Cast iron retro heating radiators for a modern apartment

Many had an idea about the appearance of a cast-iron radiator in the experience of old houses - bulky "accordions" with dubious thermal output. However, when visiting thermal equipment stores, it is found that modern models have a very attractive appearance. Rather, they are suitable for the category of design radiators than they are related to the batteries of the Soviet era. This is not just an imitation of the best vintage designs, but a completely modernized cast-iron radiators in retro style.

Cast iron radiator - one of the best options for batteries for the home

The evolution of the design of retro cast iron radiators

Initially, all radiators were cast iron, this choice was justified by the reaction of the metal to oxidation. They warm up for a long time, but they can keep heat after a shutdown much longer than other products. In Soviet times, they did not attach importance to aesthetics, practicality and profitability were appreciated.

For many years it was a non-alternative battery option. Over time, they were replaced by aluminum, steel and copper models. For fans of the classics, they came up with cast-iron “retro-design” radiators that compete in beauty with bimetallic heating equipment.

New heating appliances look very respectable. Noble aesthetics make it possible to adapt these models to any historical interior style:

• English conservatism;
• restrained classics;
• Empire
• baroque;
• rococo;
• Renaissance.

Decorative soldering radiator

Artistic casting, pattern soldering and painting with imitation of patina makes this kind of batteries desirable for admirers of vintage luxury. It is almost a work of art, talented artists and designers put their efforts into their creation.

Helpful advice! Although modern cast-iron models are mainly produced on legs (floor-mounted version), when connecting to heating pipes, it is advisable to hide all the elements of the lower eyeliner. To do this, use gating on the wall and laying pipes behind hollow skirting boards.

In specialized stores, shutoff valves are available in a large assortment. A wide selection of valves is available in retro. They will not contrast with the heating appliance. Cast iron radiators perfectly adapt to rooms with marble, wild stone and wood finishes.

A suitable “filling” from the Retro Styl line is offered by some foreign brands, such as Carlo Poletti. Most of the designer retro-models are offered in a complete set - with all shut-off valves, rotary nozzles and couplings.

Comparison of cast iron samples with other varieties

Considering the technical parameters of the cast iron radiator MS, the ratio of price and quality, customers increasingly prefer models with a vintage design. They are slightly more expensive than conventional batteries, but design cast iron radiators with patterned soldering will decorate any hallway, bedroom or living room.

Antique radiators come in many sizes

Cast iron models do not have a smooth inner surface, like steel and bimetallic radiators - the mud sediment of the coolant is more deposited on the walls. But they are easier to dismantle for purging or flushing, and modern connecting elements provide absolute tightness.

Reminder! Cast iron models have a high resistance to pressure increase and sharp temperature changes.

Batteries made of steel and aluminum are less durable than cast iron. They are prone to the appearance of internal rust, leaks (with water hammer) and depressurization (with a sharp jump in pressure in the system). Upon contact with copper, aluminum becomes more brittle, galvanic compounds and acid fumes accelerate corrosion. Cast iron is most inert to significant deviations of the acid-base medium of the coolant.

High efficiency, excellent performance and high esthetics justify the prices of cast iron radiators. However, the performance depends on many factors, including the correct calculation of power and the connection method, which is best entrusted to professionals. In summer, when the heating is turned off, you can enjoy the attractive appearance of the "retro", without thinking about the process of corrosion from air and moisture inherent in steel models.

Advantages and disadvantages

The appearance of modern cast-iron batteries impresses with variety - from minimalism to elaborate Baroque designs. Someone will like the aesthetics of the STI Nova 500 cast-iron radiator for 7-10 sections, while others are closer to the design of the Viadrus radiators. Functionally, all these samples are ordinary batteries with a number of positive characteristics:

• resistance of heavy metal to corrosion;
• the longest operation - with proper installation, they will last 2 generations;
• the need for maintenance and purging for a long period if the filter is installed on the coolant;
• retro cast-iron radiators - ideal for combined heating (underfloor heating + fan heater) in cold climates;
• a wide range of models of different formats, volumes and throughputs of the coolant;
• the wide connecting passages characteristic of modern models are less clogged by organic sediment and calcium deposits;
• well-thought-out design - a guarantee of reliable operation at elevated temperatures of the circulating liquid turning into a vapor state;
• fully equipped with fittings, a Mayevsky crane and control valves increase the efficiency of the heating system;
• high-quality factory painting with heat-resistant compositions with baking or powder spraying eliminates cracking of the surface layer;
• the price of cast-iron design radiators is compensated by their efficiency and long-term operation without repair.

The radiator must be equipped with a bleed valve.

Each type of heating equipment has drawbacks, including the popular models of cast-iron radiators of the Nova 500 type, 7 sections:

• batteries made of this metal weigh a lot, but it matters only during transportation and installation;
• difficulties with fastening heavy multi-section batteries to fragile walls (it is advisable to purchase floor models);
• Automated thermal management schemes require adapted to the high inertia of cast-iron models (the battery warms up for a long time at startup);
• suggest a certain working pressure in a closed gravity loop;
• large volume - longer filling the tank with coolant;
• patterned elements and stiffeners accumulate dust and require frequent cleaning;
• à la retro design products are more expensive than conventional batteries.

Helpful advice! When installing heavy cast iron batteries on the legs, metal washers should be provided under the floor to prevent the surface from being forced through.

Selection of cast iron retro radiators with miscalculation of power

When choosing equipment for a modern home, it is important to familiarize yourself with the technical description for the model. It necessarily indicates the thermal return.

It is logical that a 7-section carbon radiator will have less power than 12, in the description for the device indicators for 1 section are often indicated. The standard "MS 140" for an apartment is 7-8 sections for a bedroom or a nursery, 9-12 is enough for a 3x9 living room or a standard hall of 16-20 square meters. m

For a wall of foam concrete (another lightweight material), it is better to choose options on the legs. The most important characteristics:

• height, width and depth of sections;
• Efficiency (power).

Foot cast iron battery

They proceed to the choice of design and format, having decided on the indicators of thermal power - this is the ratio of the efficiency of the battery and the heated volume per unit time. There are special programs for settlements for non-standard premises:

• two-story cottage;
• loft apartments;
• studio apartment;
• large-scale construction without partitions.

When choosing a model, it is important in which niche the cast-iron retro-heating radiator will be installed. The standard for distances to adjacent walls and floors must be maintained. It is important that the cold air masses flowing from the windowsill to the battery are quickly distributed over the metal surface.

Recommendations of specialists on secondary parameters

The design of the retro-battery should organically fit into the interior of the room. Reliability is guaranteed by the manufacturer, so you should not consider cheap Chinese offers in a market stall. Often the description does not correspond to the real indicators - how much it weighs, the power of 1 section or the entire unit, the life of the unit.

1. If the battery you like barely fits in the window sill or, on the contrary, sticks out strongly due to the depth of the sections, it is better to choose a more compact import model or an analogue of Russian production.
2. It is possible to clarify the thermal return of the model when buying so that it does not have to build up sections, but it may not be the same units.
3. It is important to determine your preferred color - manufacturers in the catalogs offer at least 4-5 color variations.
4. Often through the distribution network provide the opportunity to make wholesale delivery in the same style for the entire cottage. If there is no preference, by default they will send a gray version, which corresponds to a primer for metal. When ordering domestic batteries, it is important to study all the parameters, find the option “color solutions”.

You can paint the radiator at home

Attention! Radiators can be repainted in the preferred color so that they blend in with the background of the walls, olive or purple, if not in the catalog. Products from the manufacturer Iron Lion come with a black primer by default.

Having solved all the issues, do not forget to clarify the presence of valves. Design gates can be selected in the "accessories" sections, often some of the components must be replaced (a specific type of installation and connection).

Vintage style radiator painting

When purchasing heaters of original design, it is important to carefully examine the factory paint. If everything is done according to the technology, then enamel should not leave traces of pressing with a fingernail. Quality products are treated with heat-resistant compounds that are resistant to mechanical stress.

The trend is solid retro-style cast iron batteries with soldered metal or fully imitating more expensive metal:

• bronze;
• copper;
• silver;
• chrome plating;
• Gold leaf.

Other colors look luxurious - beige and all shades of chocolate, this is a universal solution for batteries, in addition to white, black and metallic design. If desired, the radiator can be repainted at home by choosing a paint for metal.

The guarantee of the quality of painting is only for trusted brands from Russia and from trusted companies listed on the world market. These are vintage-style cast-iron radiators from Turkey and the Czech Republic, Spain and Britain, Italy and Germany.Exclusive design and high quality are also offered by companies with their own custom-made production - Demir Dokum (Turkey), Chappee (France), Carron (Great Britain) and Fakora (Poland).