefore, before purchasing, you should find out the indicators of the water supply system and add several positions for water hammer to the obtained value.
Water efficiency heated towel rail depends on the development area of the pipe. The original ladder-shaped design has the ability to release the maximum amount of heat and easily withstands water hammer.
When choosing a dryer, you need to pay special attention to the diameter of the pipes. In some cases, a special adapter is required for installation and connection of a heating device.
Basic criteria for choosing water models
Bathroom renovation involves replacing outdated plumbing equipment, including heated towel railconnected to the hot water supply system (DHW) or heating. When choosing a heating device, you should evaluate not only the external attractiveness of the product, but also the strength of the material.
Not every model heated towel rail is able to withstand regular changes in operating pressure that occur in the centralized heating system of apartment buildings.
It is worth considering that peak pressure values in pipes can reach 10 Atm. Therefore, it is important to know what technical characteristics and features of the heating device you should pay attention to first.
It is important to have the correct installation of water heated towel rail. In most cases, the installation of the structure is carried out before finishing work begins in the bathroom.
This significantly saves money and time spent on installation work. Many installation problems are easier to solve using modern electric models.
Appearance heated towel rails
By shape heated towel rails water type can be divided into several different types. Standard models include heating devices that look like a curved pipe. Outwardly, they may resemble the letter “P” or “M”.
In recent years, modern models of heating structures of unusual sizes and shapes have been gaining popularity.To decorate modern interiors, consumers more often consider progressive design models, for example, in the form of a zigzag or ladder, presented by manufacturers in different modifications.
It is recommended to select a drying device in which the number of hangers will correspond to the number of people living in the house. In this case, the distance between the hangers should be sufficient.
Modernized models are available to consumers, which may have additional functionality such as shelves. Today, designer types of dryers, which can have original shapes, are gaining popularity. In this case, a practical device will become a stylish decoration for the bathroom, add a bright and unique touch to the interior or emphasize a certain style.
Thus, the modern market offers a large selection of water models heated towel rails various forms:
- ladder;
- zigzag;
- U-shaped;
- M-shaped;
- U-shaped;
- teardrop-shaped;
- double-circuit.
In addition to standard models of water heaters for the bathroom, consumers are offered exclusive designer models. They feature an intricate, unique design.
Shelves or special hooks are sometimes added to designs of the original shape. External attractiveness and practicality are reflected in the cost heated towel rail.
Priority material of manufacture
When choosing a water-type heating device, you should focus not only on the technical characteristics and shape of the product. It is also important what material it is made of. During the production process of water heated towel rails The following materials are used:
- stainless steel;
- black steel;
- non-ferrous metals (brass, copper, aluminum).
There are chromed, polished and painted water heated towel rails. If the owner of a house or apartment decides to change the heating device in the bathroom, he is interested in what material is best to choose a heating device for drying towels and linen.
To make the right choice, let’s analyze the features and characteristics of water structures made of different materials.
Devices made from ordinary of steel. Steel is an alloy of iron with carbon and other elements. The technical characteristics and properties of steel depend on additional components.
Reliable heated towel rails made of durable black steel are practically no different from structures made of ordinary stainless steel. Steel radiators conduct heat well and are coated on the outside with a special layer that protects it from corrosion.
Water heating devices made from iron are considered the most budget-friendly option and are ideal for consumers who want to save money. The disadvantage of models of this type is the relatively short service life of the product.
If you do not have a significant amount of funds when carrying out repairs, then an iron unit is the best option.
Heated towel rail made of iron and its alloys, suitable for country houses that have an autonomous heating system. The fact is that in an apartment, a radiator made of this material rusts faster and becomes clogged with impurities and salts that settle daily on the inner walls of the pipe.
This significantly reduces the life of the device, so experts do not recommend connect the water device from steel to a centralized heating system.
Heated towel rails made of stainless steel. Bathroom heating devices made of stainless steel are reliable units that will serve the owner for a long time.
To the main advantages heated towel rails stainless steel can be attributed to their ability to withstand high pressure and resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel models have excellent thermal conductivity.
The disadvantages of such heated towel rails can be attributed to the high cost of products. They are several times more expensive than steel and copper structures. On the modern market you can find a budget analogue of the radiator - heated towel rail, painted to resemble stainless steel.
The disadvantage of the product is that if the operating rules are violated, it quickly loses its attractive appearance.
Regardless of the quality of the water, a stainless steel water radiator will last for a long time. There are chrome-plated, polished and painted water heated towel rails made of stainless steel. To ensure that a steel radiator will delight you with its attractive appearance for a long time, choose chrome-plated models from a domestic or imported manufacturer.
Brass and copper devices. Heated towel rails, made from brass pipes, are the “golden mean” between two types of steel radiators.
The material has an attractive golden color, which is given to it by its constituent components. Brass includes an alloy of copper and zinc, often with additions of iron, aluminum, tin and other elements. This is the most common copper alloy, characterized by ductility.
Mermen heated towel rails made of brass or copper are not susceptible to corrosion, and are slightly more expensive than similar products made of stainless steel.
The maximum permissible pressure that a similar brass or copper radiator can withstand is 6 bar. Due to this feature, they are excellent for installation in private houses, in which the water pressure usually does not exceed 3-4 atmospheres.
Mounting method devices
An important point that you need to pay attention to when choosing a water radiator for your bathroom is the method of fastening or installation. Although installation is not a very difficult task, it does require the involvement of a professional for proper installation. A qualified specialist will not only competently install the unit, but will also maintain the manufacturer’s warranty.
All types of water heated towel rails are connected to risers, since they need to be connected to the existing water supply or heating system. They are most often fixed on the wall, less often on the wall along with the floor. The installation option depends on the specifics of the model and the preferred installation option.
#1: Installation of wall models
When choosing between mounting on the floor or wall, residents of apartment buildings often prefer wall mounting. This is an ideal option for rooms with limited space.
In a small bathroom, a similar design can take the place of a towel holder.If the lower part of the wall is tiled in the bathroom, you can install heated towel rail below or above the boundary, or buy a device that can be mounted on a bathroom wall with a level difference.
#2: Installing floor-standing appliances
Floor mounted near the wall heated towel rail can perform the functions of additional heating of the room and non-contact drying. For example, you can place a bath towel rack above the water radiator.
In this case, the warm air rising from the water device will dry the wet towel. The bathtub will look more attractive than with things hanging on its walls.
Disadvantages of floor heated towel rail: it is not suitable for a small bathroom and requires additional renovation work.
Connection options for dryers
Choosing water heated towel rail, it is necessary to take into account the method of connecting the structure. There are 3 main connection types:
- Lateral. Suitable for vertically elongated devices. This is the most universal method, suitable for standard snakes, systems with “recessed” pipes and for individual ladder models.
- Bottom connection. Requires taps Mayevsky and normal hot water pressure. Suitable for large models, often used in ladders.
- Diagonal. This connection method ensures efficient water circulation and requires additional pipe laying. Suitable for large structures, stairs and their modifications.
One of the most popular types is a heating device with a side connection.Such models are in demand due to the features of the device and the ease of connecting the unit to the water supply network. When purchasing a side heated towel rail It must be taken into account that some models are not suitable for standard domestic systems.
The generally accepted diameter of risers in apartment buildings is 1 or 1.4 inches. According to foreign standards, the connecting dimensions are 3/4 or 1.5 inches. If you purchased heated towel rail With such dimensions, you must additionally purchase a special adapter with which you can perform installation work.
Design and size heated towel rails
For a bathroom of any style, you can choose a water heated towel rail, which will harmoniously fit into the surrounding interior. Big choice devices allows you to choose the appropriate product option for classic, ultra-modern and other style trends.
A significant role when choosing an attention-grabbing device for drying towels is given to the outer coating of the product. Many modern manufacturers prefer to use water coating for coating. heated towel rail Popular materials today are chrome and polished brass.
If desired, to create an exclusive interior, you can select designer radiator models with the effect of aged gold, bronze, matte nickel and others. The main condition is that the chosen one heated towel rail matched the style of the bathroom.
Water radiators for drying may include additional elements. These are shelves for storing bath accessories, hooks for linen and bathrobes, etc. Decide in advance whether there is a need for such additions, since each additional function increases the final cost devices.
You need to pay attention not only to the design of the heating device, but also to the size of the product. It is important how many towels can be dried on the radiator at the same time and whether the bulky design will not spoil the aesthetics of the room.
It should be noted that heated towel rails with a large surface area, laundry and towels heat up and dry faster. If your plans are not only to dry towels, but also to heat the bathroom, pay attention to larger radiator designs.
Additional equipment functions
Modern electric heated towel rails — energy efficient devices that are beneficial to always leave on. This is due to the fact that heating an initially cold radiator will require a temperature significantly higher than that required to maintain the heat of an already heated device.
The presence of a timer allows you to set a program for turning on the water heated towel rail before taking a shower or bath. This will keep the towel warm when you need it.
Switches and timers can be built-in or act as a convenient separate option. Some models are equipped with a thermostat to maintain the required temperature of the device according to your wishes.
You will learn about the rules and diagrams for connecting an electrical “dryer” by reading popular article our site.
Manufacturer choice: domestic or imported?
Radiators are in great demand in the modern market as heated towel rails domestic manufacturers and foreign analogues. Of the imported models, Italian, German and Finnish brands deserve special attention.
At choice heated towel rail One should take into account the fact that products from European manufacturers are mainly designed for connecting a radiator to a heating system. Products from domestic manufacturers are usually focused on connecting the structure to a centralized hot water supply system.
European manufacturers do not take into account the quality of water circulating through drainpipes and use thin-walled steel as a material. However, the internal walls of the radiator usually do not have an anti-corrosion coating.
For hot water supply, water is used, which contains mechanical suspensions, salts and chemical impurities. These elements contribute to corrosion, and suspensions settle on the walls of the device, reducing the internal diameter of the pipe. This especially negatively affects the bends of the product.
The water coming from the water supply does not contain oxygen, and the coolant from the boiler is enriched with it, which is why many people choose heated towel rails domestic production, which are adapted to the conditions of our communications.
High rating and popularity of water heated towel rails made of stainless steel has caused many counterfeits.
Low quality metal is sensitive to various impurities and quickly loses its performance properties and becomes unusable. To insure against low-quality products, you must give preference to proven and reliable manufacturers.
In addition to the world famous brands, there are companies on the market with budget options heated towel railswho strictly monitor the quality of their products.
Important characteristics of water modifications
If you want to buy the most economical and relatively inexpensive model, it is better to opt for standard M-shaped or U-shaped products. They are great for decorating a small bathroom.
To install such a water structure, you do not need to install or change pipes. To dry towels, just connect it to the pipeline.
In order to dry a significant amount of towels and linen, as well as to heat the room, choose models with fairly wide pipes. It is desirable that they be made of anti-corrosion and wear-resistant stainless steel.
At the time of purchase heated towel rail be sure to check how is the device connected?. Models that look similar in appearance to a regular radiator can be connected exclusively to the heating system.
When choosing the optimal water model heated towel rail it is worth paying special attention to ensuring that it does not succumb to corrosion, can withstand sudden changes in pressure and various types of water hammer.
If you have no idea about the installation features of these products, it is recommended to use the services of professionals. This will save you from having to carry out repeated repairs in case of unsuccessful installation of the structure.
To purchase a high-quality and durable water heated towel rail, pay attention to the coating of the product, the execution of the welds and the threads at the ends. It wouldn’t hurt to check the availability of appropriate certificates for the products you purchase. In addition to the warranty card, the kit must contain a hygiene card with the name of the manufacturer.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video will clearly introduce the main aspects of the choice:
We tried to give you a general idea of water heated towel rails, which will help in choosing the optimal model. Taking into account the material of manufacture, the degree of resistance of the product to corrosion processes, technical characteristics and features of the devices, you will be able to choose the optimal model heated towel rail.
Would you like to tell us how you chose a heated towel rail for your own bathroom? Did you have any questions while reading the article? Do you want to provide interesting information? Please leave comments in the block below.
Experts, help me choose between two models from different manufacturers. I am choosing between a heated towel rail from Elite Metal model Ruchei and a heated towel rail from Sunerge model Elegy. I don’t know the first manufacturer, but the price, characteristics and guarantees are satisfactory. Sunerzh is standing with a neighbor, he says he’s good. Who knows, help with the choice.
When choosing a heated towel rail for our apartment, like any girl, I primarily relied on its appearance. I think stainless steel options are most suitable for a modern apartment. They look nice, will last a very long time, and you can choose any desired shape. Well, I still entrusted the installation to a professional; it’s not a woman’s business.
The heated towel rail is a sore subject for me. When we moved into our new apartment, we already had a chrome heated towel rail installed in our bathroom. It is water-based, heats well, quite quickly, but there is one important drawback: I cannot dry good things on it. He ruins them. Things are “welded” to it, shiny flakes remain on them, sometimes dark marks from this dryer.
In order not to spoil a good item when drying it on a heated towel rail, place some kind of cloth under it. I personally cover the pipe itself with a small towel.
Hello. The heated towel rail perfectly performs its function of drying towels after a bath or shower. But most things, especially those made from delicate fabrics, are generally not recommended to be dried on heating pipes, as this will ruin things. The fibers dry out, stains and unsmoothed wrinkles appear. The maximum is thermal blowing, or better yet, natural drying on ropes.
And if you really need to dry something urgently, use the advice below - thin fabric, and a thing on top of it.