Towel radiators are innovative and appealing bathroom installations and come in a number of shapes and styles. This makes them highly versatile and suited to a wide range of bathrooms. They are also incredibly convenient, and perfect companion utilities for spaces featuring baths and showers in particular. For those looking to increase the value of a property, towel rails are excellent bathroom features to add in order to see that price rise.

The main obstacle homeowners face when it comes to towel rails is installation. The process can seem daunting to the uninitiated, and the first instinct of many is to consult a professional for help. While understandable – and certainly not a wrong move to make – it is perfectly possible to fit a towel radiator yourself. All you need are the correct tools and the right know-how.

This guide has been put together to take you through the steps leading up to – and including – the installation of a towel radiator. We’ll look at the benefits of a towel radiator, the tools you’ll need, and the process itself, which can be completed in just 10 easy steps. Read on and find out more on how to get your ideal towel radiator fitted!

A towel radiator is designed for use in the bathroom. At first glance, they are simple towel rails and indeed function in much the same way. However, they are vastly superior to standard towel rails in that they are heated in the same way as radiators are – and this is a great way to dry and warm your towels. This means that your towels are no longer damp and cold after the first use and are instead comfortable and warm.

Towel radiators are also great for improving the general atmosphere in a bathroom, helping to combat damp and moisture more efficiently than alternatives. This is in part due to the fact that towel radiators – being more recent innovations – are more effective and efficient in warming up themselves and the room they are situated in than, say, radiators from 20 or 30 years ago.

Towel radiators come in numerous shapes, sizes, and finishes. They also come in two main types – electric and plumbed. Both of these variations also happen to be the two main types of radiators. In the case of towel radiators, a third option exists – a dual radiator, which offers the best of both worlds as it is connected to both an electrical system and your plumbed heating system. We will be looking at plumbed radiators for the majority of this guide, as the installation process contains several more steps than more straightforward electrical towel radiators.

In order to install your towel radiator, you’re going to need a few key tools. These will be used throughout the process, so be sure to have them all to hand before making a start. You don’t want to begin your project only to have to abandon it on account of lacking the correct equipment. Most of the tools you will need are standard DIY tools, while others are more specialised for the role. You may need to purchase these tools before beginning.

The tools you will need to fit a towel radiator are:

• Towel Radiator Kit
• Adjustable Spanner
• Spirit Level
• Pipe Cutter or Hacksaw
• Bucket or Towel
• Radiator Valves
• PTFE Tape
• Plumber’s Tape
• Sealant
• Drill and Drill Bits
• Wall Plugs and Screws
• Pencil

1. Begin by turning off your heating – this is extremely important as you are at risk of serious injury if this is not done beforehand. You will need to allow it to cool down too, so wait a couple of hours between turning off the system and starting your project.
2. Remove your old radiator – use an adjustable spanner for this step. Loosen the nuts that connect your old radiator to your pipework. Don’t forget to place a bucket or towel underneath the pipes where you are creating these gaps, as water will undoubtedly still be in the system. Be careful just in case it is still hot.
3. Prepare your wall – you will need your spirit level and a pencil for this step. Mark out the desired position for your new radiator on the wall you intend to install it on. You will need to make sure that it is an appropriate height for optimal efficiency (as well as aesthetical appeal!)
4. Drill holes and insert wall plugs – these will be where the brackets that support your radiator will be attached, so it is vital that the holes and plugs work in tandem to create a secure spot on which to hang the radiator itself.
5. Assemble the new radiator – don’t worry about hanging the radiator on your wall just yet – simply piece the different components together per the manufacturer’s instructions. If your radiator came without instructions, you would need to contact the manufacturer as the majority of radiators are designed differently. Don’t forget to attach the brackets to the back of the radiator.
6. Fit your radiator valves – if your valves weren’t included in your radiator kit, then this is where you would install your own separately bought valves onto the bottom of the radiator, using your PTFE tape to ensure a watertight seal.
7. Connect up your pipes – you should use a pipe cutter – or alternatively a hacksaw – to cut the pipes to the required length. You will then need to attach the valves to the pipes, and then connect them to the radiator. PTFE tape should be utilised when sealing any joints.
8. Secure the radiator – lifting it onto your installed brackets, ensure it is level. You can then secure it to the wall using screws and your spirit level to ensure everything is stable and aligned.
9. Bleed your radiator – this is another important step to ensure full functionality. Use a bleed key on your radiator to release any trapped air. Close it quickly as soon as the water starts to flow. There is more information in our "How to bleed radiators" guide.
10. Turn your heating back on – watch carefully for any leaks. Tighten or tape any joints if necessary.

And there you have it – a newly installed towel radiator for your bathroom! Your fitting process will hopefully have been completed without a problem, but what if this wasn’t the case? There are a number of problems that may have occurred, though the majority can be avoided with the correct planning. However, even the most prepared DIY enthusiast can run into unexpected problems, and the severity of the issue will determine your next steps.

If the problem is minor, and you can retrace the steps above in order to work out where you went wrong, then you can simply do that. On the other hand, if the problem has damaged your radiator, your wall, or your pipework, you may want to call in a professional instead of trying to fix the issue yourself. There are plenty to choose from, and installing a towel radiator is a fairly straightforward task for most that may well be completed in one day, depending on the circumstances of your project.

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Enjoy your new towel radiator!