As a traditional way to heat indoor spaces, the cast iron radiator has not lost popularity in many parts of the world. New advancements in technology gave us ultra-modern and efficient radiators made from new kinds of materials, but the old cast iron radiators are still sought after for a lot of renovation projects.
You may be looking for a traditional cast iron radiator for one of the following projects:
1. In a renovation of a client's home or property, as part of a specifically styled renovation project.
2. In a restoration of a historic building, as part of what planners sometimes call "era authenticity."
3. In designing an office space for a specific historic effect or in an authentic period style.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find salvage stores with websites to find antique cast iron radiators
One place to find old authentic cast iron residential radiators is in shops that have both a traditional location and an online presence. No matter where you are, you can always contact these dealers and see if they have a historic antique cast iron radiator that you would like to import for use in your project.
I recommend: New England Demolition and Salvage claims 50,000 square feet of old hardware. The store serves the Massachusetts area. Near Washington D.C., take a look at the
Brass Knob, the website specializes in products for reconstructions and renovations, including antique cast iron radiators.
Look for comprehensive dealers of cast iron radiators with detailed web pages
A few online suppliers deal specifically in new or used cast iron radiators. Buyers can find many styles and models online with pricing and descriptive images.
I recommend: The site at
Old Cast Iron Radiators has numerous kinds of models for sale including the Victorian series, as well as "new style" models in a variety of styles and sizes.
Find sites with cast iron heating evaluations and consulting data
Some companies include advice on home or office cast iron heating on their websites. If you have done scant homework on your renovation, you may want to read what they have to say.
I recommend: Beautiful Radiators has some tips for home heaters on their website, as well as product details for some specially decorative cast iron radiator models. For more information on home heating, check out the web presence of
This Old House, where browsers get tips on efficient design for residential radiators.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Do some quick heating estimates. Before buying, make sure you've done a little evaluation of how much heating you need. For many home improvement projects, you'll want to do "triage" to decide which rooms need heat the most and which ones can do without or are heated by sunlight. You'll gain a lot by strategizing the placement of your cast iron radiator units in the building.
The official source of Cast Iron Radiators is the Cast Iron Radiators page at Business.com
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