There’s a myth that’s been circling the radiator world for many years now; it goes that the colour that a radiator is painted in affects its heat performance. But is it really true that the coloured radiator doesn't provide as much heating as the standard radiator?
This Lux Heat Coloured Column Radiator is available in a huge range of finishes while still giving brilliant heat outputs.
Do Painted Radiator Colours Make A Difference?
The thinking goes that, for instance, a black-painted model – whatever its manufacturer, whether it’s a Reina radiator or Lux Heat, for instance, or any other make – is bound to be capable of emitting more heat and better than one painted white, presumably because black’s the best colour, in general, for absorbing heat. Is there any truth in it; frankly, no.
What About The Reflective Finish?
Others too believe that an important factor in this regard is how reflective the finish of a unit is; that is, the shinier its surface, the less heat it’ll be able to radiate. To be more precise, some believe chrome radiators or stainless steel radiators provide lower heat outputs than the same radiators with a paint finish. Again, when it comes down to it, this isn’t true either.
A matte black radiator, no matter the manufacturer, isn’t going to deliver more heat – or be more efficient – than a white radiator of the exact same design and size.
Why Doesn’t Colour Affect How Well a Radiator Emits Heat?
The Lux Heat Flat has a single design or a double for higher heat outputs. It comes in many finish options and thanks to the design you'll still receive exceptional heating no matter the colour.
Fundamentally, the answer to this lies in understanding how radiators work. To an extent, they operate via radiative heating, a form of heat transfer that sees their surfaces emit thermal radiation; itself an electromagnetic wave that can be absorbed by the other surfaces in a room – and scientifically speaking, black surfaces tend to emit radiative heating better than those of other colours.
However, radiators rely more on convective heating than radiative heating; the former then sees a unit heating the air in front of and around it, which enables the air (once it's heated) to rise, while cooler air is drawn from below towards the radiator and heated. Once the warmer, higher air cools, it descends and, as cooler air, is then drawn to the radiator and heated again – and so the process repeats itself over and again.
To that end then, by far the most important element in all this is not the colour or finish of the radiator, but the radiator surface’s contact with the air around it and the efficiency at convective heating. Despite all this, some may suggest that the surface itself, when coated by (a) certain layer(s) of paint or finish may affect its convective efficiency; yet, in all truth, you’re talking about a negligent effect at best. Or worse; whichever way you look at it.
It's All In The BTU Output & Placement
What is way, way more important is to ensure you have the right sort of radiator installed in a room – and in the right position in a room (often under a window, if possible, to best enhance the convective heating process) – which means choosing the correct model according to the dimensions of your room and its own dimensions.
It’s all about ensuring the unit you purchase is capable of providing the correct heat output (measured in British thermal units; commonly referred to as BTUs), which you can settle on with the help of using an online radiator vendor’s free-to-use BTU Calculator, just like the one you’ll find on our website.
What Coloured Radiators Are Available?
So then, happily, the reality is that when you’re talking about radiators and colour, it all comes down to whatever takes your fancy. And that opens you up to an extremely broad spectrum of coloured radiators and coloured towel radiators. We even have a range of coloured electric radiators if you're looking to be more eco-friendly.
At Designer Radiators Direct, we have a huge selection of bespoke painted radiators and coloured towel radiators. These include;
White Radiators
The classic look for most radiators. white radiators are typically chosen as they can easily blend with interiors and brighten the room.
Anthracite Grey Radiators
Anthracite radiators are becoming incredibly popular among interior designers for their ability to fit beautifully into any aesthetic while boosting the luxury look of your property. They’re stylish and not too dark or too light.
Black Radiators
Black radiators are great for adding contrast to a property. They can boost the look of your space while matching modern aesthetics and traditional interiors.
Chrome Radiators / Stainless Steel Radiators
When you think of chrome, you might think of chrome towel radiators. But chrome is becoming increasingly popular in other rooms of the property. Chrome radiators brighten your interior and give the appearance of a larger space.
For a similar look why not take a look at our stainless steel towel radiators, these are available in a brushed or polished finish and some manufacturers offer a range of colours like brass, gold etc. Stainless steel radiators are known for their durability and resistance to corrosion and rust, so if you're looking for a shining radiator that lasts then a stainless steel radiator is for you.
RAL / Special Coloured Radiators
You have a wide choice of bespoke painted radiators to choose from. Each manufacturer offers their own range of RAL and Special colours so you can have a radiator more tailored for your aesthetic. Visit our brands page to see what finishes each manufacturer offers.
If you're looking for bright and bold colours for a coloured radiator, then take a look at the Lux Heat range. Many of our coloured radiators come in bold and vibrant colours or more subtle finishes to match your interior. But we also offer a colour matching service on a range of our designer radiators, all you need to do is give us a call with the RAL colour you want and we can see if it can be put on our radiators.
Can’t Find What You're Looking For?
Love the idea of a coloured radiator but you're on a budget? Then not to worry, we have a wide selection of radiators for sale that come in a range of finishes, including our Lux Heat coloured radiators that are on sale and include a 10-year warranty.
If you have any questions regarding our custom radiators or coloured radiators then please contact us today. We have an award-winning customer service team that can help you find your perfect radiator.
