Frequently Asked Questions

1. How will my radiator be delivered?

Depending on your location, delivery will be either a kerbside pallet service—requiring two people on site to carry the radiators into the property—or a premium service where we place each radiator in your chosen room. Kerbside delivery costs £125 per pallet + VAT. The number of radiators per pallet depends on their size and quantity.

Image: The American Radiator Company’s Italian Flue Plain

 

 

A restored Italian Flue Plain.

2. What warranty do you offer on your radiators?

Our Ironshield Warranty covers reclaimed cast iron radiators supplied by us against defects for 25 years from the date of delivery, provided the central heating system meets applicable standards such as BS 7593. Should a defect arise within the warranty period, we will repair or replace the product at no charge. This warranty is transferable within six months of ownership transfer, with prior notification.

 

If you’ve tasked us with the refurbishment of your own antique radiators, there is a small risk of unintentional damage during refurbishment; in such cases, we will attempt to repair the radiator but cannot guarantee success. We may also uncover hidden issues, such as leaks revealed during paint removal, which will incur additional charges if repaired. Delays in refurbishment are possible due to the complexity of the work, and while our work is guaranteed for ten years, this does not extend to issues arising from pre-existing defects in the radiator.

 

Image:
The Decorated Radiator by the Beeston Boiler Company

3. Are original radiators compatible with modern central heating systems and heat pumps?

Yes, all of our cast iron radiators are fully compatible with modern hydronic, one and two-pipe steam heating systems and work exceptionally well with both air and ground-source heat pumps.

Image: The National Radiator Company’s Ideal Classic radiator. 

Neo-Hospital radiator by Ideal Standard.

4. How do I calculate the right size radiator for my room?

If you have the dimensions of the room you’d like to be heated, please email us the details at [email protected] and we can calculate the heat output and recommend the appropriate radiator size. We’ll also consider your heating system, whether it’s a combi boiler or heat pump, etc.

Image: The Ideal Plain 4 column by the National Radiator Company.

The Ideal Plain 4 column by the National Radiator Company.

5. Can I have any size of radiator?

With thousands of radiators in stock, it’s likely we have the perfect size for you. If not, we can custom-build radiators up to 2 metres in length.

Image: The Ideal Plain 4 column 18 inch radiator by the National Radiator Company. 

The Ideal Plain 4 column window radiator by the National Radiator Company.

6. We need several matching cast iron radiators. Is that possible?

Yes, with a stock of around 2,500 radiators, we can match radiators by size, style and finish to suit your needs.

Image: A pair of National radiators by the American Radiator Company.

pair-of-national-rads

7. Do reclaimed radiators require a specialist plumber to install?

No. Our radiators come ready with standard modern fittings, so any plumber can install them without any special tools or expertise.

Image: The polished Rococo radiator by the American Radiator Company. 

An American Radiator Company Rococo, restored by The Old Radiator Company.

8. Do you buy old radiators?

Yes, we’re always looking for more stock. Just email us at [email protected] with some details and images of your radiator, and we’ll see if it’s something we can purchase.

Pictured here is just some of our stock of vintage ready-to-be restored radiators.

The Old Radiator Company stock.

9. How do you restore the reclaimed radiators?

We begin by removing old fittings and thoroughly flushing the radiator. It is then sandblasted to remove any rust or paint. We fit new reducing bushes (for modern valves, if needed), pressure test to 8 bars (standard heating systems run at around 2 bars), and ensure all seals are secure. Finally, we either spray-paint or hand-polish the radiator, depending on your preference.

Image: A restored 3 column Duchess Radiator by the Beeston Boiler Company.

A restored Duchess radiator by the Beeston Boiler Company.