There are countless different materials available to build your radiator out of, so why aluminium radiators? What’s made them so popular?
Having various options, from aluminium, cast iron, mild steel and stainless steel, and then various metal finishes like chrome and anthracite, has made the radiator metal market somewhat overcrowded.
Every material has its benefits and shortfalls, each giving a certain attribute which other metals cannot. So, what has led to aluminium becoming one of the most used materials for radiators in the country? There are many to choose from, and finding the right material for your radiator all depends on the BTU of your property or space, yet time and time and again aluminium crops up as one of the most frequently purchased radiators in the world.
But before you decide on purchasing an aluminium radiator or aluminium towel radiator. The question you should ask, (especially when faced with someone trying to flog you a material to build your heating unit from) is “Which material is right for you?”
Whilst aluminium radiators are incredibly popular, would they be the right choice for your space?
Below you’ll find not only the benefits of an aluminium radiator but some problems you may encounter as well.
The Lux Heat Lincoln features a range of RAL & special finishes along with a 10-year warranty.
A Bit About Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the most abundant metals in the earth's crust. (Having made up about 8% of the earth's crust.) This startlingly plentiful metal makes a great choice for radiators on its ample supply alone.
Aluminium is a metal which is used much in the transport industry due to its resistance to corrosion and its easy ability to be alloyed with other metals. It’s lightweight and malleability has made it perfect for humans to use in many applications. These include bike frames, food packaging and even for the construction of airplanes.
As it can be easily moulded into different shapes, it means that the designs available for aluminium radiators are vast. This is another reason why aluminium is so popular.
When Did Aluminium Become Popular?
When radiators began to branch out from their original cast iron roots in the modern world, the aluminium radiator model began to be explored when the metal itself found wider popularity in the mid-20th century. Though not as hardy as cast iron radiators, they have many other positives and are more affordable and come in a wider range of designs.
The easy manufacture and the abundance of the metal aided this, and nowadays you can find aluminium radiators of all shapes and sizes.
Positives Of Aluminium Radiators
The Reina Neval Aluminium Radiators provide brilliant heat outputs at low prices. It can also have towel bars added for extra function.
So, what would make an aluminium radiator the right choice for you? Remember that it should come down to what is needed for your property and how this radiator could heat your space. BTU is important to remember, so before deciding on any radiator, no matter the material, you should work out the BTU output required to heat your space. To do this you can use our free and easy BTU Calculator.
Easy To Install & Lightweight
Aluminium radiators are nifty in that they’re incredibly easy to install. In part, this is due to their malleability as a lightweight metal and the fact that they can be alloyed for extra strength with metals such as nickel. The aluminium radiator is one of the most flexible and one of the most lightweight out of all radiators. Have you noticed how many contemporary bike frames are made from aluminium? This is because aluminium has a very low mass and makes whatever it’s used for that extra bit easier to handle manually.
Efficiency & Rapid Heating
Aluminium is a brilliant conductor and due to its ability to heat up quickly, is great for a quick blast of warmth in your property.
We’ve all been there, entering the property in the height of winter and the heating is off. It can be a frustrating wait for the room to warm up, especially when we are in dire need of it.
Whether you’re looking for a small aluminium radiator or a large one, the speed at which the aluminium radiator will become hot means that you’ll not have to endure the cold for long at all.
Eco-Friendly Materials
The Carisa Otto is a unique electric radiator. It has high heat outputs, a sleek design & includes useful towel space. All at low prices!
Aluminium is one of the most recyclable metals out there. This means that investing in an aluminium radiator is a definitive guilt-free way of making your home or office eco-friendly and not to mention, this also makes them that much more affordable.
If you really want to be fully Eco-Friendly then we highly recommend the aluminium electric radiator, these electric radiators come in a wide range of designs and rather than using gas boilers, they are powered by electricity. Our electric radiators provide quick heat outputs and with their added energy-saving features, can save you on your heating bills over the year.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of electric radiators vs central heating radiators please read this useful blog.
Low In Price
The price of aluminium radiators is brilliant compared to some of the other materials. As aluminium is so plentiful and recyclable, it means you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the rarity of the materials. Due to this, aluminium radiators are some of the most affordable on the market.
If you are looking for an affordable radiator and you are limited to a budget then we highly recommend you take a look at our range of high-quality radiators at discounted prices on our sales page.
We have a fantastic range including heated towel rails and electric radiators. All with a wide range of finish and size options. Our Lux Heat Radiators on sale also include a fantastic 10-year warranty.
Negatives Of Aluminium Radiators
There are a few difficulties you could have when investing in an aluminium radiator, every up has a down. Although they are still some of the most practical radiators to buy for your property, they can still pose problems.
Not As Durable
Due to their lightweight nature and high conductivity, aluminium radiators are a little bit more reactive than their cast iron radiator counterparts. Whilst they are flexible and easy to install you could be looking at a shorter shelf life for the material. That being said, a short shelf life for a radiator could still give you well over a decade of use.
Rapid Heat Up Means A Quicker Cool Down
The Reina Flox Stainless Steel Radiator features high heat outputs & retention. It includes 25-year warranty for comfort.
Aluminium radiators are quick to heat up, meaning quicker heat and satisfaction. One downside of this is that they also cool down quickly.
This means that they are less useful in larger spaces, where you may want a gradual build-up of heat rather than a short sharp burst. Consider the size of your room and how well-insulated it is before investing in an aluminium radiator.
If you are looking for a radiator with higher heat retention for longer warmth we recommend our stainless steel radiators or cast iron radiators. These radiators are more suited for larger rooms and can stay warm a lot longer after being turned off, for lasting and comfortable warmth.
A favourite place to install an aluminium radiator is the kitchen, this is usually because the room can be cold when prepping food for dinner, but then quickly heats up with the oven or steam from hot water.
So an aluminium radiator is great while you are preparing food and then can be switched off once the room warms up through other appliances.
Shorter Warranties
Aluminium radiators usually carry shorter warranties than cast iron radiators or stainless steel radiators. Aluminium usually has around 5 years and stainless steel most commonly carries 25 years guarantee. This means that though aluminium radiators are cheaper at first purchase, you might notice you're replacing them earlier. If you want something that has more shelf life and is more corrosion resistant, along with rust and peeling resistant then we recommend stainless steel radiators.
Speak To Our Team Of Specialist For Advice
We have a wide range of radiators on sale if you are looking for a budget-friendly radiator. Our sale includes mild steel and aluminium radiators, along with a stunning range of coloured towel radiators and painted radiators to match your interior effortlessly.
If you have any questions regarding our radiator materials, or if you would like help choosing an efficient radiator for your space please contact our team today. We have award-winning customer service and years of experience to help you with any radiator inquiries.
