Finding the Perfect Radiator for Your Period Home

Restoring a period home can be a labour of love, with many UK homeowners committed to preserving their property’s historic charm. The heating is a big consideration as often the desire is for it to be consistent to the style of the building but with modern energy-efficiency. The Radiator Centre’s knowledgeable MD, Nick Duggan, talks us through the considerations when choosing radiators for Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian properties.

Victorian

Victorian Homes are the most common period homes in the UK and while they vary in size and grandeur, they do share some key characteristics. Common features amongst larger Victorian properties include wonderfully high ceilings with tall sash windows which, whilst attractive, can make it harder to keep rooms warm as the heat is allowed to rise. With this in mind, tall multi-column radiators (3 or 4 column) are ideal, as they fit with the scale of the room and can be made to emit more heat. Victorian terraces, however, tend to have limited space for radiators so long, low column radiators under sash windows are a great way to counter single glazing and draughty front doors.

Another key feature often found in Victorian homes is beautiful ornate detailing such as cornices, ceiling roses and cast-iron fireplaces. For these kinds of properties, a good choice could be a cast-iron design that features intricate scrollwork, floral motifs, or Rococo-style detailing. Cast-iron models were commonplace in wealthier Victorian homes and today’s models are designed with modern high standards of heat output and fuel economy, whilst still retaining their original charm and beauty.

Colour-wise something like an antique brass or bronze gives a rich, heritage feel, or a polished or burnished metal will help to highlight the detailing. You can also choose custom paint colours to enhance your interior scheme, with rich colours such as deep greens, burgundy and navy a popular choice for Victorian Homes.

Edwardian

Edwardian homes marked a shift away from the dense, heavily decorated Victorian architecture towards a lighter, more spacious and refined style. Taking this into account, Edwardian radiators typically have cleaner lines and more subtle embellishments, so look for styles which the retain traditional elegance while being slightly more understated. 

Edwardian homes were also designed with wider and shorter proportions; hence rooms tend to be broad with lower ceilings. These dimensions lend themselves well to handsome, wide, squat radiators, which can also fit neatly under sash windows, another common feature of the period.

Perhaps sadly, many beautiful Edwardian cast iron radiators were painted to blend in with the walls, rather than stand out as decorative features and so in terms of finish, a classic white or cream is an authentic choice. These colours do also help to enhance the homes’ lighter, airier feel. Alternatively, if you prefer to make more of a feature of your chosen design, you could consider a subtle pewter, brass or nickel tone, which would still align with the refined elegance of Edwardian interiors.

Georgian

Whilst radiators were rare in Georgian homes as central heating wasn’t yet commonly available, consideration still needs to be given for those renovating one of these elegant houses today. Looking at their proportions, Georgian homes typically have high ceilings so taller, multi-column radiators are a sensible choice, providing excellent heat distribution, as well as fitting the space.  

Like Edwardian homes, interiors tended to be elegant but not overly ornate so avoid highly decorative styles in favour of smooth, classical lines. When looking at colours, Georgian homes were usually light so something like a white or off-white will blend naturally with pale wall colours.

Perhaps the most defining feature of Georgian architecture was its symmetry and so whichever design you choose, the placement is also key. Georgian homes are all about balance and proportion, so by placing your radiator or radiators symmetrically in the room you will be honouring the style of the period.