Modern batteries attract the attention of homeowners with their ability to provide increased heat transfer. At the same time, it is hardly possible to call them an adornment of stylish interior design. It is often necessary to hide radiators behind decorative grilles and screens, thereby reducing the efficiency of the heating system.
Today, manufacturers offer a wide variety of design forms for modern cast iron radiators in retro style. A review of the models will help you make your choice.
Features of retro cast iron batteries
Cast iron batteries can look like steel and aluminum products in a modern industrial style. But the main advantage of the devices lies in the stylistic variety of section shapes and relief patterns on the cast surface.
Advantages
There are countless types of cast iron heat exchangers. You can choose a suitable device for almost any interior. Moreover, a trivial heating radiator becomes a separate original stylistic accessory.
Cast iron batteries have a number of other advantages:
- They do not require maintenance throughout their entire service life.
- Massiveness and large internal volume increase the thermal inertia of the heating system. This is an ideal option for use in combination with heated floors.
- Cast iron is resistant to corrosion, so thick walls will not rust even after fifty years of use.
- The variety of section sizes and connecting center distances makes it easy to select batteries for almost any interior.
- Large internal cavities are not clogged with mud deposits.
- The reliability of the design allows the operation of a steam heating system at a coolant temperature of up to 150 degrees Celsius.
- Manufacturers provide a guarantee of 10–15 years, but the actual service life most often exceeds half a century.
- Cast iron appliances are equally effective in heating systems with forced and natural circulation of coolant.
- Products are painted in a factory. High-quality enamel is resistant to mechanical damage, does not fade, or crack from repeated temperature changes.
In summer, the heating system must be filled with coolant to prevent air access and corrosion of metal surfaces. In practice, due to poor-quality shut-off valves and repair work, water leaks out and the metal rusts faster. Only cast iron sections successfully cope with this problem.
Flaws
Cast iron heaters must be installed taking into account their disadvantages. First of all, you should pay attention to the strength of the walls. If it is not possible to securely fix the brackets for suspended structures, then you need to choose floor-mounted radiators.
Other disadvantages:
- automatic temperature control systems must be adapted to the inertia of cast iron batteries;
- when used together with heated floors, it is necessary to connect the heaters to a higher temperature heat source;
- the operating pressure in the heating network should be within 4–6 bar;
- the large internal volume increases the time it takes to fill the system with water;
- inclined and horizontal stiffening ribs contribute to the accumulation of dust;
- heavy weight makes transportation and installation difficult;
- Retro-style products are more expensive than aluminum and steel ones.
When designing heating using retro radiators on legs, you should provide special channels under the floor for laying pipes. They must be as reliable as possible, since visual inspection of leaks will be impossible.
Finishing radiators, or how to decorate a cast iron radiator
Many houses still have cast iron heating radiators, and their owners are in no hurry to say goodbye to them. And this is not without reason! After all, they have a lot of advantages that can well satisfy the needs of a private owner in heating his premises. One of the disadvantages of such products is considered to be a low level of aesthetics, however, this is a fixable matter and what their creators did not provide to the radiators, you can always do it yourself. Finishing radiators - this is what will be discussed in this article.
Modern cast iron radiators
Now you will learn how you can turn simple and unsightly products into beautiful heating batteries with virtually no material costs.
Comparison with other types of batteries
Taking into account the lower cost of more technologically advanced modern heating devices made of steel and aluminum, one must take into account their lower durability. They rust faster from the inside, so they will have to be replaced more often during major repairs. Cast iron retro heating radiators are an excellent option for rooms decorated in an antique style using fine wood, marble, and expensive accessories.
Does it make sense to change a design that has been proven over many decades of good service? The operating principle and internal structure of cast iron batteries remain almost the same as a hundred years ago. But when the need arises to replace reliable heating devices with more modern ones, you need to pay attention to alternative options.
Heaters are made from the following materials:
- aluminum;
- steel;
- bimetal;
- cast iron.
Aluminum creates galvanic couples with other conjugated metals. This greatly accelerates corrosion and reduces trouble-free service life. In bimetallic radiators this disadvantage is especially pronounced.
With periodic heating using units for burning solid organic fuel, massive radiators retain heat longer. On the other hand, using aluminum or steel batteries can warm up the room faster.
Modern heating devices have other advantages compared to cast iron:
- improved thermal conductivity;
- slight inertia;
- lighter weight for easier installation;
- minimum internal volume for coolant;
- low cost.
The design features of the batteries made of steel and aluminum allow the installation of individual thermostats that automatically select the most economical room heating mode. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the quality of the coolant: install filters, soften the water, using chemical reagents.
In summer, the system must be completely filled with water. If the liquid leaks, then in conditions of humidity and access to oxygen, corrosion processes will significantly accelerate, the metal will rust, and major repairs will have to be done ahead of time with the replacement of individual sections or radiators.
What is decoupage and how did it appear?
Today, photos of decoupage heating batteries can be found everywhere - both on the Internet and in the catalogs of designers who so kindly offer their services in such a simple matter at a high cost. Why pay more if you can do it yourself, although more on that a little later, but now let’s dive into history to see when decoupage appeared, and also what they were used for.
Art originated in China at the dawn of the 12th century, and subsequently smoothly migrated to Europe, where it was most widely used in France. The method is based on cutting out various shapes or patterns from fabric, leather or paper, and then gluing them onto some surface.
In those days, decoupage was performed on:
In general, as soon as China shared the art, Europeans immediately began to apply it wherever possible. Well, today this method has smoothly transferred to radiators, allowing owners of private houses to decoupage heating radiators with their own hands without the help of designers.
Recommendations for selection
The price of cast iron retro batteries depends on the design - the complexity of the cast surface, the bas-relief pattern, and the quality of painting.
The technical characteristics of radiators are important:
- height;
- width;
- depth of sections;
- thermal power value.
Maximum durability of a painted surface can only be achieved if certain conditions are met. After applying special dyes, the products are placed in thermal chambers for drying at high temperatures and controlled humidity. It is impossible to replicate this technology at home, so it is more profitable to purchase ready-to-install cast iron batteries.
For the initial calculation of the number of devices, the specific power coefficient of the heating system is used, which is taken equal to 100 W/m2. If the room area is 90 m2, then 9000 W of heat will be required. If the average thermal power of one section is 150 W, then you will need to buy 60 sections. They are connected and placed most often under window sills. If there are six windows with the same dimensions, then you get 6 heating devices from 10 sections.
When calculating the required number of heating radiators, specific climatic conditions must be taken into account. It is obvious that in the Arctic Circle the winter frosts are stronger than in the central part of Russia. Calculations are made for each room separately. Then a safety factor is added to the power of the heating devices, which is 10–15%.
Criterias of choice:
- The design of the battery must match the interior of the room.
- Cost is often a deciding factor.
- Heat dissipation directly affects the number of batteries. The greater the efficiency of the radiator, the fewer sections will be required.
- Reliability must be guaranteed by the manufacturer.
- Durability of cast iron radiators (tested by time).
- The size depends on the number of sections, as well as on the height of the window sill, where the batteries are most often installed.
- Weight is only important during transportation and preparation for installation. If the walls are made of lightweight concrete, then you need to choose a floor option with legs.
For heating a cottage, the operating pressure in the system is insignificant, but in multi-story buildings it reaches high values. It is worth taking this factor into account and looking at the permissible pressure specified by the manufacturer in the product data sheet.
Possible decoration options
If you ask a homeowner how he can quickly, effectively and most importantly inexpensively make beautiful heating radiators in his home, he will most likely have difficulty answering.
And the box just opened...
Decoupage of an old battery
In fact, there are a lot of options that will help transform your heating devices, giving them completeness and exclusivity. Let's list all the possible methods that can help create beauty and finally complement the interior design of a room:
Important! Decorating by painting radiators is a rather labor-intensive and painstaking process, so not every owner of a private home will want to use this method. In addition, advice immediately follows from this - use painting if your heating system is at the construction stage or you are going to repair radiators.
Important! When creating a screen, you need to select materials so that they do not create obstacles to the flow of warm air, otherwise the room will not warm up well enough.
And now the most interesting part - because next we will talk about how to finish heating radiators with your own hands. Let's take a closer look at the simplest, most economical type of decoration - decoupage, namely, where it is used and how it can be done at home.
Review of retro radiator manufacturers
High-quality cast iron casting, the original shape of the sections, and the stylishness of the patterned ornament create the unique attractiveness of the new type of cast iron batteries. Their price is higher than standard models. At the same time, the antique design of heating devices organically complements the classic, Gothic or English style of room decor.
You can buy retro cast iron radiators in a budget version or order an exclusive design with a bas-relief ornament, patination or artificial aging of the surface. The cost of products is greatly influenced by the scale of production. Some models are made only to order, which significantly increases their price. Especially when compared with the cost of standard Soviet-style products. For example, one Russian-made MS-140 section can be purchased for 380 rubles.
Retro Style
A Russian brand that produces several collections of cast iron radiators in various styles: Empire, Rococo, Classicism, Baroque. The company provides an ordering service for painting batteries in accordance with customer preferences. You can choose imitation antique silver, Gzhel, red gold, bronze and other options.
The cost of one section of a vintage two-channel Retro Style Anerli is 16,367 rubles.
A battery of 5 low-profile multi-channel Retro Style Bolton sections can be purchased for RUB 19,219.
The Retro Style Chester cast iron radiator costs 41,696 rubles for 5 sections.
Prices for cast iron radiators Retro Style
cast iron radiators Retro Style
Guratec
The high-quality heating devices made in Germany are designed in a retro style. The surface of the sections is protected with powder paint that is resistant to mechanical damage. Before being sent to consumers, products are tested on hydraulic stands.
The Guratec Fortuna series radiator, priced from 140 euros per section, is decorated with a beautiful vine ornament, images of dragons, lions and angels. The patterned surface of the batteries, painted to match the decor, will decorate a classic interior.
Prices for cast iron radiators Guratec
cast iron radiators Guratec
Roca
The representative of the Spanish industry has a hundred-year history of development. The first products were produced by the plant in 1917. Manufactures a diverse range of heating devices from aluminum, steel and cast iron with a retro design. The Epoca model is popular - a battery of 6 cast iron sections, which sells for 29,420 rubles.
Demir Dokum
The factories of the Turkish manufacturer are equipped with automated production lines in accordance with modern European standards. Now you can buy in Moscow any of six models, which are presented in different standard sizes.
The products are distinguished by excellent performance characteristics, have a magnificent appearance, so they can decorate any interior. One section of the Demir Dokum Historic model costs 3,981 rubles.
Prices for cast iron radiators Demir Dokum
cast iron radiators Demir Dokum
Conner Modern
The products of the Russian manufacturer in the Art Nouveau style have good heat transfer rates. Products are manufactured using modern technologies. At a very reasonable price, domestic cast iron radiators are not inferior to European ones in terms of workmanship. The cost of a six-section Modern-500 series radiator is 4,080 rubles.
The final price of a cast iron retro battery depends not only on the number of sections, the popularity of the chosen model, and the product manufacturer. A kit completely ready for installation will cost more, but will serve more reliably and longer.
Reliability and durability
Heating batteries can be steel, copper-aluminum or simply aluminum, bimetallic and cast iron, but only the latter have passed the test of time and proven high reliability. For example, today the oldest, but properly functioning cast iron radiator in the heating system, which was produced and installed 108 years ago, is officially registered. Today, manufacturers of retro radiators use modern technologies for melting cast iron and casting batteries of various shapes with spectacular relief patterns. Heating devices are subjected to special kiln firing, priming and drying in special chambers.
Rules for installing retro batteries
You can begin installing radiators only after checking the connections between sections. Tightness is ensured by gaskets made of heat-resistant rubber or paronite. The batteries are placed at a distance of 30–50 mm from the wall to ensure convective heat exchange. Systems with natural circulation are installed with pipes sloping in the direction of coolant movement.
To carry out proper installation, you must be guided by the “Building Norms and Rules” (SNiP):
- Determine the exact location for installing the radiators.
- Install brackets for pendant batteries.
- Equip radiators with plugs, air release valves, shut-off valves, and adapters.
- Install the heating devices in their places.
- Install the piping.
- Connect the radiators to the inlet and outlet pipes of the heating system.
- Remove the protective film from the surface of the sections.
The connection of heating devices to the heating system depends on the chosen flow pattern of the coolant, as well as on the location of the main pipeline in multi-storey buildings: with lower wiring in the basement or with upper wiring - on the technical upper floor.
There are three main ways to connect radiators:
- Bottom connection. Most often used in cottages. This method allows you to hide pipes under the floor and favorably emphasizes the aesthetics of designer radiator models.
- Lateral connection. Used for heating systems in multi-storey buildings. The supply pipe is connected to the upper futark, and the return pipe is connected to the lower one. This is the most efficient connection scheme in terms of heat transfer from radiators.
- Diagonal method. It is used for two-pipe horizontal distribution for one-story buildings. The supply pipe is connected to the top of the heating device on one side, and the return pipe is connected to the bottom on the other side.
To connect radiators to the pipes of the heating system, valves and taps are used, stylized as antique designs. Products of this type are manufactured by Italian companies Carlo Poletti and Rubinetterie.
Restoration of old radiators
High-quality cast iron products sometimes last more than 100 years. During the major reconstruction of ancient buildings, valuable rare pieces of heating equipment made in the 20th or even 19th century are discovered.
To give a second life to an old cast iron battery, you need to perform a few simple operations:
- Remove the radiator and move it outside the building.
- Disassemble the device into separate sections. A special liquid will help soften rusted threads.
- Remove old paint from the surface. While heating the section evenly with the flame of a blowtorch, remove many years of deposits with a spatula and a flat-head screwdriver. Residues are cleaned off with emery cloth.
- Rinse the internal cavities of the sections with tap water under maximum pressure.
- Drain the water and dry the radiator.
- Assemble the battery using new nipples and paronite gaskets, install plugs.
- Degrease all surfaces with solvent.
- Then prime and paint the radiator.
- After complete drying, install and connect the battery.
The updated cast iron radiator will be able to serve its intended purpose for many years to come. At the same time, it will still delight its owners with its unique design. Read about bricks for stoves on our website.
Where can I buy everything I need for decoupage?
Decoupage tools
You shouldn’t have any questions about where you can get glue and brushes for painting, because you can buy them at any office supply store. The problem is that not everyone knows the places that offer a selection of interesting napkins with bright designs. To do this, just visit a large store specializing in household goods. As a rule, it contains a large selection of napkins - this is where you are guaranteed to select the appropriate material for decoupage.
It is best to buy paint and varnish materials in stores that sell products for artists. There on the shelves you can find a variety of options, with different effects - matte, glossy, etc. When choosing, be guided by the goals that decoupage should fulfill:
Remember! The varnish must be heat-resistant and can easily withstand temperatures of at least 150 degrees.
Well, for fine-grained sandpaper, it’s best to go to a hardware store, and then from the offered assortment choose the cheapest option for cleaning the surface of your cast-iron battery.
This concludes the question: how to create colored heating radiators in a private house - you can close it, because now you know such a unique method as decoupage.
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