Victorian cast iron radiators

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Anyone have any experience of buying Victorian cast iron radiators?

We are looking to replace some of the modern radiators with more traditional ones in our Grade 2 listed building, but there are lots of options online, so a recommendation would be helpful!

[Gtom]

If you have a look through paralla’s house refurb thread, he has just bought some pretty (very) decent Victorian style radiators.

Not sure if he put a link to the company or not but I’m sure he would be able to tell you.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Gtom said:

If you have a look through paralla s house refurb thread, he has just bought some pretty (very) decent Victorian style radiators.

Not sure if he put a link to the company or not but I m sure he would be able to tell you.

Thanks, I’ll do a search!

[okgo]

I have had two plumbers come and look at replacing all of ours. Neither came back to me on a quote…they all grumbled about the BTU ratings needing to match and such and made it sound like a lot of hassle.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

okgo said:

I have had two plumbers come and look at replacing all of ours. Neither came back to me on a quote they all grumbled about the BTU ratings needing to match and such and made it sound like a lot of hassle.

I ve spoken to our plumber who fully approves and thinks they’ll look great - I’m going to tell him what we want and then get him to confirm which valves/accessories we need. We definitely want two black radiators for our dining room - just debating whether to go for standard Matt black or pay extra to get them painted to match the skirting boards which are a ‘Little Green’ off black colour!

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Saturday 22 November 19:29

[okgo]

Can you let me know what sort of quotes you get and what they say about making sure the BTU matches the room size? I think there must be regulation now around this.

[Tighnamara]

Try here

https://www.theoldradiatorcompany.co.uk/radiator-r...

Supply and refurbish.

Didn’t purchase radiators from them, but sent all ours for refurbishment and testing about 15 years ago.

Great service, all stripped, tested and painted, no issues to date.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Tighnamara said:

Try here

https://www.theoldradiatorcompany.co.uk/radiator-r...

Supply and refurbish.

Didn t purchase radiators from them, but sent all ours for refurbishment and testing about 15 years ago.

Great service, all stripped, tested and painted, no issues to date.

Thanks, will take a look.

[Grandad Gaz]

Great care has to be taken with original cast iron rads. Do not over tighten the fittings, otherwise there is a real risk of cracking the cast.
Speaking from experience!

how about reproduction Victorian rads?

[Mr_J]

Foundry Cast Iron are the people you want.

We've had radiators from them in our current house and our previous one. They're great. We'd have them in every room of we could justify the cost.

[Sheepshanks]

Do they have to be cast iron, or just cast iron style?

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Sheepshanks said:

Do they have to be cast iron, or just cast iron style?

Ideally the former, but suspect for cost reasons we’ll end up with the latter.

[Rollin]

We have several from this place. Had no issues and some have been present for 7 years.
They are expensive though, especially if ordered painted.
Get some help with lifting...we've got another on the way for a third floor which I'm not looking forward to getting up there.

https://www.castironradiatorcentre.co.uk/

[JD]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Sheepshanks said:

Do they have to be cast iron, or just cast iron style?

Ideally the former, but suspect for cost reasons we ll end up with the latter.

If the latter, then you will find most of the “cast iron style” radiators from the likes of best heating and ukradiators much much cheaper on eBay.

I suspect they all come out of the same factory in China and the markup that some charge is eye watering.

Have a look for KB Star, they are normally doing some promotion or discount.