The relaxation area, at the same time intimate, should look clean and please the eye - this is about the bathroom. And it should always be warm and comfortable here. And a heated towel rail helps maintain these two components of comfort.
It’s hard to imagine the interior of a modern bathroom without a heated towel rail
Modern heated towel rails for the bathroom
The heated towel rail in the bathroom (photo) looks like a curved pipe built into the hot water supply system, where it constantly circulates, maintaining a high temperature. That’s why this permanent element of bathrooms makes it easy to dry towels and more. And in places with harsh winters, the function of heating the room is also especially appreciated. In addition, there is a technical side to the issue: the design radiator is a compensating loop in the hot water supply system.
A heated towel rail will reduce the humidity level in the bathroom
Nowadays, manufacturers produce many models of heated towel rails of a wide variety of shapes and designs.
Modern heated towel rails in the bathroom interior are also a stylistic addition to the overall design. But large sizes do not always make it possible to place it in small apartments (Khrushchev-era buildings, for example).
The water heated towel rail is connected to a regular pipeline
As for the water heated towel rail, the choice is somewhat limited by domestic manufacturers. As for electric radiators, the opposite is true. Domestic and foreign manufacturers supply a wide range of these products to the market. Separately, it is necessary to note the combined version, which is especially relevant for houses where hot water is turned off during the summer.
The operation of an electric heated towel rail does not depend on the presence of hot water in the heating pipes
Convenient model of electric dryer with rotating rods
It is important to know!
When purchasing a device for an apartment in a multi-story building, it is worth taking into account pressure loads from 8 to 12 atmospheres in the overall heating system.
In a private house with autonomous heating, the heated towel rail fittings must withstand a load of about 4 atmospheres. Be sure to take these parameters into account when selecting a dryer.
The duration of operation also depends on where you bought the heated towel rail for the bathroom.
You should not purchase plumbing equipment on the market; it is better to choose highly specialized plumbing stores. Cheap products will only cause trouble.
The diameters of the heated towel rail pipes and the heating system must match. Then you won't need an additional adapter.
When purchasing, ALWAYS make sure that you have a technical passport and warranty for the product from the manufacturer. All products must be labeled.
The cross-sectional geometry of the pipes must be perfectly round, and the threads must be smooth and without jagged edges.
Decorative and practical functions of a heated towel rail
In the difficult conditions of a bath, where washing, cleaning, and procedures are regular, it is difficult to achieve a normal microclimate even with the help of good ventilation. And humidity is a fabulous environment for the development of colonies of microbes and mold. The metal becomes rusty and the wooden elements begin to rot. Connecting a heated towel rail prevents destructive phenomena because:
- the air is always dry;
- mold and rot are afraid of dry conditions;
- equipment and furniture last longer.
A heated towel rail can play the role of an important decorative element in the bathroom interior
In addition to establishing a comfortable temperature and the ability to dry things, this is also a wonderful decor, since the design of modern radiators is charming.
Floor dryer made of brass pipes
Modern bathroom with frame-type heated towel rails
Which heated towel rail to choose
That snake-like pipe, which we have seen in our parents’ bathrooms since childhood, is classified as a water heated towel rail. Cost-effectiveness is one of their positive aspects (electrics are more expensive). But it is not possible to adjust the heating. In case of problems with it (mechanical accident), there is a risk of flooding not only your own, but also your neighbor’s bathtub.
The design of the towel rail should be in harmony with the interior of the bathroom
The materials for the manufacture of water heated towel rails, as in the photo in the bathroom, are used differently - brass, steel, stainless steel. This is a guarantee of strength and durability. They operate from a hot water supply system and require compliance with standards and proper care (proper installation of a correctly selected radiator that can withstand increased water pressure and resist corrosion).
Water heated towel rails are made from various materials, but the most popular is stainless steel, which can be polished, chrome-plated or coated with a decorative composition
Another type of design radiator is electric. It operates from the mains and does not consume much power (like a regular light bulb). The heating elements are filled with water or oil. The thermostat switch allows you to regulate its operation. The temperature in the bathroom can be maintained in the range of 5-30 degrees plus. The cost of the equipment is quite decent.
The electric model is convenient because it can be easily hung in a convenient place next to an outlet, but in small bathrooms it is almost impossible to install an outlet in accordance with safety requirements.
Installation location
The location of electric heated towel rails depends on the output of the electrical source. Their location must be determined at the design stage. Then, when laying the wiring, it will be possible to bring out the wires exactly in the place where the device will be located. If the finishing is complete or you are replacing the old radiator, the new one will have to be hung next to the existing outlet.
For water and combined models the situation is somewhat more complicated. Here you need to focus on the location of the hot water supply pipes. Often a sink is placed next to them and you have to hang a heated towel rail directly above it, which is very inconvenient. If the device is connected to the heating system, as a rule, choose a place opposite the bathtub. Another good placement idea is above the washing machine. The worst option is above the toilet when it comes to a combined bathroom. Towels can fall and get dirty at any time. It is also better not to place a radiator above the bathtub, as splashes of water will fall on the towels.
Sizes of heated towel rails and their power: choosing the right option for the bathroom
When choosing and purchasing a heated towel rail, not only the technical side of the issue is important. Size matters too. And it starts from the area of the bathroom. Standard is a relative concept here. Manufacturers study the needs of customers in the market and, based on such information, manufacture radiators.
If you really need a massive heated towel rail, match its color to the bathroom walls. This model will “dissolve” in the interior and will not clutter up the space
Correctly selected power will make it possible to completely heat the room. In the case of good insulation, when calculating the power, you need to multiply 80 W by the area of the bathroom. For poor insulation, this figure increases to 130. Do not forget that there will be something drying on the radiator, so add 20% to the final figure. Thus, the minimum room temperature will be 24 degrees.
Nuances of choice
In addition to the material of execution and configuration, the main technical points:
- connection diameter;
- center distance;
- connection type;
- manufacturer;
- location of water sockets or fittings on the riser;
- dimensions and interior design;
- availability of additional options.
With a limited renovation budget in secondary apartments, the distance between the axes of the outlets from the riser and the diameter of these pipes are measured. A PS with exactly the same dimensions is purchased, the old device is dismantled, and the new product is installed in its regular place.
At this stage, you can choose a reliable company with good reviews. Since all manufacturers have products of P, M, MP, PL shaped configurations.
A slightly more complicated option is to screw fittings onto old pipes to change the connecting diameter in order to connect a new heated towel rail with different dimensions. The main advantage is that you can use the PS model you like.
A new building apartment may already have water sockets for connecting a substation. In this option, you will have to select the diameter and center-to-center dimensions especially carefully and use eccentrics in the same way as installing a mixer.
If you plan to install water outlets yourself, you can safely buy any good ladder model. The lower video with a detailed overview of the PS will help you figure out the remaining minor nuances.
Thus, the rating of heated towel rails presented to your attention will save you from studying at least ten websites of leading manufacturers. All necessary dimensions and additional information are already indicated in it.
Forms of heated towel rails, their features
A heated towel rail in a bathroom interior, as in the photo, should suit the style and at the same time fulfill its functional duties. Modern products come in a variety of forms:
- horseshoe;
- ladder;
- coil.
U- or U-shaped models are the most inexpensive and simple in shape, have a small “usable area” and are therefore ineffective
When choosing a heated towel rail, take into account the dimensions of the bathroom. In a small room it is better to give preference to compact M-shaped models
Ladder - a heated towel rail consisting of several horizontal bars connected by vertical collectors
The coating is also different: enamel, chrome, “gold-like”. Prices are directly dependent on the technological features of manufacturing. Representatives of the domestic industry produce U- and M-shaped chrome-plated products. However, you can also find a “ladder” option - transverse crossbars of straight and convex shape. M-shaped rotary models are also produced. They are designed for 15 atmospheres, although they can withstand tests of more than 20.
Chrome heated towel rail with clear geometric shapes
Foreign manufacturers spoil you with an assortment. A convenient design with three crossbars and different distances from the wall is convenient for drying things, since they do not touch. Finnish manufacturers produce S-, M-, and U-shaped options with different center distances. In Germany, radiators are made with a combination of round and square pipes, equipped with hooks for robe. However, when choosing, you should carefully study the technical specifications.
The combination of a heated towel rail with a heating radiator is an interesting solution for a bathroom in a country house
A heated towel rail is an indispensable attribute of a modern bathroom, which is designed to perform the functions of creating a constant comfortable temperature, drying small items and a design element.
A homemade heated towel rail made of copper pipes and plates is a suitable option for a loft-style interior
Recommendations from professionals
In order to get the expected result when developing the design of curtains for the bedroom, you should take into account the geometric shape and size of the openings, the width of the window sills, and the presence of a balcony door. These important details can be reflected when decorating a room.
It is advisable to decorate non-standard attic windows with roller blinds or heavy double-layer curtains. Stationary curtains made from solid fabric cuts will expressively highlight the window in the bay window.
If there is a balcony door, you should maintain the possibility of unobstructed access to the balcony. To do this, you can use a model with a lifting mechanism. For the sliding curtain option, one side is secured with tiebacks to special fasteners on the wall surface.
When choosing curtains for a bedroom with an area of less than fifteen square meters, you should use light-colored fabrics. This will visually expand the space, create an atmosphere of comfort and coziness.
Using cool shades of blue will create a favorable atmosphere of peace and spaciousness in the bedroom. Curtains in bright colors will help create an optimistic mood and a good mood for the owner.
For a traditional rectangular window there are no restrictions in choosing the style and color of curtains. Windows in the attic part of the building look more beautiful with roller blinds. To decorate windows in a bay window, a good option would be to use a fixed curtain design. Straight fabric sheets are placed in the walls. They successfully emphasize the shape of the window, leaving the broken line of the wall in the background.
