Managing director compares cast-iron radiators

Phil Jackson, managing director of Feature Radiators, compares cast-iron reproduction radiators with reclaimed radiators.

Reproduction radiators should come with a manufacturer's guarantee and should be tested to the European EN442 standard.

This provides assurance that the product has passed rigorous testing and is deemed fit for purpose.

EN442 is also verification that the heat outputs stated are accurate.

Reproduction radiators can be built to order, which means that customers can specify the right size radiator for a room, in terms of both heat output and dimensions, and they can obtain matching radiators in the correct sizes for use throughout the house.

According to Jackson, achieving this using reclaimed radiators would need a lot of good luck and patience.

He believes that reproduction radiators are the easier choice - radiators arrive on site (in primer or painted finish), ready to plumb in.

Reclaimed radiators, on the other hand, can be picked up at low cost, although customers should be aware of the extra labour and time involved in renovating and transporting them.

However, they can be found in interesting and unique designs.

Jackson said that it is necessary to check the recent history of a reclaimed radiator.

In particular, customers should make sure that reclaimed radiators have come off a working system and that they have been stored indoors to avoid frost damage.

They do not usually come with a manufacturer's guarantee.

Whether customers opt for reclaimed or reproduction radiators, they should not power-coat cast-iron radiators as the process can damage the seals between radiator sections, according to Jackson.

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