CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

Designer radiators are styled to stand out from the norm and to be different. There are a number of contemporary style radiator designs to choose from and there is a big choice of style, design, colour and size to suit all requirements.

Styles include vertical radiators, horizontal designs and radiators with curved fronts. There are a number of different chrome radiators for use as towel rails and others with mirrored fronts designed for bathrooms, but often used in other rooms too. The trend is for these designer radiators, especially the ones with rails across, to be used in any room in the house. They are no longer confined to the bathroom. You can select a designer radiator that you like and put it in any room in the house.

The best way to see what is out there in terms of designer radiators is to browse the internet, or visit a specialist shop that stocks radiators from a number of different designers. The tube type radiators with their chrome finish and ultra modern look are extremely popular at present. However, there is also a move back to radiators that resemble those huge cast iron radiators that used to be used with early central heating systems. The days of the straightforward flat panel radiator are certainly numbered as new designs appear all the time.

The latest development here is a horizontal tubed radiator with fins, which comes in black. A quick search for ‘designer radiators’ will reveal a huge range of options. Once you have found what you want you can ask your supplier to get it for you.

Aeon stainless steel radiators are renowned for their quality and style. In fact Aeon has actually been credited with the creation of designer radiators which have become a focal point of bathrooms as opposed to just a necessary practicality. In the past radiators were often considered rather unsightly but these new brands of designer radiators are simply stunning and enhance the bathrooms they are installed within.

All Aeon radiators are constructed entirely from 304 grade stainless steel which is a non-corrosive, durable and environmentally friendly material. You are guaranteed longevity when you purchase one of these designer radiators. They combine style with heat output and there is no shortage of options available with 450 styles in their current catalogue, meaning that there is bound to be a radiator to suit your bathroom and your own personal style.

Aeon radiators are sector leading since the entire unit is constructed from stainless steel including the radiator valves. All components which come into contact with wet surfaces or water use the 304 grade stainless steel while 430 grade stainless steel is used for components which will remain dry at all times. TIG welding technology ensures that all joints become one with the actual radiator unit. At no time will these radiators show any sign of discolouration, flaking or peeling and Aeon is so sure of this that each radiator comes with a twenty year guarantee for your piece of mind. The quality truly is second to none.

When using a bathroom everybody wants to be comfortable and enjoy a pleasant experience. A well maintained bathroom often signifies a lot about the rest of the household. One way to keep your bathroom looking pristine and in good order is through the use of a bathroom accessories set. This can include soap dishes, tumblers, lotion dispensers and many other accessories to add to the look and style of your bathroom.

Ranging from toilet roll holders to towels, be sure that the bathroom accessories that you choose complement your theme and style.

If you’re concerned with design and style you have many options from which to choose, including modern or contemporary styles, natural styles that bring out a theme of nature, traditional styles right down to simple, intricate, yet delicate styles.

If cost is the major concern, there are many favourable bathroom accessories for those on a budget, which you can find both online or in your local retailers.

If quality is the key, bathroom accessories come in a vast abundance of materials including durable glass; brass, stainless steel and chrome finishes, all designed to last for years in a well used bathroom.

Yet it doesn’t end there with the soap dish or the toilet roll holder. Bathroom accessories can also include the bathroom furniture. A common feature of today’s modern bathroom furniture and bathroom accessories includes the bathroom mirror set. Again with many styles to choose from, whether it is a plain wall mirror, a special cut glass mirror or a mirrored cabinet, the bathroom mirror is a vital aspect of any modern bathroom.

As with most bathroom fittings, bathroom radiators come in a variety of styles and designs. They usually end up being used for drying towels, however splendid they may look and how much they might have cost.

Bathroom radiators are appliances used the world over for making the bathroom experience all the more enjoyable. There’s nothing quite like stepping out of a hot shower or bath knowing that a warm towel is waiting for you.

A bathroom towel radiator is a great way to add a little bit of luxury to your bathroom without too much expense. Bathroom radiators have grown increasingly popular over the years and many designer radiators now exist to suit the tastes of most people. Between the functionality of these appliances and the elegant look that they provide, these units make excellent additions to any bathroom.

Most modern bathrooms tend to have a towel radiator fitted and are without a doubt the most popular application when it comes to choosing a heating unit in the bathroom. Bathroom towel radiators are usually incorporated into the central heating system of the house or are heated by electricity.   The amount of heat emitted by a bathroom towel radiator is sometimes less than other radiators. This is because the purpose of the unit is not to heat the entire room, but merely to keep towels warm and dry.

A further benefit of fitting your bathroom with a towel radiator is the reduction of condensation, they also offer flexibility allowing you to adjust the heat within your bathroom to suit your requirements and your comfort.

If you do not own a shower enclosure but have a shower/bath combination in your bathroom you have probably at some point bought a new shower curtain, taken it home to hang in the bathroom and realised you’ve forgotten to buy either shower hooks or rings.

While they are items most of us never give a thought to, the range and styles of these important little fixtures is amazing and may be the difference between a perfect bathroom and a merely functional one.

To begin with, decide whether you prefer a shower ring or a hook. Although your budget may not accommodate power-glide rings, these are the favoured choice of most interior designers. Usually made of stainless steel, these are generally attached to tiny rollers, which makes for optimum smoothness of use and are guaranteed not to rust, an important consideration if buying cheaper snap-on wire rings.

Again, it is not crucial to buy the most expensive shower hook, but the more money you spend, the greater the quality and range of design. Most good-quality hooks have a high level of decorative workmanship and therefore make it that much easier to match up with the rest of your bathroom accessories.

Another good tip is to avoid the snap-on plastic rings, which are priced at the lower end of the market. Although they may look sturdy enough when initially fitted, prolonged use often results in them breaking, often at the most inconvenient moment.

Be careful to check just how many rings and hooks come in a packet. The vast majority of shower curtains are fitted with twelve holes. This is by no means the case with packets of either shower rings or hooks.

Once your new shower curtain has been fitted you can be safe in the knowledge that your next power shower won’t leave water all over your bathroom floor.

Renovating or updating your house can not only make it a better place to live, but also adds value to the property. Most home renovations such as painting and decorating are DIY projects and can be done by the homeowner, but more complex jobs like fitting a kitchen should be left for the professional fitters and electricians.

Updating the bathroom has become a popular project for a homeowner and adds a great deal of value to the home if done correctly. Again, the painting and decorating and even the tilling and floor laying can be done by the homeowner, but fitting the bathroom suite or new shower enclosure should be done by a qualified plumber.

Other popular DIY projects are gardens, where the homeowner can easily lay decking or paving stones and plant trees and flowers to create stunning results. At the end of the day only do the DIY projects you are happy to do and leave the rest to the professional builders, electricians and plumbers.

Choosing a bath is worth taking time and trouble over, so avoid the temptation to be rushed into buying one. Think of how it will look in the bathroom and design around it.

If you have a family with small children and limited space, a two-person bath may well be the best option. However, there are a couple of things you should consider first.

Most important is the size of your water tank. A double bath or corner bath inevitably uses more water than a standard model. Baths are filled with hot water at roughly a ratio of 2:1. Therefore it is important to determine the capacity of the bath and equate it to the size of the water tank. Nobody wants to bathe in a half-filled bath, so work out the economics of investing in a new water tank. Failing that, you could buy a water heater that only serves the bath and leave the existing one to heat water for other domestic uses.

Another option may be a Sok bath, which is very deep. Additionally, it is fitted with a type of chromotherapy that allows you to experience different colours as you soak. 

However, it does take up a lot of space and you would need to check that your bathroom has sufficient electrical capacity to cope with the demands placed upon it. One major plus point for this type of bath is that it ensures the bathing experience is one of total relaxation. 

A further option is the traditional freestanding bath. This is freestanding and very capacious. Sitting in the middle of the bathroom, means it takes up space and if you like your bathroom neat and tidy, the sight of exposed plumbing may be a drawback.

Most of us are not fortunate enough to have a spacious bathroom with a large amount of storage space. This is obviously a problem, but with some inventive thinking this drawback can easily be turned into an advantage, stylistically at least.

First of all, thoroughly appraise your bathroom. Forget conventional notions of bathroom cabinets situated over the lavatory and so forth. These might look good on paper, but in practical terms are next to useless. They can also give the bathroom a peculiarly disproportionate look.

Shower curtains are a good place to start. Choose a style that features pockets sewn on to the bath or shower facing side. These are ideal to hide away razor blades, shampoo and soaps. If you are concerned that the curtain has a lumpy look, invest in a double curtain rail. Simply hide the ‘storage’ shower curtain behind another, perhaps more expensive one.

Hanging baskets are another good space saving device. There are plenty of clip on baskets on the market that can be readily hung from a towel rail. They are perfect for storing anything from a hairdryer to your washing gear.

Wine racks are another item that can be pressed into service in the bathroom. Rolled towels fit neatly into the bottle holders and make for a highly original decorative feature. Try painting the rack a complementary colour to your shower curtains and bathmats.

Finally, if you have children, where better to store their toys than a foldaway laundry bag? Leave the wet toys to dry, remove and tuck the bag away.

Space is always a problem in a family home and nowhere more than in the bathroom. In particular, mornings can be a nightmare. Yet with a little careful planning there are simple ways to maximise the space in the bathroom and avoid full-scale family arguments.

Try dividing the room into clearly defined sectors. Separating the shower enclosure and bath into its own space and doubling the sink capacity is a useful aid to increase the number of people able to use the bathroom at any given time. Another idea is to create one long vanity unit, again with a double sink and installing a continuous mirror along the wall is another. Walling off the toilet is a good aid to privacy.

If you have small children, safety should be the watchword. Be sure to include a small step to enable them to get in and out of the bath safely. Non-slip bath mats should be included both inside and outside of the bath.

Be sure to fix safety catches on the toilet seat. If the children are slightly older and trusted to shower on their own, adjustable showerheads should be fitted as standard.

Perhaps the most important safety point is to place the medicine cabinet at as high a point as possible and always fit a childproof lock.

If these criteria are borne in mind, then sharing a bathroom may not be quite such a nightmare after all. More importantly, everyone will be safe.

Getting out of bed on a cold winter’s morning is certainly not one of life’s great pleasures. It is made infinitely worse when undressing in a freezing bathroom while waiting for the shower to heat up.

Fortunately there is a wide range of electrical heaters available on the market to fit into every size of bathroom. A quick checklist of safety considerations should make certain that no unfortunate accidents occur.

Most electric heaters are plugged into the nearest existing external socket. This makes them safe to set on timers, so the bathroom is warm as soon as you enter in the morning. Be careful to avoid placing the heater in front of bathroom accessories such as towels or shower curtains.

Ensure that the heater has a safety switch, which automatically shuts it down in the event of it toppling over. A quick look at the manufacturer’s guidelines should satisfy you of this.

In general, there are two types of heater, ‘radiant’ and ‘forced air’.
A radiant heater works by heating coils, which are situated behind a protective grill. The beauty of this system is that it allows heat to pass into the bathroom continuously, at an even temperature. They are also more energy efficient, as they do not use a fan system.

Conversely, forced air heaters operate by means of a fan emitting warm air through a metal grill. Although they heat the bathroom more rapidly, the inbuilt thermostat does not allow for very high temperatures. As previously noted, they are also more expensive.