Towel Radiators

A heated towel rail warms towels and contributes to heating the room. The order of those two matters more than most people realise.

Be realistic about heat output

Towel rails put out considerably less heat than a panel radiator of the same size — the bars have far less surface area, and a towel draped over one blocks much of what is left. In anything larger than a small bathroom, a towel rail alone will usually not heat the room adequately.

Check the BTU output against your room's requirement rather than choosing on appearance. Many bathrooms need a towel rail and a radiator, or underfloor heating.

Central heating, electric or dual fuel?

• Central heating — plumbs into your existing system, cheapest to run, but off when the heating is off.
• Electric — works independently, so you can dry towels in summer. Dearer per unit of heat.
• Dual fuel — both, and the most flexible if you can accommodate the wiring.

Shape and finish

Straight ladder rails are the standard. Curved rails suit contemporary rooms and hold towels slightly away from the wall. Chrome reflects light well but outputs a little less than a painted rail the same size; anthracite and matt black have become the modern default.

Valves are separate

Most rails are supplied without them — see towel radiator valves, and check whether your pipes call for angled, straight or corner.