Make and supplier of radiators

[JohnW2]

Hi folks,

Per other threads, I'm currently trying to decide what I need for 'a houseful of radiators',and have therefore been having a little looking/shopping around, primarily in terms of prices and availability - but I would also very much appreciate comments on quality etc.. I probably ought to look at some more specialist/trade suppliers,but I have so far just looked at Wickes, Toolstation and Screwfix, the suppliers I use most often, and they primarily offer "Homeline by Stelrad", Kudox and Flomasta rads respectively. For most, probably all, rads I will be using Type 22 ones mainly, possibly entirely, 500mm or 600mm high..

Toolstation and Screwfix prices are essentially identical (which I presume is not a coincidence), and slightly lower than Wickes prices.However, I get 10% discount from Wickes, and that takes the Wickes prices down to fractionally less than the other two sources. However, both Toolstation and Screwfix are currently offering free TRVs with all their rads - Toolstation is offering Pegler TRVs (which they usually sell for £24) and Screwfix is offering Flomasta TRVs (which they uauslly sell for £20).

Purely on cost, Wickes therefore loses out (even the cheapest (and nastiest?) of TRVs would pull their prices up to more than the other two places for rads+TRVs), with nothing really to choose between Toolstation and Screwfix - unless someone thinks that I should be swayed by the makes of TRVs they are offering for free.

However, there's a bit of a catch since, although the moist expensive, Wickes offers a wider range and more straightforward delivery. Wickrs offer all the sizes I would be likely to need, as does Screwfix. In terms of 500/600mm high ones, Toolstation offer almost nothing moire than 1400mm wide, and a good few of those I will need will probably be wider than that, whilst larger sizes from Screwfix are delivered from manufacturer (hence uncertain delivery dates),with a few medium-sized ones only available for collection in-store

So, any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated. Is there anything to choose, 'quality-wise' between the three makes of rad (or two makes of free TRVs)? Would it be worthwhile for me to look at other suppliers?

Kind Regards, John

 

[denso13]

For me, there's nothing much, if anything, between them. More importantly is a "proper" system, i.e. no air being drawn in, no leaks and filled with inhibitor.

Pegler get a better reputation, but again, in reality, not a deal breaker if you can get better sizes from screwfix.

 

[JohnW2]

For me, there's nothing much, if anything, between them. More importantly is a "proper" system, i.e. no air being drawn in, no leaks and filled with inhibitor. Pegler get a better reputation, but again, in reality, not a deal breaker if you can get better sizes from screwfix.

Thanks. I suppose that's what I expected. Is there appreciable difference between the appearance of the three brands of rads I mentioned. If not, I suppose I could also 'mix and match'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[denso13]

Is there appreciable difference between the appearance of the three brands of rads I mentioned.

Not really, no. All pretty much the same for a standard radiator.

 

[muggles]

Kartell K-Rad are my go-to, available through all good merchants or online at Crown DIY

 

[ChrisJP]

Prorad radiators are available from online suppliers at much cheaper prices than charged by the likes of Wickes, Toolstation and our host. Stelrad are similarly cheaper online and appear identical to Prorad, but the decorative sides and tops are fixed with a fussier arrangement of plastic plugs, while the Prorad ones just clip into place neatly.
Just Google Prorad and a number of online suppliers will pop up and you also get a much larger choice of sizes and of types 11 (single radiator, single convector), 21 (double radiator, single convector) and 22 (double radiator, double convector)

 

[JohnW2]

Kartell K-Rad are my go-to, available through all good merchants or online at Crown DIY

Thanks, but is this price list serious (clicvk here) ..... I could do most of the house with rads from one of the places I mentioned for the price of one or two of those Kartell ones - for example a 500 x 1800 T22 for £966 + VAT

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

Prorad radiators are available from online suppliers at much cheaper prices than charged by the likes of Wickes, Toolstation and our host. Stelrad are similarly cheaper online and appear identical to Prorad, but the decorative sides and tops are fixed with a fussier arrangement of plastic plugs, while the Prorad ones just clip into place neatly.

Thanks, I'll have a look.

Just Google Prorad and a number of online suppliers will pop up and you also get a much larger choice of sizes and of types 11 (single radiator, single convector), 21 (double radiator, single convector) and 22 (double radiator, double convector)

As I said, I'm likely to be using all Type 22 one.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

Prorad radiators are available from online suppliers at much cheaper prices than charged by the likes of Wickes, Toolstation and our host. Stelrad are similarly cheaper online and appear identical to Prorad ....

I've now had a quick look. Prorad are, of course, made by Stelrad, as are the 'Homeline' ones sold by Wickes.

Just Google Prorad and a number of online suppliers will pop up and you also get a much larger choice of sizes and of types ....

I've only had a fairly quick look but, in general, the prices seem to be similar to, or higher than, those from the places I've mentioned. Also, it might just be 'bad luck', but I have yet to find any suppliers offering Prorad ones wider than about 1400 mm, wheras Wickes offer Stelrad's 'Homeline' ones up to 2000 mm..

Kind Regards, John

 

[muggles]

Thanks, but is this price list serious (clicvk here) ..... I could do most of the house with rads from one of the places I mentioned for the price of one or two of those Kartell ones - for example a 500 x 1800 T22 for £966 + VAT

Kind Regards, John

That's just meaningless list prices. Crown have the radiator you mention for £195

 

[JohnW2]

That's just meaningless list prices. Crown have the radiator you mention for £195

They do, but it claims to be a 'sale' ("Reduced by 73% - save £520.04" ). Do I take it that this is a 'permanent sale'?

This allegedly 'reduced by 73% price is in the same ballpark as Wickes and Screwfix (Toolstation don't do rads that wide) for a 500 x 1800 mm T22.

 

[ericmark]

I had to change one rad when I moved in here, but changed all the lock shield and TRV's. And had to get TRV's with mechanical heads then change the heads for programmable type, which seemed a real shame to get all these TRV heads which would end up in the bin.

I still got it wrong, the idea was Nest would connect to Energenie heads, so use them in key locations, and then use cheaper eQ-3 heads in less important rooms. But the Nest did not connect to Energenie and only just got around to fitting Drayton Wiser.

If Wickes or Screw fix does a deal for bulk buying, OK, but if not, just get what you can from where you can.

 

[JohnW2]

I had to change one rad when I moved in here, but changed all the lock shield and TRV's. And had to get TRV's with mechanical heads then change the heads for programmable type, which seemed a real shame to get all these TRV heads which would end up in the bin. .... I still got it wrong, the idea was Nest would connect to Energenie heads, so use them in key locations, and then use cheaper eQ-3 heads in less important rooms. But the Nest did not connect to Energenie and only just got around to fitting Drayton Wiser.

Definitely old-fangled TRVs for me

If Wickes or Screw fix does a deal for bulk buying, OK, but if not, just get what you can from where you can.

I'm not aware of any 'bulk buying' deals in the sense you mean - only (sometimes) for buying several or many of exactly the same product. However, as I've said both Screwfix and Toolstation (but not Wickes) are currently offering free TRVs (which they normally sell for £20 - £24) when one buys rads.

 

[muggles]

Yeah that's their discount off the list price