Choosing and Installing Heated Towel Rails for Your Bathroom
While designing one's dream bathroom, comfort and functionality almost go hand in hand. Arguably, the most important feature that blends both into one is a heated towel rail. Heated towel rails ensure warmth and utility, keeping your bathroom cozy while your towels stay toasty and dry. Below, we will discuss all you need to know about heated towel rails-from benefits and types to installation tips and maintenance.
Why Invest in a Heated Towel Rail?
Heated towel rails are not all about luxury; they serve indispensable practical purposes in the bathroom. Here's why you should install one:
Warmth & Comfort
Just think of stepping out from a warm shower and wrapping up in a dry, heated towel. Heated towel rails give you this daily indulgence, ensuring your towels are warm and welcoming every time you bathe.
Prevention of Mould and Mildew
Wet towels are mould and mildew's best friend. Heated towel rails dry towels in a very short period of time, which keeps towels fresh and also reduces moisture build up in the bathroom.
Energy Efficiency
Heated towel rails are somewhat energy-efficient compared to central heating systems. Most modern heated towel rails are designed to use very minimal energy while effectively heating the towels and small bathroom areas.
Space-Saving Heated Towel Rails
In smaller bathrooms, where the floor space is little, heated towel rails help solve double purposes. The heated towel rail acts like a heating solution and also as a towel storage unit, thereby saving valuable floor space.
Appearance
Heated towel rails come in many shapes and styles, in a range of materials and finishes that can add style to your bathroom. From sleek and ultra-modern in chrome finish to classic in white rail, there is something for every style and taste.
Types of Heated Towel Rails
Before trying to select which heated towel rail to buy, you need to know what types are available on the market. Each has its special features, suited for different bathrooms and heating needs.
Electric Heated Towel Rails
Electric heated towel rails work independently of your central heating system and function with the help of electricity. They come in handy for bathrooms where you just want heat at odd times or in homes that do not have any central heating system installed. You can easily turn these electric towel rails on and off according to the need. Thus, they are quite flexible and convenient in some ways.
Hydronic rails are those that are connected to the central heating system in your house. Very practical if you already have a radiator installed in your bathroom; it will save you much hassle. Their disadvantage is that they only can work when the central heating is turned on, which may come into conflict with your desire during the spring and summer seasons when the heating system is off.
Dual-Fuel Heated Towel Rails
Dual-fuel towel rails give you the best of both worlds. These plumbed-in towel rails connect into the central heating system with the addition of an electric element, so you can use them independently. That, of course, means warm towels all year round-even when the central heating isn't on.
Materials and Finishes
Heated towel rails are made of several different materials and finishes, each offering variant advantages in terms of durability, efficiency of heat conduction, and style.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a favourite choice for towel rails due to the fact that it doesn't rust and corrode. In addition, it is very durable and happens to have a very modern look; hence, it is one of the favourite materials used in the design of bathrooms for contemporary settings.
Chrome towel rails are affordable and stylish. They present a shiny reflective surface that adds elegance to your bathroom. However, chrome is not as good a heat conductor as stainless steel, meaning it may take some time to warm up the towel rail.
Nickel with a brushed finish is softer and more matte compared to chrome. It is hardy, resistant to corrosion; thus, it is ideal for humid areas like bathrooms.
Heated towel rails and radiators are very popular in Anthracite colour. Choose ladder, designer heated towel rails, vertical and horizontal bathroom radiators.
To add more classic or unique touches, you can instead use white or coloured towel rails. They can be fitted to complement the bathroom theme or chosen in order to provide a bold contrast in colour.
How to Choose the Right Heated Towel Rail
Choosing a heated towel rail involves considering a few variables that will determine whether it will be the right fit for your specific needs.
The size of the towel rail must always relate to the size of your bathroom and the number of towels you intend to hang. While you may get away with a compact towel rail for a small en-suite bathroom, the larger family bathrooms would require the bigger model that holds several towels.
Heated towel rails are not only used to dry towels but also to help warm your bathroom with their heat. Take into consideration the amount of heat generated measured in BTUs or watts that would be sufficient for the space where the rails will go. A huge bathroom may entail more rails or a greater heat output from the rails.
Consider your overall style in the bathroom when selecting your towel rail design. A sleek, modern bathroom would look great with sleek chrome designs, while a more traditional space may call for a classic white rail. Don't forget to consider the shape of the rail-ladder rails are common, but curved rails add an interesting visual element.
According to whether your bathroom has central heating or not, you can have an electric, hydronic, or dual-fuel towel rail. In these respects, while dual-fuel models allow flexibility, electric rails provide standalone heating.
Heated Towel Rails Installation Tips
The proper installation will enable you to get maximum efficiency and safety from your heated towel rail. Here are some useful tips that ensure the right installation of your towel rail:
Employ the Services of a Professional Plumber
One must install a hydronic or dual-fuel towel rail with the assistance of a professional plumber or electrician. Poor installations can be responsible for leakage, electrical problems, or malfunctioning in general performance.
Place your heated towel rail in a convenient place, where towels can be dried as soon as possible. Keep the rails away from sources of water, such as sinks or showers, to reduce possibilities of electrical hazard or damage to the water.
Once installed, check the operation by turning it on to heat up, ensuring there is no leakage or electrical problem. Ensure it's stable and can support the weight of wet towels wobbling.
Maintenance of Your Heated Towel Rail
Keeping the heated towel rail in healthy condition requires regular maintenance.
Cleaning Your Towel Rail
Regularly wipe your towel rail with a soft cloth to remove dust, dirt, and water stains. Avoid the use of harsh cleaners that may scratch the surface. In the case of chrome finishes, a mild cleaner will keep the shine.
With hydronic or dual-fuel towel rails, you should check the joints and valves frequently to ensure no water leakage. Find the solution for any leakage as soon as possible to avoid damage related to water or, for that matter, any ramifications related to low efficiency.
Bleeding the Rail
Similar to radiators, hydronic towel rails may need bleeding from time to time to remove pockets of trapped air. This ensures efficiency in the way the rail operates and heats up.
Give Your Bathroom a Lift with Heated Towel Rails
Heated towel rails offer warmth, luxury, and convenience in the bathroom-many are finding out. With the selection of the right type, size, and design, one can have a comfortable and functional space that will work with one's lifestyle. It could be an electric one or a rail fitted with dual fuel. Whichever choice you make, a well-chosen heated towel rail will turn your bathroom into an oasis of rest and comfort. Moreover, it prevents mould and mildew from growing; hence, your towels will be fresh and dry all year round. If you are thinking of investing in some high-quality heated towel rails, then have a look at what's in store for you www.athomebathrooms.co.uk/heating
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