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.

Under tile heating is a type of underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is an efficient, relatively low cost method of heating, which contrasts with conventional forms of heating such as radiator systems or wood, gas, coal or oil burners, by emitting radiant – and thereby longer lasting – instead of convected heat.

In rooms with a tiled floor, it is common to use electric underfloor heating instead of the other most common type of water underfloor heating. Under tile heating can be either based on electric cables or mesh, or electric heating mats. Cables, mesh and mats are quite easy to install, being easy to cut into shape and size. Installation can be done on a DIY basis by use of an underfloor heating kit.

Electric heating mats are waterproof and also act as the first layer of insulation from the temperature of the ground beneath the room tiles. The benefit of using an electric heating mat is that it evenly distributes heat emission underneath the tiles.

In rooms that are being newly built, under tile heating can be an easy part of the construction process. The under tile heating mat can be rolled out, cut into shape, fitted and tiled over in a very short stretch of time. Single, double or multiple coiled heating mats can be used, depending on the requirements. In smaller spaces such as bathrooms or utility rooms, single coiled under tile heating mats may well be sufficient, whereas conservatories can require multiple coiled heating mats.

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.

DIY installation of underfloor heating kits has become increasingly popular over the last few decades. Electric underfloor heating became prevalent in the 1960s but was at that time somewhat difficult and costly to install. This was because electric cables were laid in thick concrete pathways within the floor.  Water underfloor heating, which had been popularised in the early twentieth century by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, used a system of concrete water pipes connected to the main water supply.

Nowadays however, underfloor heating DIY has become relatively straightforward, with underfloor heating kits sold in many DIY shops or online. Kits will include a full set of instructions as well as technical support options, and the material is straightforward to use and light in nature.

Electric cables, heating mats or water pipes have to be carefully placed in the selected underfloor area, with close attention to an equal distribution of the material. Electrical control wiring is a key requirement. Also, before the material is laid out it is important to measure the amount needed in order to cover the entire selected area.

When laying out water underfloor heating pipes it is important to remove air from the system before first use.  This is done in the same way as in a regular water radiator system. Testing the thermostat is also important before final use. When first using the system, it is advised to raise the temperature gradually over a number of days so as not to overload the system.

If you like to walk around your house barefoot, then you will know that the sensation of stepping on to warm tiled floors is absolute bliss. Underfloor heating feels like a real luxury. Whereas radiators heat a room through convection, allowing hot air to rise to the ceiling and then to fall as it cools, underfloor heating is much more efficient.  It radiates heat more evenly throughout a room and will keep your feet warm and the environment at the set temperature. The way that heat rises evenly throughout the whole room is very pleasant compared to the hotspots, cool zones and draughts created with traditional heating systems. Also, an underfloor heating kit is a perfect solution when you are building an extension or conservatory, as it is easier to install, doesn’t require wall space and is separately controlled.

Underfloor heating systems are controlled by programmable thermostats that control the temperature in every room, making them extremely flexible. They can be set to lower temperatures than conventional central heating to achieve the same level of comfort. The lack of radiators and pipes in a room with electric underfloor heating keeps it free from visual clutter as well as being easier to clean. This means that when designing room layouts the positioning of components such as pipes and heaters does not restrict you. Underfloor heating is hidden, but the controls are accessible for easy maintenance. Best of all, the cost of installing floor heating is comparable to, and often less than conventional systems, particularly when building or renovating a home.

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.

Underfloor heating systems seem to be the best solution to heating a room; they are environmentally friendly and more cost effective than heating a room with the more traditional radiator systems. So are they really too good to be true or are there some downsides?

There is one downside relating to performance, but this can be got round by making small changes to heating habits. The problem is the time it takes to get the house warm. This is not an instant heat system and it does take over half an hour to warm up, which is obviously a pain if you are really cold. However this can be overcome by making sure you use a timer system and ensuring that you get the system to turn on at least thirty minutes before it is needed. Set the system to turn on well before anyone is likely to get out of bed in the morning and the problem is neatly avoided.

The only other downside and perhaps the reason why underfloor heating systems are not installed as standard in lots of new build developments, is the cost. On paper, when compared with a traditional central heating radiator system, this option is significantly more expensive, so developers are not going to install it. For the occupant of the house it is cheaper to run and maintain, but unless you are the one paying to have the system put in, you are unlikely to find them as standard.

There are lots of flooring covers that can be used in rooms that have underfloor heating, but sadly carpet isn’t one of them. Therefore, if you cannot bear the thought of not having carpet underfoot then underfloor heating probably isn’t for you. This type of heating system must be installed under materials that will use the warmth and conduct it so that the heat passes up into the room, materials like wood, tile, concrete and laminate are all excellent options and they are also clean and dust free, which is another benefit of underfloor heating.

Think about the reasons why you have a carpet, is it because you don’t like your bare feet stepping on cold floors when you first get up in the morning and carpet provides an insulating layer to the room that stops heat being lost through the floor? This is something it does extremely well, but with water underfloor heating you don’t need carpet. Floors are warm under foot, even tiled floors, and the heat cannot escape through the floor, because that is where it is emanating from. Insulation will have been used during the system’s installation to make sure the heat is always directed upwards. Carpet is also probably the hardest floor covering to clean, requiring regular vacuuming and if it becomes really bad, time consuming specialist shampooing may be necessary. Laminate, wood and tile, however, are much easier to clean as they can be mopped quickly and wiped with a damp cloth.

With Christmas approaching, none of us want to be afflicted with a major repair job in the Season of Goodwill, chiefly because goodwill could be amongst the first casualties, if this were to happen. As prevention is so often better than cure, here are a few simple DIY precautions for a worry-free holiday. They involve no painting and decorating, no plastering, no building, and certainly no architects.

Beginning with the outside, check the gutters, a small, portable compressed air jet can be an enormous help, here. Rotting, slimy, leaf grunge can freeze, making a dam, which will result in an overflowing gutter and water pouring all over your wall. Get rid, as soon as possible. Clear all your paths of leaf-fall and moss, they’re tricky when wet and utterly treacherous when frozen. If you’re worried about suspiciously lanky trees outside your property, inform the council and get them to cut them back. If they’re in your garden, cut back any overhanging branches that could bludgeon your property in high winds.

Inside the house, the first and most pressing issue is to make sure you’ve had the boiler professionally serviced. Eating sandwiches and crisps on Christmas Day in thermal underwear and overcoats is unlikely to be much fun; if your boiler croaks, this could definitely be you. Plug draughty gaps in doors and windows with DIY-store draught excluders and you’ll stay warm and toasty.

None of this amounts to heavy-duty property development, of course, but together, these simple steps will keep you and your property warm and safe.

You may think that once you have taken the decision to have underfloor heating you have nothing left to worry about, but your work is not quite done yet. There are three main types of underfloor heating systems and you need to decide which is best for your property. Your choice will be determined by a number of factors, from the state of your property, is it a new build or is it an existing build that you want to have underfloor heating installed in. It may come down to money, whether you can afford the system you would prefer and many other factors.

The main options are wet underfloor heating and electric underfloor heating, which has two main subtypes. Wet underfloor heating uses a series of bent pipes to pump heated water under the floor and this is ideal for new build properties where flooring work has not yet commenced. Electrical underfloor heating offers a choice of heat cables and mats or carbon film heating elements. Heat cables and mats are great for use with tiled floors, as they work best with that type of material, while carbon film heating elements have been specially designed to work with laminate and wooden floors. Electric underfloor heating systems are also ideal for an existing build that needs a new heating system, as they are easy to install on pre-laid floors. To install the pipe work for wet underfloor heating, you would have little choice but to dig up the floor.