Cast Iron Radiator Frequently Asked Questions
Q, Are Cast Iron radiators efficient?
The science is very clear, Cast Iron radiators are very efficient - but they are different to pressed steel radiators. Cast iron heats up and cools slowly so when your boiler is turned on it will take longer to emit heat from your cast iron radiators than if you were to have pressed steel radiators that heat up very quickly and disseminate heat very quickly. Likewise, after your boiler is turned off your cast iron radiators will continue to emit the built up heat. Therefore the energy output is effectively the same as a modern pressed steel radiator. However, our customers have found that in Cast Iron radiators do tend to be more suitable for traditional properties, especially stone properties where slow and steady heat is required over longer periods of time.
Q, Are your cast iron radiators guaranteed?
Yes, all Cast Iron radiators of all designs are guaranteed for 10 years. However, our Cast Iron Radiators are made using traditional techniques and as long as they are looked after should last a lifetime. We deal with many reclaimed radiators that are over a century old, there is no reason why your Cast Iron Radiator should not continue to warm your home for generations to come.
Q, What is the difference between a section and a column in Cast Iron radiators?
Understanding the difference between a section and a column is critical when specifying your Cast Iron Radiator. In Short a section of a Cast Iron radiator refers to each individual casted piece that, when fixed together, make up a radiator.
A Cast Iron radiator column refers to the number of vertical columns within each section. Therefore, the picture of the 9 column radiator (right) shows that it is made up of individual Iron Castings which have 9
After working out how much heat you need in your room, you can then specify how many
In general the more columns a radiator has the higher the surface area of the radiator and therefore the higher the heat output. But it is also subject to taste and space as well as your home.
Q, How do I work out how big my Cast Iron radiator needs to be?
We can assemble Cast Iron Radiators in any design, with any finish to any size depending upon your exact requirements.
The easiest way to work this out is to measure your room and input the dimensions into our BTU calculator. Alternatively, if you would like us to work this out please forward your room dimensions to us at info@CastIronRadiators.ltd.uk or call us on 01723 321 000 and we will work it out for you.
Q, What colour can I have my Cast Iron radiators in?
We have a wide range of different colours and finishes for your radiator to suit every home in the country. Your Cast Iron Radiator can be sent to you in simple black primer, we can paint it, we can antique it, we can match a paint colour of your choosing or for a little more we can polish your radiator to a near mirror finish. You can choose from any of the stock colours shown on the Cast Iron radiator product page, or for an extra fee we can also match any colour you already have.
Click here to view our Cast Iron Radiator Traditional Colours and finishes
Q, Why are Cast Iron Radiators Ltd of North Yorkshire different?
There are may different retailers of traditional radiators in the UK. They all seem to be selling similar products, have similar finishes and similar prices. However, we are different. We manufacture and test all of our cast iron radiators. we have our own in house testing and assembly facilities. Many of our radiators are sold through third parties and you may see our radiators elsewhere - buying through us cuts out the middle men.
It is possible to see some of our cast iron radiators slightly cheaper elsewhere. It is only possible to beat our prices by cutting corners on manufacturing or quality. We only use British made gaskets and European engineered joining threads that confirm the CE standards and have been pre-qualified by the British Cast Iron Radiators Association - the industry body that regulates the cast iron radiators manufacturers in the UK. We are aware that not all manufacturers use CE rated components and very few use British made gaskets. There are lots of generous guarantees for traditional radiators in the UK, but we test our radiators with in house ultrasonic wall thickness testing, we do all our own pressure testing on individual sections and on assembled radiators, but most importantly, we only use British and European made internal components. You can have confidence in our guarantee - which is not always the case when buying traditional radiators in the UK.
Q, Do I need wallstays?
The short answer is yes - wallstays should always be used with our Cast Iron radiators. They stabilise the Cast Iron radiator and prevent the radiator from being accidentally knocked over. Cast Iron Radiators are very heavy, when they have water in they are very very heavy. It is human nature to run your hand over the top of a warm cast iron radiator - wall stays are essential.
Q, How are my radiators tested?
As the leading manufacturer of traditional radiators in the UK, we have a range of testing facilities for all of our cast iron radiators that are manufactured at our North Yorkshire factory. All of our castings are pressure tested individually and as an assembled radiator. We use ultrasonic testing to randomly test wall thickness on our castings as sand castings do have natural variations - it is critical that our cast iron radiators meet the minimum wall thickness defined by the British Cast Iron Radiators Association and the CE British standard. We have in house paint thickness calibration testing to ensure that our painting is of the highest quality.
Q, How long does delivery take?
All Cast Iron Radiators we sell are made to order and individually fully tested. Delivery and time to assemble your Cast Iron Radiator do vary slightly throughout the year as demand varies, but the average lead time is 14 working days for painted Cast Iron radiators. Polished Cast Iron radiators may take slightly longer as the process of polishing each individual section of your radiator takes many times longer than painting. If delivery time is critical, please call us on 01723 321 000 to check.
Q, How will my Cast Iron radiators be delivered?
Your Cast Iron radiators will be delivered on a pallet with a lorry that will have a tail lift. This pallet can be moved around on flat, solid ground with a pallet truck that will be onboard the lorry, and the drivers are usually willing to help where possible. However, you will need sufficient manpower to carry your Cast Iron radiators into your property. Please be aware that Cast Iron radiators are very heavy and 2 or 3 people may be required.
Q, How do I fit my Cast Iron radiators?
Your Cast Iron radiators will be delivered on a pallet with a lorry that will have a tail lift. This pallet can be moved around on flat, solid ground with a pallet truck that will be onboard the lorry, and the drivers are usually willing to help where possible. However, you will need sufficient manpower to carry your Cast Iron radiators into your property. Please be aware that Cast Iron radiators are very heavy and 2 or 3 people may be required.
Q, Where can I view your Cast Iron Radiators?
| All our cast iron radiators are available to view at our North Yorkshire Showroom in Filey. Our Address is Westwyn Works, Clarence Drive, Filey, North Yorkshire YO14 0AA .  Give us a call on 01723 321 000 and we will ensure that the kettle is on. This showroom is open Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm and at weekends by appointment. |
Please also see our information and terms page for Cast Iron radiators
To see our full range of Cast Iron Radiators, Please click here