Retro-radiators: materials of performance and the advantages of radiators "antique"

Designers often find inspiration for a new interior in things that seemed to be given away to the past days. Retro-style radiators can be the main attribute of modern home design and its main peculiar highlight.

Today, radiators in many homes are still an indispensable source of heat.Modern models of aluminum alloy do not have a special design and perform purely practical functions. Most of them have an extremely low-key appearance, which merges with the surrounding interior and does not emphasize it. That is why retro-style radiators won the attention of lovers to diversify the interior with unusual things.

The battery, made "antique", through the efforts of designers and prototypes of radiators of Soviet times, which adorned the homes of wealthy citizens, can become an effective final touch to the interior of any style. Cast iron batteries with beautiful curved legs are becoming the choice of lovers of comfort and elegance in the design of the room.

Many major brands represent entire collections of similar products., among which it will not be difficult to find a suitable model for your home. You can also look at the craftsmen's fair, where you can buy refurbished and decorated products by hand. Especially creative individuals can independently acquire and bring to the desired look old radiators. This will help save money and spend time with benefit.

Cast iron radiators have lost their former popularity with the advent of aluminum alloy heaters. This is due to the fact that cast iron models have poor heat dissipation and they need much more time to heat the house, unlike new products. However, iron products have not completely disappeared from the modern market. Many companies offer a wide range of such products, placing the main focus on their appearance. Thus, traditional cast iron batteries gradually began to become a symbol of luxury and good taste of the homeowner.

Currently, when ordering a model, manufacturers give the buyer the opportunity to choose a ready-made design or order an individual one, using one of the following services:

• The acquisition of the base - products coated with only a layer of primer. The customer performs the subsequent painting himself or with the help of a professional in accordance with his wishes.
• Coloring battery "antique" with the application of the accompanying ornament on the entire surface or a separate part of the product.
• Coloring the model with two or more colors, with or without any drawing to choose from.
• Acquisition of a radiator in a monotonously restrained gamut of any shade with a glossy or matte surface.

The range provides products of any shape and size. Some companies provide cast iron model casting services according to individual drawings. And although retro batteries have a spectacular appearance, one should not forget that they are not only a decorative element, but also a heating component of the house.

It requires the same care as other cast iron accessories, namely:

• Regular cleaning of the sections and removing them from dust.
• Checking the battery before supplying water and adjusting the level of heat in accordance with the characteristics of a particular model.
• If necessary, the reconstruction of the appearance using heat-resistant paint (usually 1 time in 3-5 years).

Modern designers have managed to diversify the look of retro models, however, even with the help of high-tech equipment, it has not yet been possible to enhance the heat transfer of such batteries. This lies in the characteristics of the thermal conductivity of the material itself - gray cast iron.Many manufacturers solve the problem by increasing the volume of the radiator and tricky plexus sections. Batteries made of steel will have the best thermal conductivity; however, it is not easy to find retro versions of this material on the modern market.

The indisputable advantages of retro style heaters include:

• Spectacular appearance. Thanks to an interesting design and massive dimensions, the cast iron radiator becomes a colorful decorative element that can be used to emphasize the luxury and elegance inherent in the interior of a particular house.
• Durability of the material. Gray cast iron is resistant to the formation of corrosion and, together with the processing of an additional anti-corrosion solution, as well as proper care, can serve its owner for more than a dozen years.In addition, cast iron in combination with high-quality primer or epoxy enamel can not be burned or abraded, maintaining its high-quality appearance for many years.
• No threat of clogging. The channels of cast-iron ancient systems are quite wide, so all the garbage and suspensions carried by the water along the contour of the centralized heat supply network easily pass by them.
• Inertness Such batteries cool down for a long time, and accordingly keeping the heat level in the house longer.

The disadvantages of retro radiators include:

• Great weight. One section can weigh up to 6 kg, so their installation requires considerable effort. Because of this feature of cast iron batteries, they are not too long to avoid problems associated with the overload of the product. This can be a significant disadvantage for those who want to have radiators in a large number of sections.
• Bad heat dissipation. Unlike aluminum alloy models, cast iron products take longer to warm up the room.
• High price. Products from cast iron with a spectacular design are 2-3 times more expensive than modern low-end options.

For many buyers, the drawbacks of cast iron radiators compared to their positives do not seem to be so significant.The stylish configuration and design together with the other advantages of these models make them very popular among lovers of luxury and spectacular things.

Manufacturers, trying to interest the buyer, offer interesting retro-models of cast iron batteries. Among them, the most popular are:

• Radiators with an ornament. These are very interesting elegant models, whose design bears the charm of the rococo style. They look catchy and spectacular, so they are often the central exposition of room decor. The ornament can be three-dimensional or extra. Most often these are floristic motifs that capture the top and sides of a heating radiator. They can be made in any color at the request of the customer, but products with gold-plated or silver-plated ornaments are of particular relevance.
• Classic options. Purely “Soviet” models look too simple, however, with a successful appearance adjustment, the designer is popular with those who want to emphasize the distinctiveness of the Russian interior in their home. In combination with a bright palette, these options look very interesting and are able to bring lightness and comfort to the design of the house.

Retro batteries can also be divided according to the fixation method:

• Suspended. If there is a need to introduce the battery into the interior smoothly, then designers often resort to hanging models in this case. Using them is easier to organize a hidden connection. As a rule, they are “put on” on fasteners in the form of hooks, which are pre-mounted in the wall. Such retro-style radiators look more neat and unusual.
• On the legs. Since cast iron products have a high weight, the legs often become the optimal solution for easier and quicker installation of the radiator. It is enough to put the battery in the right place, and then connect it to the central heating system. When choosing such a model, it should be borne in mind that the floor should be as durable and stable as possible, without tilting - this will help avoid possible problems.

Depending on the type of sections, radiators can be:

• Sectional. They are in great demand because they have the possibility of increasing the battery before or during the operation process. This is very convenient if the available sections are suddenly not enough for a full-fledged high-quality heating of the room.
• Monolithic. There are less, but for practical qualities more reliable. The absence of joints minimizes the possibility of leakage. Usually they are made to order, casting a design idea for a particular case.

In the Russian Federation, the most popular manufacturers that manufacture vintage batteries are Radimax and Exemet. Their collections include interesting models of sectional heating sources made of cast iron with and without ornamentation. They look extremely aesthetically pleasing and are very popular not only among buyers in Russia, but also among customers of foreign countries. Their models have a great variety of color coverage. Used for closed systems and used for one-pipe and two-pipe heating devices. Working pressure - from 10 to 15 bar.

Among foreign brands, the following brands deserve special attention:

• Viadrus. The Czech company manufactures radiators in retro style with and without legs. The products of this company have positive reviews and are of high quality cast iron models.
• Demir dokum. Turkish company that positions its products as cast iron batteries with a high degree of heat transfer. The collection includes spectacular floor models.
• GuRaTec. The German manufacturer pleases its customers with a classic model range of radiators of a modest color palette.

Thus, despite the fact that cast iron products are inferior in heat transfer to modern models, and are also distinguished by a high price, their popularity is only growing. The range of modern brands attracts buyers with its attractive design. In addition, in addition to decoration, such products have masses of other positive characteristics that have been tested by time.

In the next video you will find the installation of a designer retro radiator Exemet.